Educate Me, 4 x 4 101! - Diesel Forum

J Haggerty · 04-10-2005, 07:03 PM

Brothers,
Explain how the front drive system works please. With the manual hubs on free and the stick on 4 x 2, what all spins up front? I ask this because I'm in the middle of a ball joint job and considering changing the all the front universals while I'm "in there". So far the universals don't seem bad, but the last one is still attached in the front pumpkin. If they don't normally always spin and the 2 of 3 universals seem OK (yes I'll still feel the last one while hanging in place), I'm not going to mess with them.
Thanks,
John

cdnsarguy · 04-10-2005, 07:13 PM

Manual hubs...

Nothing spins up front unless the hubs are locked in 4x2, then it all spins but without transfer case driving it.....

In 4x4 and hubs unlocked only the shafts/gears will turn with transfer case driving it......

With 4X4 and hubs locked everything turns with transfer case driving it....

J Haggerty · 04-10-2005, 07:25 PM

Neepawa, Manitoba. Sounds like a place with BIG fish [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]. Thanks for the reply, that answers my question. The front drive system then has had very litle "work", so I'm not going to mess with the joints.
John

cdnsarguy · 04-10-2005, 07:59 PM

Big fish are within driving distance ........

All the universals can be done with removal of the shafts, but there is one in there which reqires axle housing removal to complete it. So most smart guys use some HD C clamps and other tools to change it in place on the truck. Cumbersome but better than pulling the axle all apart.

agnem · 04-10-2005, 08:35 PM

John, all my front end joints are original. If you don't 4 wheel regularly, they will last forever. With your truck in 4X2 and your hubs unlocked, you should be able to reach under the truck and spin the front drive shaft by hand. You'll turn the shaft, the pumpkin and axles. Sometimes these parts can turn very slowly when under way due to the viscious nature of the oils and grease in the hubs.