4-wheel drive will not engage
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
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4-wheel drive will not engage
I have vac. hubs and I can here a clunk noise when I turn the switch but the 4 wheel drive will not ingage. I jacked up the front end an engaged the 4 wheel drive but the front wheels will not move in drive or reverse. Please help............. snows getting deep
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,327
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Need a little more info. Is the 4x4 light coming on in the dash? Is the heater blowing through your dash vents or defrost vents? you may have to amnually engage your hubs for now.
Last edited by 60RatRod; Dec 17, 2008 at 01:58 PM. Reason: add info
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,327
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From: Las Vegas, NV
O.K. Im not sure here are a couple of links to read on they may or may not help
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page
Im sure someone will jump in here with a possible answer.
Have you tried to manually engage?
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page
Im sure someone will jump in here with a possible answer.
Have you tried to manually engage?
Last edited by 60RatRod; Dec 17, 2008 at 02:45 PM. Reason: add info
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Put the truck in 4x4, then climb under the truck and see if you can turn the front driveshaft. If it turns, the transfer case is not engaging. If the driveshaft does not turn, try turning the joints at each wheel. If they turn then you know it is the hubs that are not locking.
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Junior User
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Jacked the front end up with 4 wheel Dr turned on and in Drive. Tried to turn the drive shaft by hand but it would not turn. Turned 4 wheel drive off and put it in Neutral and turned drive shaft by hand and both front wheels turned.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,542
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From: Manhattan, KS
I have a similar issue. I did Guzzle's R&R of the needle bearings etc. A couple of days ago when it was nice and cold and we had snow the 4x4 would not work even locking the hubs manually. When I switch into 4x4 Hi with the engine off the front driveshaft will not turn. Turn it off and the shaft will turn. It will also shift into 4x4 low, but still now 4x4. My question, will the hubs still not engage manually if there is a problem with them?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,549
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From: Payson, AZ
If you put the hubs in the lock position they should be locked just like manual hubs regardless of any vacumm leaks. If you can turn the axle shaft by hand when hub is in lock position then the hub is not manually locked.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,542
Likes: 76
From: Manhattan, KS
I think the transfer case motor isn't working. I changed the relays around but that didn't help. It has been too cold to crawl under it and tear things apart, so I've just been using the old beater 78 Bronco. I had to use it to tow a delivery truck up our steep driveway today after he got stuck on the ice.
Post Fiend
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From: Payson, AZ
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
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From: Milroy, PA
The info in the first statement, means infact, that your transfercase shift motor is fine. Jack up one or both tires, have the truck in 4WD, and park, and lock in both hubs manually. IF you turn one wheel, and have both sides jacked up, the other wheel, should spin opposite of the direction your spinning it. If you have the other wheel on the ground, you should only be able to turn that wheel, untill both hubs lock in, which may take a quarter turn or so.
Theres a couple things to look at then. With both hubs manually locked in, and after youve turned the wheel a little, if the other side doesnt turn (with both sides in the air) or you can completely turn the one side (with the other end on the ground) look to see which axleshaft is not turning. And that will tell you which hub is bad. The fact you said you heard a pop, could have just been the transfercase motor shifting a little hard, but it also could mean you popped a hub. Try this, and get back to us.