does transfer case fluid effect function?

[muddin76]

I recently had a problem. When I go to 4hi or lo my front driveshaft locks and all that works, BUT, when I try to go my front tires wont pull. I locked the hubs, did like I was told on here, jacked up one side with hub locked (warn manual) the tire and axle turn, even if in 4 wheel. I thought maybe a spun axle. Well I was told today that when the fluid in a ford front end wears down it wont function. I was told that there is a clutch pack that works for the limited slip. When the oil breaks down this will not let the clutches work right and I would not have a working or in this case locking front end. Yes the hubs lock and axles turn with tires. But will not turn the front drive shaft. front shaft does lock in gear when in 4wheel. Does this sound right, would the gear oil when broken down after many many miles not allow the gears or limited slip function right? Its like I have a slip on both sides when under pressure. I did check the fluid today, full. BUT its very worn down, not much oilness to it, plus traces of water, I am changing it this weekend. Just curious if anyone feels that this may fix my trouble, a simple oil change. Also , which side is the power tire, driver or passenger?

 

[kunar]

i doubt it will fix anything, but i still think you should change it. it's highly unlikely you have a l/s front end. as far as the 'power tire' there is no such thing.... both tires will be getting equal power, the one that slips will be the one without traction.

btw, youre talking about the gear oil in the front axle, not the lube in the t-case

 

[4x4junkie]

Yeah, the oil is not your problem (although it's possible it could've contributed to it).

It sounds a bit like the spider gears are blown. You'll have to pull the diff out and take a look at it (NO D35-equipped Ranger ever came with a limited slip frontend from the factory).

 

[kunar]

(NO D35-equipped Ranger ever came with a limited slip frontend from the factory).

thanks, junkie. i didnt know for sure. i knew some (a very rare few) d28's were l/s

 

[Gabe8810]

My brother has the same probelm on his 89' s10 blazer and the front shaft spins, but its like the front automatic hubs wont lock and all the vaccume hoses are checked.

 

[Jspafford]

If the gears were damaged you should have nasty stuff on your drain plug and the gear oil would have chunks in it. It would also make a lot of nasty noises when driving with the hubs locked and or in 4WD.

I am still not convinced it is the differential.

I am beginning to think your experiencing normal open differential behavior. Do you actually have someone watch to make sure neither front tire spins when it is said to not be working?

 

[MAKG]

If ONE front tire is jacked up and BOTH hubs are locked, the front driveshaft should spin. If it doesn't, something -- ANYTHING between and including the hubs -- is broken. Take a good look at the axleshafts to see if they are turning differently from the wheels.

Worn clutch packs on an LS diff would not cause this behavior. They would cause the differential to behave exactly like an open differential.

And a broken differential (spider gears, pinion, whatever) ought to make some "interesting" noises while it's turning.

Note that the transfer case is not tested by this test. Even if it's completely removed from the vehicle, the front driveshaft should still turn.

 

[metalmacguyver]

If the gears were damaged you should have nasty stuff on your drain plug and the gear oil would have chunks in it.

What drain plug is that?

 

[Jspafford]

Sorry, it's called a fill plug eh? He said he checked the fluid, he must have one or the other. Unless he checked the fluid in the t-case. I dunno.