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I have a 1991 F150 4X4. It has auto locking hubs. When I put the truck into 4 high or low i can feel the transfer case engage. However when actually moving i can hear a lot of chattering in the front axle. I used the 4 wheel drive 1 time and it was working just fine. I got stuck a few weeks later and when i engaged the transfer case only 1 front tire would spin and that was only once in awhile. Now if I engage the transfer case, the light comes on, the t-case engages, however i get no movement of the front tires. i have had the truck on blocks and engaged the 4x4, rear wheels spin, front ones dont. help please.
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If the actuator is not working and you need to engage your 4x4 to get home, you can manually lock in your 4x4 system using the front axle's manual locking hubs (assuming your vehicle has manual locking hubs). Here are the steps to manually lock in your 4x4 system:
Locate the manual locking hubs on the front wheels of your vehicle. They are typically located at the center of the wheel hub, and will have a dial or lever that you can turn or pull to engage the hub.
Make sure your vehicle is in neutral, with the parking brake engaged.
Turn the dial or lever on each manual locking hub to the "lock" position. This will physically engage the front axle, allowing power to be transferred to the front wheels.
Engage your 4x4 by shifting the transfer case lever into the appropriate 4x4 mode (4-Hi or 4-Lo).
Test your 4x4 by driving slowly in a straight line. If you hear any grinding or feel any vibrations, stop immediately and check your manual locking hubs and 4x4 system.
It's important to note that driving in 4x4 mode on dry pavement can cause damage to your drivetrain, so be sure to disengage your 4x4 system and unlock your manual locking hubs once you're back on solid ground.
Check your hubs lift front end if wheel does not turn when locked in 4x4 then hubs are not engaging turn wheel by hand or a pipe wrench on drive shaft do not try power unless all wheels are lifted
96 chevys have a ifs (independent front suspension) this give it more ground clearance but does not have lock out hubs, the cv axles go into the front differential an spin freely until you put it in 4wd, how this works is your transfercase spins the drive shaft that goes into the front differential an while you put it in 4wd it sends power to the actuator to lock the front differential. if your front end isnt pulling you either popped your 1 of your cv axles but if you did this you would know because it makes a very loud thunking noise while you're driving, my guess is you have a short thats not sending power to the actuator. check to see if the wiring harnesses are connected and check if the fuse that operates the 4wd in the cab of the truck is not blown. also actuators for these trucks are horrible they go out alot
This depends on what system you have installed in your truck. If you have push button 4x4 with auto locking hubs then you would put your vehicle in neutral and press the 4x4 button. You then drive froward about 10 feet and the auto locking hubs should then be engaged.
If you do not have push button control and you have a gear shifter which controls the transfer case you would push the level in 4x4 hi or low depending on what you want (while in neutral) then drive forward about ten feet so the hubs lock. If you have manual locking hubs you need to manually engage the hubs before you put it in 4x4 mode,
chk the linkage under the truck for any foriegn objects. block the tires and have a friend put light pressure on the shifter while you lightly tap the linkage.
Probably a vacuum leak. Tranny has to be in Neutral to shift into 4 low, but should be able to shift into 4 high in any gear. The auto locking hubs work off of a vacuum, if there's a leak in the line, they won't engage. If the 4x4 light is on, but the wheels aren't pulling, that's most likely the problem.
make sure you're doing it correctly. floor shift 4wd's usually need to shove the lever to the right or left to scoot into 4LO. if you have manual hubs, make sure they're in. double check the fluid levels and mechanicals to the front Pumpkin to make sure nothings binding up, too.
Ford has 2 types of 4x4 system engagement. One is a knob on the dash that you just turn to 4wheel drive high or low. The other system is the 4x4 transfer case shift on the transmission tunnel (hump) between the driver and passenger seats. To shift into 4 wheel drive high while driving, just let off the gas and shift transfer case into 4H position, and continue driving. To shift into 4 wheel drive Low, stop the vehicle completely, put transmission in neutral, shift transfer case into 4Low position, put trans. in gear, and start driving. I am assuming before doing the above, you have locked in ( turned the front hubs to 4 wheel drive position.) Any further questions, let me know.
There are two parts to the auto-locking hubs. Inner and outer. Both of them have small tabs on each of the 'cams'. Chances are, they are broken off on the outer hub. When you clean them up real good, you can see them. I believe when the axles turn the outer hub, the inner and outer cams push against spring pressure and lock the unit to the wheel hub. These hubs will break when engaged at higher speeds, especially on a dry tar road.
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