Re: OT 4x4 pulling

Posted by jimg.allentown on November 13, 2014 at 20:38:31 from (98.115.105.174):

In Reply to: Re: OT 4x4 pulling posted by L.C.Gray on November 13, 2014 at 17:33:48:

From your description of the problem, it appeared that you had the same type hubs that were used on any number of Ford vehicles. On the Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco II, the "automatic" hubs would engage and lock up when power was applied to the front differential. Once the 4WD was disengaged, you would have to back up about 10 to 15 feet to get the hubs released. In this type of system, most of the front drive hardware was NOT MOVING unless the 4WD was engaged.

According to the information you initially gave, and with this type of system, when in 2WD, all that is turning is the hubs, rotors, and spindle bearings. Once the 4WD is engaged, the axles and front differential turn with the wheels.

Now, logical deduction says that if the vehicle tracks properly when NOT in 4WD, but pulls to one side when 4WD is engaged, then only the actual 4-wheel-drive components are suspect. Those components that are ALWAYS turning are NOT suspect. Therefore, that leaves the axles and carrier bearings as the suspect parts. Since the axles are supported at both ends, that should eliminate them as they are not much more than a link from the differential to the hubs. This leaves the carrier bearings as the primary suspect. Also, to clarify a bit, the outer ends of the axles would become locked to the hub/spindle/bearing assembly (which is NOT suspect as it is ALWAYS turning), and therefore allows no opportunity to cause a drag at the outer end.

Keep in mind that I spent about 30 years in Ford service departments as a class A technician, and was ASE certified as a Master Auto/Heavy Duty truck technician. I encountered several vehicles that behaved as you describe. Each one was repaired by adjusting the carrier bearing preload.

NOW, if your hub setup is different than what I have described above, then the correct process of diagnosis would be to first eliminate parts that are not EXCLUSIVE to the 4WD being engaged. ONLY those parts that are used ONLY when 4WD is engaged would be suspect - according to the information that I have. AND, like a computer, if I have bad data, I would reach an incorrect conclusion. But, if what I am told is accurate, then my diagnosis should also be accurate.

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