What is the best way?

[reno]

What's the best way to know if both front axles are engaging before I really need them to? I locked my fronts in when I had my truck up in the air and turned the drivers tire, the driveshaft was turning, but the passenger tire was not. Should not both tires have been turn turning? I also tried locking them in, shift into lo and gun it, but is kind of hard to look out and see if they are actually spinning.

 

[86ford]

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Feb 06/tech.htm

86

 

[metalmacguyver]

Lay in front of it with it on jack stands and turn one side with your foot. Watch both the drive shaft and the other side.

 

[4x4junkie]

Look to see that the axleshaft (at the knuckle) turns when you turn the wheel. This would show the hub is locked.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i think the easiest way would be to just turn the front driveline (hubs locked, transfer case in 2wd). if both hubs are engaging, you wont be able to turn it very far. if one of them isnt engaging, you'll see that axle shaft spinning.

this way, no need to jack the truck up or spin each wheel.

 

[rickcdewitt]

i think the easiest way would be to just turn the front driveline (hubs locked, transfer case in 2wd). if both hubs are engaging, you wont be able to turn it very far. if one of them isnt engaging, you'll see that axle shaft spinning.

this way, no need to jack the truck up or spin each wheel.

+1

 

[reno]

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Feb 06/tech.htm

86

That is good information, and the PO told me that my rear is locked, but IDK if it is a locker aftermarket, ford locker, or welded. I plan on pulling the differential cover and looking, besides I want to change the fluid any ways, that is just me, don't know the history of this truck, so if I go through everything, then I know for a fact that it is working.

 

[reno]

i think the easiest way would be to just turn the front driveline (hubs locked, transfer case in 2wd). if both hubs are engaging, you wont be able to turn it very far. if one of them isnt engaging, you'll see that axle shaft spinning.

this way, no need to jack the truck up or spin each wheel.

OK, I will do this, is there a way to determine if the pumpkin is bad? Or if one of the axles do not turn, then does that mean the pumpkin needs repair\replaced?

 

[MAKG]

No; it's a differential, so the axles can turn differently from each other, including having one stationary.

Grab any two (somehow) of the axleshafts and driveshaft, and the third should also be immobilized.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

what MAKG is saying is: if niether of the axles turn, your hubs and most likely your diff are in good shape.

the best way to test the diff is to go do some wheeling, or drive down the highway with the hubs locked (t-case in 2wd). if there are no abnormal noises or vibrations (expect a little more vibration with the front axles turning), then i wouldnt read any more into it until it gives you a problem.

 

[metalmacguyver]

(expect a little more vibration with the front axles turning),

I would not say "expect". Its more like "dont be surprised by".

 

[rickcdewitt]

if you really want to do something to the front diff get a pump from a 90 wt bottle or something similar and drain and refill your gear oil.if its white or metallic then you have trouble.otherwise think of it this way-the front diff probably only has a few thousand miles on it if that.

 

[reno]

OK, locked in the hubs, drove down the road in 4 hi, went a little ways in 4lo, then went to 2wd, in 2wd the front had a growling sound. What does this mean?

 

[reno]

Anyone?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

check the fluid level and condition in the front diff. could possibly be a shot R&P with a noisy coast side.