altva001, this is the info I have. Hope it helps.




[This message has been edited by riclaur (edited 08-19-1999).]

 

Responding to a post under Engines, I asked this question but now thinl it's more appropriate here. I apologize for the cross-post...

...Curious about the function of the 4X4 with the manual shift, Automatic main trans. When NOT in 4WD, assuming that the "auto" hubs have unlocked themselves properly, do the two short front wheel drive shafts still turn, or upon disengagement of the hubs are they supposed to stop turning (I assumed they would NOT turn if the hubs were disengaged)? I've checked the main shaft into the 4X4 transfer case - it rotates freely, 4X4 not "on", so I know (assume - uh oh!) from the case "back" the 4WD is disengaged, but the two shafts from the 4WD case don't rotate (turning by hand) - and, in fact, after marking both with chalk and backing up about 15 feet I saw that both shafts were turning with the wheels since both marks ended up about 180 degrees different than the position I marked - doesn't make sense to me since I thought the 4WD trans wouldn't be turning at all when the truck isn't in 4WD. (wasn't sure if the shafts were turning because of the transfer case or if it was because the hubs aren't disengaging correctly). I don't notice any noise or gear whine typical when hubs are still engaged (had a 4WD Toyota that would always make some gear noise when the manual hubs were engaged while driving in 2WD), but then again, if they've always been engaged, I don't have anything to compare in terms of noise from the Ford...

BTW - Out of habit, I always back up 10-15 feet after disengaging the 4WD although I'm not sure this is necessary with the Ford Auto hubs - just a carry over from the Toy manual that recommend this...

* Ford F150 vs. Toyota PU - "Oh! What a difference!!!" The Ford is a "real" PU!

Thanks,
David A.
1998 F150 4.6L Automatic w OD, Manual 4X4, Off-Road Pkg...

 

riclaur -

Thanks. This info. and another reply under the Engine board completely answer my questons. Apparently, the two front drive shafts from the 4X4 transfer case to the front wheel CV joints are *always* "engaged", and therefore always turn. No need to back up the vehicle to disengage the hubs since they seem to be permanently "engaged". I was under the vehicle last weekend trying to track down the source of a noise that sounds like a slight slippage in a drive shaft yoke and found that the 4X4 from the wheels to the transfer case appeared to be engaged. That prompted me to ask my question about disengaging the hubs. Since it seems that the hubs *stay* engaged, there is apparently no disengagement, everything there is "normal", and my noise must be from another component.

Thanks, for the info. and good graphics...
David A.

1998 F150, 4.6L, 4X4 Off-Road...