TSB 12-2-5 Front Hub Engagement
 

This TSB affects 2011/12 F250's to F550's built before 2/6/2012

Issue: Some of these vehicles equiped with 4X4 may exhibit a lack of engagement of the 4X4, not staying engaged and/or unlocking in extreme cold temperatures below -18 degrees Celsius or 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Service proceedure: change front axel jub seals, axel shaft snap rings, front knuckle seals, and replace the module (with or without electronic shift on the fly).

I experienced this issue recently and the dealer performed the work, however the problem has not been rectified. In fact, the temps lately have been just below freezing, and the ESOF won't work properly.

Back to the dealer she goes!

Sam

I'm having the same issue with my truck. Dealer can't find anything wrong and I've showed them a picture of my "Check 4WD" light which keeps coming on.

well aint that some ****.. I have just experienced this in the last couple weeks.
Thanks for the heads up.

the temps here have been in the minus 30s C pretty much every day.

Does this just affect the front hubs or does it also affect the transfer case? My truck was delivered with hubs that are either "automatic" or I can get out and twist the knob to a "lock" position. If I lock the hubs manually will that solve the symptom until the real problem can be addressed later - like when it's warmer?

Thanks!

It's the seals around the hubs. My problem turned out a bit worse as they had to replace one of the hubs too.

Sam

Locking the hubs manually should work. Not sure what driveability would be like with them always locked. I have read of guys who leave them locked all winter.
In my experience from this mornings commute to work is that once the bus warm up the hubs will lock.
I started my 45 min drive to work today in -34 degrees celcius cold. Truck in 4wd but the hubs not locking and by time I got to work everything was normal.

good to hear it is sorted out.
Thanks again for sharing.

Leaving the hubs locked should not effect anything except maybe a slight drop in mileage. Dodge/Ram (up till last year as the went with frontend disconnect as well now) And GM run the front end full time. I had 04 and 08 Dodge 4x4's one had 189,000Km when I traded and the other 155,000Km and they were as solid as the day I bought them new.

Yes, the hubs can still be locked manually if the electronics give grief.

Sam