Ok...I have a minor (hopefully nonexistant) problem with my 4x4 on my 2006 F150. I have been through many of the threads on here but being as I am 1. a woman with very little truck knowledge, and 2. Not exactly mechanically inclined, I was hoping for a little plain language advice.

Ok to start I have a 2006 F150 FX4 supercrew. With a 4" suspension lift, on 35" tires. Ok that being said, here is my issue. When I put it into 4 hi there is always a very loud metal clang (loud enough to startle the people around me) when the hubs lock in. Afterwards the 4WD seems to work fine (I think) but I have driven other 4wd vehicles before and have never heard this sound before. Is this something I should be concerned about? Advice on fix actions is definitely appreciated.

Thanks for your help.

 

Here's the good news... You don't have a problem.

When you shift into 4wd (while in motion) your front driveshaft synchronizes speed with your rear driveshaft. You may hear a rumbling noise underneath you for about a second. Then your vaccuum actuator (under the hood by the battery) releases the vaccuum that keeps your hubs UNLOCKED, therefore locking your hubs. (sounds backwards, but its a good system, because the default position of your hubs is LOCKED).

It's totally normal for these trucks to make a semi-loud "CHUNK" noise from the front hubs. It even says so in the manual.

A word of advice. Even though these trucks are shift on the fly, It's always better to engage 4wd at a lower speed or stopped.

 

The older it gets ...the louder the Clunk...

 

The loud "clang" noise; is this when stationary/slow, or while driving (if the latter, about what speed)?

 

The clang noise is when I engage the 4wd while stationary and then when I start driving it is a very loud clang. I havent tried to shift on the fly yet. I noticed the clang a couple times and in fear of really breaking it I havent put it in 4wd a whole lot. The truck is very new to me I have only had it for a bout two weeks.

 

"very loud" clang noise does NOT sound normal. I'm not sure what would cause such a noise. A barely audible clunk is normal for the IWE engagement. And MY truck is a 06, like yours.

 

Hard to say, but I'd assume you don't have any issues. My 4hi makes a very slight noise when engaging, but it is barely noticeable. It makes more noise when engaging 4lo, but still not too noticable.

 

After discussing it with my boyfriend (who is in fact a "car" guy haha) We decided to do the shift on the fly test. When shifting on the fly there is little to no noise. The clang only occurs when we shift into 4wd while stationary. And we discovered it is most noticible if we reverse right after shifting in 4wd. After 4wd is engaged there are no further issues and it seems to work as it should. The only solution we could come up with is maybe the 4inch lift is putting a strain on something. I did just have the coil spring spacers removed from the front and wheel spacers installed to make it pass PA state inspection. Maybe we will test the 4wd again now that the normal rake is back in the truck. Thanks guys for all your help.

 

I own a 2004 fx 4 4x4 ford, the 4wd dont engage, I check all the fuses all is ok, what are the next steps.

 

HI, LO, or both?