F250 1993, 4WD will not engage, hubs locked,light comes on? some times a little grinding, workes until I chang gears and goes out.

It's probably not the front hubs...it's the transfer case/solenoid.
Sometimes you have to move the vehicle a few feet back and forth to engage the dog clutch; I've found that this works to get it out ?f AWD.
If you haven't changed the transmission or gear case fluid in 30 years you should do that too. AS well as the differential lubes.

For Trackers (and Sidekicks) of this era (1989 to 1998) the front axle locking device is a locking hub on each front wheel. (There are no actuators until the model change in 1999.) Locking hubs come in two flavors, Manual and auto locking hubs. A look at the from wheel should tell you what you have. Manual hubs have a knob like lever with the word "lock" and "free." Auto hubs say "Auto-Locking" right on them. Both types of hubs require servicing periodicity. (Normally annually.) This means removing and disassembling. Then cleaning and light greasing before reassembling. There are some good videos on the web on how to service the manual hubs. Auto hubs are a little harder to ensure they are working properly, but some people like them. (Not me.)

Please note two things:
1. Due to differential action, BOTH hubs need to be locked for any power to be applied to the front wheels.
2. Trackers of this era are PART TIME 4x4, NOT all wheel drive. They have nothing providing for different wheel speeds front to back like a center differential. This means they should NOT be used on non-slippery surfaces like dry pavement. Beside causing handling and braking issues, it can destroy your transfercase driving on dry pavement in 4x4 due to what is called "driveline wind up".

PLEASE if you do not understand this, look it up... if you still do not understand, ask and do not use the 4x4 until you do.

I've had this happen in a work truck before. The wheel speed sensor is located in the wheel hub and as you side load the wheel bearing while turning, the sensor pickup on one wheel gets too far away or too close to the trigger gear, looses the input and thinks that the wheel is locked up. The ABS system kicks in and that's the pulsing you're feeling. At your next oil change, ask politely if they can check your wheel bearings for play for free or a nominal fee.on my personal truck, I had a wheel bearing get so worn (I knew it was on its way out) that the trigger gear actually ate into the wheel speed sensor. I took a corner a little hot since I was late coming back to work from lunch and the ABS light came on and the grinding got worse. Changed the hub that night.

does your four wheel light come on if not bad accuator

Hi Kamakaroots,

Being an older 4x4 you will need to manually engage the hubs aswell as move the shifter into 4x4.
To engage the hubs you will need to turn the switches on the hub/rim's themselves.

B1gR1g

a quick fix to solve the problem with the 4wd not working on the sportage is fitst check the vacume soionoid is working lockated by the suspention turet on theL/H side of the engine bay, then, chech hoses going to the hub, if there is still a vacume leek from the hub remove the 6 bolts from the outer hub locker place in vice remove the circlip, remove the spring, remove the spline gear then take the spring and swap it around so that it gose under the gear so that it is in conatant mesh/ lock, build back up and fit, it means the front axle will be live all the time but you will still be able to select 2 /4wd,,

if you have access to a lift put somone in it sent it up
start it up put in 4wd low and check to se if the
output shaft is turning from the transfer case to the
front difirential if it's not turning odd's are transfer case problem if it is turning listen each front hub for
grinding noise if there is check the offending hub
by the way if you can't use a lift find some level paved
ground and use 4 STURDY jack stands to do tests
hope this helps any other ? just ask. good luck

WELL WHAT YERA IS THIS TRUCK AND IS THE SOUND COMING FROM FRONT OR IS COMING DOWN DRIVE LINE IT COULD BE AT TRANSFER CASE THAT WHY IT GOSE AWAY WHEN IN FOUR WHEEL YOU COULD PULL THE DRIVE LINE IN FRONT AND SEE IF NOIS GOSE AWAY THEN ITS IN FRONT IF ITS THERE WITH DRIVE LINE OUT PUT IN GEAR AND IF NOIS GOSE AWAY THEN ITS THE TRANSFER CASE

It grinds just sitting still? Will it do it with the transfer case in neutral or 4x4?

THE KNOB ON THE DASH ENGAGES THE TRANSFER CASE, WHICH TURN THE AXLES. THE MANUAL HUBS LOCK THE WHEELS TO THE AXLES.


DCL