4x4 confirmation
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Surprise, AZ
4x4 confirmation
Just wanted some confirmation on this. Last night I crossed a dry river bed that let me to soft, silty sand. I have crossed this 100 times before and never had problem, but this is the first time I actually needed to engage 4x4. Turned the **** to 4Hi from D, Shifted to N, turned **** to 4Lo, then shifted to 1. I felt the Tcase engage and expected to crawl out of my hole but the rear tires just spun. I jumped out and turned the hubs to Lock, but was again let down by just the rear tires spinning. My nephew was getting a little nervous and asked why the front tires turning if we were in 4 wheel drive. I'm sure its was because 4x4 won't engage from a dead stop, it needs a little forward motion for everything to "fall into place" and lock in. I have been told this before and it makes sense, just need a confirmation. Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Your hubs shold have locked by hand. You should not have to be rolling for it all to work. I would start by taking the hubs out and do a clean and grease job on them. You can reuse your old black seal if it is still good. It takes a little effort to keep the ESOF working but it is very worth it to me. Is the transfer case working?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I agree. Mine seems to lock instantly but it may take a little rolling to do it.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Surprise, AZ
I waited until I was good and stuck before driving, so I had no forward motion. Once I got enough sand shoveled out and pulled forward about 2-3 feet, the front drive kicked in. Of course, it still wouldn't hurt to service the hubs. Thanks for the info.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,519
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From: Wyandotte, Michigan
I always put it in 4x4 just in case I will need it. It's easier to take it out of 4x4 than it is to put it in when you can't move forward.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Michigan
The ESOF hubs that Ford used on the 1999 - 2004(or 05) SD and Excursions are a very poor design. His are not locking in automatically when the dash dial is turned to 4x4 (hi or low). This is either a vacuum leak or just the hub itself failure (they can be cleaned). The fact that when he turned the dial and it still wouldn't engage is because he was not able to get any forward motion going. An alternative would have been to simply reach under the vehicle and spin the axle u-joints to get them to engage when the hub is in the lock position. You do indeed need just the slightest turning motion from the axle to get the hub to lock (this is the same with my MileMarkers too). I switched to the MileMarkers after going through two sets of the Ford hubs. Not only is the vacuum mechanism a poor design, but they are not very strong. You can see this if you compare them to a quality hub like the MileMarker or a Warn.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 1
The ESOF hubs that Ford used on the 1999 - 2004(or 05) SD and Excursions are a very poor design. His are not locking in automatically when the dash dial is turned to 4x4 (hi or low). This is either a vacuum leak or just the hub itself failure (they can be cleaned). The fact that when he turned the dial and it still wouldn't engage is because he was not able to get any forward motion going. An alternative would have been to simply reach under the vehicle and spin the axle u-joints to get them to engage when the hub is in the lock position. You do indeed need just the slightest turning motion from the axle to get the hub to lock (this is the same with my MileMarkers too). I switched to the MileMarkers after going through two sets of the Ford hubs. Not only is the vacuum mechanism a poor design, but they are not very strong. You can see this if you compare them to a quality hub like the MileMarker or a Warn.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
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From: Michigan
I was just curious because I have been using the ESOF for 8 years and only issues were failed seal and broken vac. line. I got the dash light also but the hubs were never an issue. I was just wondering how to tell the hubs were bad with out disassembly. Might save me some time if mine fail. I normally service my hubs as guzzle site recommends every 3 or so years.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I love my ESOF. With a little maintenance they work fine and you can always lock them manually and spin the u-joints by hand in a rare emergency as rlh said. They have always worked flawlessly, and I don't have to jump out in the mud to work them.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
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From: Michigan
Neither do I with my MileMarkers. No problem driving around with the hubs locked. When you need 4x4, just turn the dial on the dash. I leave mine locked in almost all winter with the snow we get here.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 980
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From: Stuart, FL
FWIW, I have used my 4x4 twice. Two weeks ago i was driving down a dirt road and saw that it was muddy ahead so I flipped the switch and it went into 4WD no problem. I know it worked because i could feel the front wheels getting traction when I was doing my 3 point turn around.
I have the original hubs and 20k on the Ex.
I have the original hubs and 20k on the Ex.