2006 F350 hubs not staying locked in 4x4 mode

[bspan27801]

hi

i have a 2006 f350 crew cab shortbed 6.0 auto 4x4 lariet.

when i put the truck in 4x4, (auto hubs) it goes in 4x4 and out while driving, also when i am on the gas, spining the wheels in snow or mub i hear gears grinding in the front then 4x4 kicks in, then sometimes it will not unlock or release when i switch back to 4x2. any help? thanks Brian

works perfect if I manually lock the hub, (Wheels stay locked)

 

[6.0PSD777]

Possibly a vacuum leak - Check the lines going to the front end for cracks/damage

 

[Reverend Jim]

Vacuum leak? My friend's '06 had the same problem. Vacuum lines were dry-rotted. $2 fix.

 

[jmkeck]

what is the difference between the auto and the locked position?

 

[bspan27801]

well in the auto mode the hubs automaticly lock, it is a redundance system, good thing because mine stopped working, so i was able to turn the hubs to lock and the 4x4 works perfect,


Now thanks all for the answers back, question, looked at all the hoses all look good? I guess i have to change all of them? Is there a way to diag the vac system for the hubs? thanks for all your help

 

[jmkeck]

thanks bspan

 

[DaveBen]

I would change ALL (2) of them. If one is shot, the rest are sure to be in as good a shape. You should only need to change the rubber lines and not the plastic.

Dave

 

[bspan27801]

well today i ripped the hubs off.....not good news. The driverside was all coroded up. I guess it is made out of magnesium or aluminum. The cam came out in two peices. All the tabs where broke that keep it all together. Water got in them and caused the freezing up of the turn nob. I did get it out of 4wheel drive so at least i can drive it. The first problem i have had in the 4 yrs since new, not bad with over 80 thousand miles. And hard workin miles too. towing, hauling, snow plowing, off roading... i still love the truck and I think it is the best. Well get her fixed up. If you have aver pulled the hubs apart, on the 05 and up, there is a rubber diafram inside the hubs locks. Pretty neat.

 

[6.0PSD777]

During the summer i lock the hubs in on mine from time to time just to get everything turning so they don't sieze up - Good to exercise them.

 

[no-red 6 0]

During the summer i lock the hubs in on mine from time to time just to get everything turning so they don't sieze up - Good to exercise them.

this is exactly what FORD told me to do....but about every 1k miles or so....
been practicing it and so far so good.