Just plain embarassing...
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 147
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From: Maple- NE corner of NC
While driving?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 147
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From: Maple- NE corner of NC
Okay I just did the test. My front drive shaft is NOT spinning while the hubs are locked and in 2 wd.
It is spinning in 4 wd.
I tried to spin out the tires in some gravel while in 4 hi and 4 lo, but I got only the backs spinning.
I spoke to a couple of other guys independently and they both said they thought the front drive shaft would not spin by simply locking the hubs...?
Are you sure the shaft will spin if only the hubs are locked?
It is spinning in 4 wd.
I tried to spin out the tires in some gravel while in 4 hi and 4 lo, but I got only the backs spinning.
I spoke to a couple of other guys independently and they both said they thought the front drive shaft would not spin by simply locking the hubs...?
Are you sure the shaft will spin if only the hubs are locked?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 147
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From: Maple- NE corner of NC
Wow that's amazing. Okay. They guys that were talking to me were like, "Nah. Locking the hubs will not make the front drive shaft turn." he seemed positive too. Oh well. Interesting to note. Replace or clean the hubs...
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 672
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From: NJ
These are all good suggestions. I think the best/safest way to check if hubs are locked is to grab behind the wheel at the u-joint on the end of the axle, and try to turn it by hand. If it turns, they're free. If it doesn't, they're locked.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 147
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From: Maple- NE corner of NC
That was interesting. I followed your advice, I think, and found another problem.
I kept trying to turn the passenger u-joint, but it wouldn't budge. I tried locking the hubs and turning, and obvoiusly it was still stuck. So I thought it would be a good idea to check the driver side.
THE U-JOINT IS LIKE UNATTACHED OR SOMETHING? WHAT THE HECK?
I started hearing a little clanging about 4-5 days ago, and just ignored it. Well the u-joint has somehow not stiffly connected to the inside of the hub...?
What do I do now?
I kept trying to turn the passenger u-joint, but it wouldn't budge. I tried locking the hubs and turning, and obvoiusly it was still stuck. So I thought it would be a good idea to check the driver side.
THE U-JOINT IS LIKE UNATTACHED OR SOMETHING? WHAT THE HECK?
I started hearing a little clanging about 4-5 days ago, and just ignored it. Well the u-joint has somehow not stiffly connected to the inside of the hub...?
What do I do now?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Okay I just did the test. My front drive shaft is NOT spinning while the hubs are locked and in 2 wd.
It is spinning in 4 wd.
I tried to spin out the tires in some gravel while in 4 hi and 4 lo, but I got only the backs spinning.
I spoke to a couple of other guys independently and they both said they thought the front drive shaft would not spin by simply locking the hubs...?
Are you sure the shaft will spin if only the hubs are locked?
It is spinning in 4 wd.
I tried to spin out the tires in some gravel while in 4 hi and 4 lo, but I got only the backs spinning.
I spoke to a couple of other guys independently and they both said they thought the front drive shaft would not spin by simply locking the hubs...?
Are you sure the shaft will spin if only the hubs are locked?
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 147
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From: Maple- NE corner of NC
I actually get it. In short, locking the hubs will engage the front drive shaft even in 2wd. Got it ExV10. Thanks.
The major issue now is behind the hubs, the connection between the u-joint and the back of the wheel/hub is VERY loose on one side? When I tried to turn the u-joint by hand the joint just wobbled... oh boy.
I would suspect that is the real problem with the 4wd. The u-joint somehow came disonnected from the backside of the driverside wheel/hub.
Any suggestions?
The major issue now is behind the hubs, the connection between the u-joint and the back of the wheel/hub is VERY loose on one side? When I tried to turn the u-joint by hand the joint just wobbled... oh boy.
I would suspect that is the real problem with the 4wd. The u-joint somehow came disonnected from the backside of the driverside wheel/hub.
Any suggestions?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Those joints should spin freely but if you can move the joint up and down with a big screwdriver the needle bearings are probably shot. Did you take the outer hubs apart yet. Also; jack it up and shake the top of the wheel back and forth hard.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 147
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From: Maple- NE corner of NC
No. I haven't done the hubs yet. The joints wouldn't spin. I put on leather gloves and pulled and got nothing. When I got to the driver side the joint wobbles easily. I can see where it fits into the hub, but it has pulled out or something. Thanks for the help. I will probably take it in tomorrow.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 3
From: Eastern CT.
Hmmm you may have a bad/broken axel u-joint or a busted axel,,I hope the HACKER'S have not gotten too your truck !!!!!
It has been messed with,,,big lift and tires,,,may even have a Broken/Blown front differential !!
I have seen some weird stuff,,,like a 4x4 Payloader,,with no front differential guts,,or a backhoe with no parts to make the Diff/Lock work (locks the rear wheels together),,,like I said HACKER'S!
It has been messed with,,,big lift and tires,,,may even have a Broken/Blown front differential !!
I have seen some weird stuff,,,like a 4x4 Payloader,,with no front differential guts,,or a backhoe with no parts to make the Diff/Lock work (locks the rear wheels together),,,like I said HACKER'S!
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 147
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From: Maple- NE corner of NC
Yea, I hope it hasn't been HACKED also. It looks like the u-joint has pulled away from the back of the hub... I just went ahead and dropped it off at the offroad place and am waiting to hear from them. I think the guy said the part was like $400. Wow.