2004 xlt 5.4........ Had 4wd problems about a month ago and posted on here to get some insight. Eventually took the truck to the mechanic and he said the hoses that go into the 4x4 solenoid were switched. I knew this wasn't the problem, but somehow my 4wd worked when I got it back........ until now........ drove through about a foot of snow and parked the truck. When I got back in to drive away (maybe an hour later) I began to move and then I heard a clunk and my 4wd was once again not functioning. It is doing the exact same thing it was doing. Front passenger hub sounds like its "whizzing" when I put it in 4wd and only the back tires are spinning. After some extensive searching on here I think it may be the hub actuator, but I am not sure exactly where this is located.

On a side note.... I got to thinking that when the mechanic brought the truck into a heated garage to work on it it maybe have unfroze something and there fore caused the 4wd to work. Weather in western NY has been sub zero for the last couple weeks and it is now just starting to get up to 30F.

Thanks in advance for any insight anyone might be able to provide

 

no one has any idea?

 

I am not sure but I think that the only actuator is in the diff. I have an 04 4X4 and I am sure I have transaxles going to the front wheels. Much like a front wheel drive car. I think we need a lot more info. When did you switch in to 4 wheel drive? Once you tried to back out? Where your tires spinning when you heard the clunk? Do the front axles turn but not the wheels? Did you try 4 low? Have you been driving around regularly in 4X4? How long have you had the truck and were there any previous repairs to axles, transfer case or electronic issues?

 

When I went to leave I pulled forward and began to turn the wheel to the right. This is when I heard the clunk. The truck was never taken out of 4wd once I got in the snow. Tires were spinning when clunk and lose of 4wd occured. I did try 4 low with the same results, and I use 4wd on a very regular basis. There have been no previous repairs to the axles or transfer case but I believe the 4wd solenoid was replaced prior to me purchasing the truck. Since my last post I have managed to get the truck into 4hi once but I made it maybe 15 feet and the front hub(s) once again unlocked. I was attempting to spin the tires in the snow (to see if front was spinning). I am getting a "whizzing" "grinding" noise from the front passenger side hub when I try to spin the tires in the snow. It seems like the hub is not fully locked in and therefore that's where I am getting the grinding sound? I don't quite understand why sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I need it to be reliable. It's warm here today (40f) so I'm going to go see what happens with it. Also all 4wd lights are working on dash.
Thanks for any further input.

 

we have about half a dozzen trucks at work 04-08 f150 were always fight with ford about the 4x4 it seem ontce the trucks hit 120 000 the front end wont enguage we take them to frod and they say theres nothing wrong with them but sure enough when u need the 4x4 it dosnt work it a week point in the truck i havent looked under the truck to see what enguages the front end but there has to be an actuator of some sorts that u can replace.

 

Mine has around 84k on it right now so it is getting up there for sure. I am extremely reluctant to take it to the dealer and pay an arm and a leg on labor if it's something I can do myself. I would at least like to know what the problem is before I take it in. Any other information from you guys is greatly appreciated.

 

You need to confirm if the axle is engaged. If the wheels were spinning and you heard the clunk it is possible that you broke the axle. Did it grab traction when you heard the clunk? How fast were the tires spinning? I would suggest that you place the front on stands, lock it in 4X4, place it in nuetral and try rotating each wheel and confirm that the drive shaft is spinning. If it doesn't then you have to check both axle shafts. See that they are intact and there are no leaks at either end of the front diff. If they are both intact you will have to find out how the actuator works and test it.