help with 4-wheel drive
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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help with 4-wheel drive
Can someone explain to me what is wrong with my 4-wheel drive? I have a 2000 X and I've always switched it to 4-wheel drive by using the **** on the dash. But I can't even get out of my driveway and am wondering if somehow it isn't kicked in or not?
Even my wife's mini van makes it up our driveway without spinning her tires and I just sit and spin. Do I need to turn the "dial" on the front wheel hubs? I've never had problems like this before.
Thanks for any help,
Joe
Even my wife's mini van makes it up our driveway without spinning her tires and I just sit and spin. Do I need to turn the "dial" on the front wheel hubs? I've never had problems like this before.
Thanks for any help,
Joe
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
I'm sorry but that is incorrect.
Now that's correct. 
But they may just need a bit of cleaning.
Joe, try and turn the dials and see if it goes into 4WD. Whatever happens, report back and we'll help you from there.
stock hubs on your truck tend to bind up. and if you cant easily turn the ur hub by hand they may need to be replaced.
But they may just need a bit of cleaning.Joe, try and turn the dials and see if it goes into 4WD. Whatever happens, report back and we'll help you from there.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 6
From: Eastern PA
Vacuum leaks tend to be the common problem associated with the auto-locking hubs on the excursions. Put your front vents on, turn to 4wd. If the vents stop blowing and start blowing on defroster, it's vacuum leak. Mine are intermittent. If the **** doesn't work, I get out and do it by hand. I need a pair of pliers to do it though.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
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From: Mt. Shasta California
Vacuum leaks tend to be the common problem associated with the auto-locking hubs on the excursions. Put your front vents on, turn to 4wd. If the vents stop blowing and start blowing on defroster, it's vacuum leak. Mine are intermittent. If the **** doesn't work, I get out and do it by hand. I need a pair of pliers to do it though.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 415
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From: Long Island - NY
Vacuum leaks tend to be the common problem associated with the auto-locking hubs on the excursions. Put your front vents on, turn to 4wd. If the vents stop blowing and start blowing on defroster, it's vacuum leak. Mine are intermittent. If the **** doesn't work, I get out and do it by hand. I need a pair of pliers to do it though.
Now for a silly question ... How do you know if only one of the front wheels locks/unlocks up automatically ( without turning the hub ) instead of both. For instance if it seems to lock up both front wheels using the dial inside the cab and then when setting it back to 2wd -> how can you be sure that the 2 front wheels both unlocked and not just one of them and the other stayed locked ?
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
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From: Michigan
Can someone explain to me what is wrong with my 4-wheel drive? I have a 2000 X and I've always switched it to 4-wheel drive by using the **** on the dash. But I can't even get out of my driveway and am wondering if somehow it isn't kicked in or not?
Even my wife's mini van makes it up our driveway without spinning her tires and I just sit and spin. Do I need to turn the "dial" on the front wheel hubs? I've never had problems like this before.
Thanks for any help,
Joe
Even my wife's mini van makes it up our driveway without spinning her tires and I just sit and spin. Do I need to turn the "dial" on the front wheel hubs? I've never had problems like this before.
Thanks for any help,
Joe
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
That is some real good info !
Now for a silly question ... How do you know if only one of the front wheels locks/unlocks up automatically ( without turning the hub ) instead of both. For instance if it seems to lock up both front wheels using the dial inside the cab and then when setting it back to 2wd -> how can you be sure that the 2 front wheels both unlocked and not just one of them and the other stayed locked ?
Now for a silly question ... How do you know if only one of the front wheels locks/unlocks up automatically ( without turning the hub ) instead of both. For instance if it seems to lock up both front wheels using the dial inside the cab and then when setting it back to 2wd -> how can you be sure that the 2 front wheels both unlocked and not just one of them and the other stayed locked ?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 175
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Vacuum leaks tend to be the common problem associated with the auto-locking hubs on the excursions. Put your front vents on, turn to 4wd. If the vents stop blowing and start blowing on defroster, it's vacuum leak. Mine are intermittent. If the **** doesn't work, I get out and do it by hand. I need a pair of pliers to do it though.
I've tried that and I'm afraid I'm going to break it.
New User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 21
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Not to thread jack to op, but I have a question and the search feature hasn't provided me with a definitive answer. I've had my truck for about two years now and for the first time put it into 4wd over christmas. I could not back up an icy drive-way even with the dash switch turned to 4wd hi. I finally got out and turned the hubs to lock and cruised up the driveway. Sunday a similar situation. I was parked on a slight uphill grade, dash switched to 4wd hi, and moved nowhere, infact, i slid backwards trying to go forward. I got out, placed the hubs in lock, and moved with no problems. Is that how the 4wd system is supposed to work or do i have a problem? Also, in what conditions/for how long can you drive with the hubs in the locked position (from outside)?
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Joe...here's what you need. Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
...or you can just replace the hubs with manual hubs...but you'll lose the shift-on-the-fly feature...kinda. You can still use the switch but you'll have to either keep your hubs locked when you think you may need 4WD or lock them after you throw the switch inside.
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page...or you can just replace the hubs with manual hubs...but you'll lose the shift-on-the-fly feature...kinda. You can still use the switch but you'll have to either keep your hubs locked when you think you may need 4WD or lock them after you throw the switch inside.
