4wd problems
12-19-2008, 11:14 AM
#1
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4wd problems
Truck is a 2004 xlt.... Tried engaging 4wd the other night coming up a snow covered hill. The rear wheels were the only ones spinning. Checked the vacuum hoses and there is a vacuum when in 2wd and 4wd. It is my understanding that there should only be a vacuum in the lines when in 2wd. 4wd lights come on when I engage it, and can hear the differential kick in. Any ideas?? I'm hoping this isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg. Any help is greatly appreciated.
12-19-2008, 11:56 AM
#2
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It might be the pesky IWE solenoid. This thread should help.
https://www.f150forum.com/f4/anyone-04-06-4x4-read-6691/
https://www.f150forum.com/f4/anyone-04-06-4x4-read-6691/
12-19-2008, 01:55 PM
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Thanks guys, I had read that thread prior to posting. Maybe I'm missing something, but there's vacuum in the lines in 2 and 4wd. I'm having no problems with the truck engaging 4wd while still in 2wd. When I put the truck into 4wd I am getting a noise coming from one (or both) of the front hubs. Front wheels still won't spin. The noise isn't very loud and I'm not sure it fits the description many were describing in the thread mentioned. Taking it in on Monday to have the mech look at it. Any other insight is appreciated.
12-19-2008, 06:04 PM
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I have the same problem and am looking into what the issue may be. For now I have decided that it prob is wear on the plastic parts of the shifting fork that, from what I can tell, push the front hubs into place to lock it into 4WD. My truck is new to me last week so i don't know too much about its 4WD history but I know it has 148K miles on it. I want it to go another 100K with me so i am betting that a rebuild on the Borg-warner transfer case (model 4406 I think) is what will fix the problem. With this rebuild I have confidence that it will last that long. I have seen places on the net that describe how to do a rebuild on your own and it doesnt look too bad. I have been quoted anywhere from $1500 to $300 + parts ($140.00ish) I think for the latter price I will have it done for me. It seems that one of the weak parts in the system is the metal "stay" that keeps the pump from spinning. I have seen pics that show how to beef it up a bit so it stays in place. This may not be the easy answer you wanted but for my 1997 truck it seems to be the best solution for now.
12-20-2008, 10:06 AM
#6
probably a bad hub actuator. sometimes they seem to get sticky and dont move to easy. its prob not releasing fully to engage the teeth on the back side of the wheel bearing hub. all it takes is one side to not work and you wont have 4x4..
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12-20-2008, 10:59 AM
#8
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Hub Actuator
It is the hub actuator! They are a p.o.s. Pain in the *****! I had the same problem! The right side went! It cost me some where near 350 bones to have the dealer do it and the part is 99 + tax! I have to do it the drivers side now and I'm doing it myself once i get the service manual in! The truck isn't over 20K and both went! What garbage! I have the same problem and it only takes one side to be bad! Because the diff just puts the power to that side. Ya i about crapped when i was pulling a trailer around a snowy corner and the rear end walked out on me!
12-20-2008, 04:03 PM
#9
In youre case you could jack it up and spin the wheel, if the truck is off with no vacuum in the system then the axle should spin with the wheel. if it doesnt the actuator and hub arent locking. It can be tricky though if you have one that is just barely engaged but pops off when torque is applied. but you usualy have the grinding noise when that happens
12-20-2008, 07:07 PM
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Just Changed it
Its not to bad to change yourself! But if you got ice and the front isn't pulling then the hubs are not engaging! Just tested mine after the fix and the back end don't walk out on me anymore! When the 4wd went bad on me the first time i could tell by putting the truck into the 4wd and smashing the gas! When the actuator was bad there was a loud pop and the truck would jerk under load! But the second time it went bad I could tell by doing the above post's suggestion! Hope that help!
