6.0L Power Stroke Engine and DrivetrainDiscussion of the 6.0L Power Stroke diesel engine and drivetrain in the 2003-Up Super Duties and Excursions. No gas engine discussion allowed except on transmissions and drivetrain that pertain to all models. Please confine discussion of topics in this forum to those items that are specific to the 6.0L Power Stroke engine.
I kick it in 4x4 everytime I drive down my 1.25 mile dirt road. I figure that this exercises the 4x4 and does less damage to the dirt road from the torque, However.....
Sometimes I rock the go pedal just to see if it is in 4x4 (spin tires) and it sometimes isn't (does that make sense??).
In other (better) words, it doesn't always lock into 4x4 with the ESOF when the knob is turned. Is this wrong?? If so, what could the problem be??
My 2002 did the same thing.. I believe it is so dangerous that I wrote a letter to the NHTSA.. They did not answer.. Imagine.. The roads are covered with snow, you put it in 4x4 and then you round a corner.. All of a sudden the ass end comes around causing you to lose control.. You get into a "headon" with another vehicle.. It is not good...
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2002 PSD,4X4,XLT LARIET, CREW CAB Short Bed,373 axles, dark shadow grey, black,28 foot fifth wheel, powerpull hitch...Stock For Now..Click on "db" to see photos of 02.. Thanks
The concern we usually see is leaking hub seals (the big ones inside the knuckle). These have to seal in vacuum since the lock and unlock vacuum signals only last for about 30 seconds - memory thing going on here...
If the centre of the knob on the locking hub(s) is covered with ice, mud or anything else that can block it's porosity, the thimble in the hub can't move far enough to engage/disengage the hub. Also, the vacuum pumps in these trucks can also be a concern... if they can't generate and hold 10 - 12 inches of vacuum, the hub can't lock. Lastly, there was a TSB on these (this is simply a technical advisory paper, not a recall) regarding the possibility of the stub shaft bottom on the insside of the hub either preventing the hub from locking or unlocking it - this condition usually leaves witness marks.
90% of our customers work in the oil or logging industries and use their 4X4 systems nearly every day. These guys have us service the 4X4 spindles regularly.... it is rare for any of them to have unexpected trouble with the ESOF system.
FWIW... the most common cause of failure that we see is a stick driven up through the transmission harness or rocks beating the crap out of the harness.
In a gravel drive situation, you should be able to feel the front wheels in the steering wheel. Try rocking the wheel back & forth instead of trying to break free the tires. That seems a bit more positive to me.
If it isn't engaging, most likly it is a vacuum leak at or near the hubs. Try manually locking the hubs, and see if this corrects it. If it doesn't spin in 4wd, try looking for the leak. Another give away of a leak is the heater defaulting to defrost.
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Feb 03 6.0 Silver F-250 SD SC XLT long box, 6-spd 3.73ls, Fx4, Stock, Spray-in liner, Contico box.HARPOONED.
Yes, I can feel the the front wheels in the steering. The "lack" of this feel is usually what prompts me to kick it to see if just the rear wheels spin.
Sometimes, I have to turn it off and then back on again, this may work. Other times, I just have to give it a reason to lock into 4x4 (i.e. spin the tires), this may work also.
Hence, my original question of whether it is supposed to be locked in at all times when the ESOF is turned on.
I guess the answer to that is "yes". I'll call my dealer tommorrow.
Thanks again for the help. Another day, another bit of knowledge from the good folks on this site.
Regular washing, AFAIK.... avoid the use of any appearance dressings that can affect the porosity of the locking hubs, don't paint them, that sort of stuff. FWIW, the locking hub design was totally revamped for 2005 and does not include this porous strip.
I had the same problem. Took it in to dealer and he replaced the right front hub. Took it out a week later and I turned the ESOF while I was moving and could feel it grab. It is a good feeling. The dealer says sometimes while standing still it may not work properly,but it should always work while moving or manually get out and lock in hubs. The reason I ordered the ESOF was so that I didn't have to get out and lock in the hubs. Now a new problem, manually locked in hubs while in the mud, got out of mud and unlocked hubs manually and backed up 20-25 feet(per owners manual) and drove home thinking the hubs were unlocked. Got home and felt and heard a ticking while going around a corner. Switched the ESOF back and forth and also locked and unlocked the hubs, then backed up again and the ticking quit. It is going to the dealer tommorrow for this. 28,000 miles on my rig.
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2004 F-350 Lariat 4X4 CC Shortbed. Auto Tranny,power rear window,camper pkg,373 ltd slip,clearance lights,ESOF,6-cd changer,HD trailering pkg,rear stabilizer, HD front springs, htd seats,dual alts,AIC.
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Regular washing, AFAIK.... avoid the use of any appearance dressings that can affect the porosity of the locking hubs, don't paint them, that sort of stuff. FWIW, the locking hub design was totally revamped for 2005 and does not include this porous strip.
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Grampy,
What is AFAIK? Also, are risk of hijacking this thread, can you recommend what is proper way to exercise manual 4x4 locking hubs that do not get used regularly?
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Truck Build Date: 03/05 Kentucky
Engine Build Date: 02/28/05 Indianopolis
Purchase Date: 8/05 Sold date: 01/31/07
MPG: 16.08 2007 ytd average; 29k miles
2005 F 250 PSD Crew Cab Long Bed XL Auto
Completely Stock Truck: No Modifications
15 days in shop; a factor in deciding to sell.
To exercise the system, simply engage 4 wheel high while moving slowly. This can be done on firm ground as long as we don't turn too sharply (axle joints don't like that). We can do small turns in order to verify that 4WD is engaged (you'll notice the driveline "wind-up").
Once the exercise is complete and 4WD is disengaged, we should back up a few feet to ensure that the hubs aren't bound up.
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