I have a 1995 Ford F-150 Eddie Bauer Edition, Its got Push-button 4X4 High and Low with Auto-locking hubs. Here is my problem, I HAVE NO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE!!! I have good reason to beleave that the problem is in my hubs because when i turn on the 4X4 i can hear the front drivetrain wind up and lock in but i do not have power to the front wheels. i first noticed this when i went into the ditch my first time, Not fun, the left reer wheel was stuck and i noticed the front wheels had no power and were clicking. I have since then discovered no matter what i do i have no 4×4, this is a huge problem because i live in Minnesota and a 4×4 truck with no 4×4 is worthless. My question to all of you is what is wrong? If anybody else has had this problem please inform me as i would like to fix it SOON!! I was thinking of pulling the auto hubs and switching to manual locking hubs? Is this a good idea and do i need a kit? Thank you in advance fo all ya help!!
Yes Evan, i drive a full size pickup, i get 16 miles to the gallon which is better than my moms 04 SUV and my neighbors crown vic, if you dont wanna help my cause or simply wanna p!$$ people off you shouldnt be on Answers……
you can check out whats not working by jacking the front wheels off the ground, in 2×4 you should be able to spin the front drive shaft with your hand and if you spin a wheel on one side the other one will not spin. now put it in 4×4. with the truck in park you now shouldn’t be able to spin the front drive shaft. now start your engine (engine must run to have vacuum) and spin one of the wheels, the wheel on the other side should turn the the other way. if you can spin the drive shaft with 4×4 on and in park you either have a problem with the transfer case or a linkage (electric motor if you have electric 4×4) but if when engine is running and in 4×4 and the other wheel (other side then the one your spinning) does not spin your front diff is not locking in. it is vacuum operated. it can be a vacuum leak or something wrong with the vacuum solenoid. but more commonly the linkage from the vacuum solenoid to the diff seizes up. this can be fixed by removing the solenoid and spraying the spot where the linkage enters the transfer case with penetrating oil. now work it back and forth (you will need a wrench at first) keep working it and spraying it down with lube and it should ease up. once you can move it with you hand your 4×4 should be up and running again.
Whats up with F-150′s Four Wheel Drive?
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January 23rd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
you can check out whats not working by jacking the front wheels off the ground, in 2×4 you should be able to spin the front drive shaft with your hand and if you spin a wheel on one side the other one will not spin. now put it in 4×4. with the truck in park you now shouldn’t be able to spin the front drive shaft. now start your engine (engine must run to have vacuum) and spin one of the wheels, the wheel on the other side should turn the the other way. if you can spin the drive shaft with 4×4 on and in park you either have a problem with the transfer case or a linkage (electric motor if you have electric 4×4) but if when engine is running and in 4×4 and the other wheel (other side then the one your spinning) does not spin your front diff is not locking in. it is vacuum operated. it can be a vacuum leak or something wrong with the vacuum solenoid. but more commonly the linkage from the vacuum solenoid to the diff seizes up. this can be fixed by removing the solenoid and spraying the spot where the linkage enters the transfer case with penetrating oil. now work it back and forth (you will need a wrench at first) keep working it and spraying it down with lube and it should ease up. once you can move it with you hand your 4×4 should be up and running again.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 7:41 pm
GULP GULP GULP oh shit thre go’s the planet o well
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January 23rd, 2010 at 8:03 pm
obviously a problem. I live in montana and I’d have to agree that a 4X4 with no 4X4 is useless. I also drive an ’84 f-150 with manual hubs. so easy to deal with, if you lock them in they are IN. so not a bad idea there (don’t know what the swap requires though) I would check the transfer case and linkage.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 8:22 pm
first off verify the transfer case is working, to do this, put it in 4×4, and have someone watch the front drive shaft to see if it rotates when you move the vehicle
to verify this better, put the vehicle on jack stands, so no tires touch the ground. do the same thing, watch to see if the front drive shaft turns, if it does, its hubs or front differential.
if it does not, more than likely the 4×4 actuator motor is bad.
OK if it does, and u don’t get any horrendous sound from the front diff, the diff is OK.
now look behind each wheel, you will see a U joint. looks like a plus sign with a shaft on either end (not trying to make you seem dumb, just explaining EVERYTHING). these are your axles shafts. now with the vehicle in gear, wheels off the ground, with it in 4×4, make sure the both axles shafts turn, if you see one turns, but no the other, don’t fret yet. put the vehicle in park and stop the wheels, put a long screwdriver or pry bar into the u joint that DID turn, so it stops, then put the vehicle back in gear and repeat. if the other side now rotates, everything is fine up to the hub.
biggest recommendation, install manual hubs. auto hubs suck ass. the swap is easy, and if you goto a salvage yard its cheap. just get both hubs, just make sure u get everything from the wheel bearing out (not including the wheel bearing)
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self. ford auto technician