Troubleshooting help, please--4x4 not working
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach, FL
Troubleshooting help, please--4x4 not working
05 Ex, v10, shift on the fly, auto hubs.
When I switch to 4 hi, light comes on, but no traction at the front. Also, no "hopping" when steering is turned tight.
Any good sequence to troubleshoot this?
(I searched, but didn't find anything).
When I switch to 4 hi, light comes on, but no traction at the front. Also, no "hopping" when steering is turned tight.
Any good sequence to troubleshoot this?
(I searched, but didn't find anything).
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach, FL
Any other ideas before I have to go pull the front wheels?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
First check to see if you have vacume in the lines at front hubs. Or at a rubber connector upstream from hubs.
If you do then the hubs are leaking, sticking, or binding up.
Clean & service the hubs. Replace the O-ring. Or replace the hub assembly.
if no vacume then trace back.
If you do then the hubs are leaking, sticking, or binding up.
Clean & service the hubs. Replace the O-ring. Or replace the hub assembly.
if no vacume then trace back.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 6
From: Eastern PA
Sit in your truck. Have the heat on full blast on vent. Switch to 4x4Hi. If, within 20 seconds, it switches to defrost, you have a vacuum leak. That was the problem iwth my 4 on the fly, and an easy way to determine if it's vacuum.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
You can tell if your hubs are locking by just reaching behind the front wheels and trying to rotate the axle by hand. If you can turn them, the hubs aren't locking.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach, FL
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Taylors, SC
Husky, FWIW, I went through this and decided to change out my vacuum hubs to the manual Mile Markers from Summit. It was the easiest thing I've done. Took about 30 minutes, tops. The vacuum line was plugged going to the hubs. Now I know for sure when I lock the hubs, they are locked, and also when I unlock them, they unlock. I no longer have the vacuum seals as a maintenance item.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Husky, FWIW, I went through this and decided to change out my vacuum hubs to the manual Mile Markers from Summit. It was the easiest thing I've done. Took about 30 minutes, tops. The vacuum line was plugged going to the hubs. Now I know for sure when I lock the hubs, they are locked, and also when I unlock them, they unlock. I no longer have the vacuum seals as a maintenance item.
Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
If you change your hubs to any other than OEM you loose the "on the fly" option.
They are manual hubs now.
You can however, leave your manual hubs engaged in bad weather and just use your dash switch for the transfer case engage function.
You will loose some economy as the shafts are turning when locked in.
I would also not switch to 4-wd on the fly with manual hubs.
It would be better to come to a stop then engage so any backlash potential damage is eliminated.
They are manual hubs now.
You can however, leave your manual hubs engaged in bad weather and just use your dash switch for the transfer case engage function.
You will loose some economy as the shafts are turning when locked in.
I would also not switch to 4-wd on the fly with manual hubs.
It would be better to come to a stop then engage so any backlash potential damage is eliminated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Husky, FWIW, I went through this and decided to change out my vacuum hubs to the manual Mile Markers from Summit. It was the easiest thing I've done. Took about 30 minutes, tops. The vacuum line was plugged going to the hubs. Now I know for sure when I lock the hubs, they are locked, and also when I unlock them, they unlock. I no longer have the vacuum seals as a maintenance item.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
If you change your hubs to any other than OEM you loose the "on the fly" option.
They are manual hubs now.
You can however, leave your manual hubs engaged in bad weather and just use your dash switch for the transfer case engage function.
You will loose some economy as the shafts are turning when locked in.
I would also not switch to 4-wd on the fly with manual hubs.
It would be better to come to a stop then engage so any backlash potential damage is eliminated.
They are manual hubs now.
You can however, leave your manual hubs engaged in bad weather and just use your dash switch for the transfer case engage function.
You will loose some economy as the shafts are turning when locked in.
I would also not switch to 4-wd on the fly with manual hubs.
It would be better to come to a stop then engage so any backlash potential damage is eliminated.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Bob
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
My 4 wheel drive wasn't working so I tried this after reading it and the 4 wheel drive started working. I was happy. especially after I drove on the roads today.