Front axle turing when not in 4wd

[simone0414]

I replaced ball joints & U joint on drivers side a few weeks ago & I noticed that the axle on that side was turning when I would spin the tire. At first I thought my hub wasn't unlocking so I jammed a bar in the U joint & spun the wheel. Tire kept turning & axle stopped but there was alot of resistance there. Something was binding/jamming. So changed the ball joints & also changed the u joint, inner dust seal & outer seal that goes into the hub. I checked the wheel bearing & axle spindle area expecting to see soemthing. Everything looked good. I put everything back together & tested it. Shaft only turned when I locked the hubs. 4wd worked as it should. Checked it today it is doing the same thing.

Any suggestions is greatly appriciated.

[drunk on diesel]

I would pull/inspect the lockouts. I just had to replace both of mine on my 08

[simone0414]

Originally Posted by drunk on diesel

I would pull/inspect the lockouts. I just had to replace both of mine on my 08

What are you referring to by lockouts?

I have already had everything apart & to my untrained eye everything looks ok. 1 thing I did notice is that when you take out the manual locking hub assembly behind that is a snap ring & then 3 washers. 2 regular looking washers & one that is shaped like a nut. When I take the snap ring off then the axle doesn't spin. It seems like those washers are binding up the axle a bit. If that's so I can't figure out why?

[simone0414]

Took the manual hub assembly off both front tires. Passenger side turns very freely with or without the 3 washers & snap ring on. Drivers side has some resistance & a scraping noise with or without the 3 washers & snap ring on. When I take the washers off the axle doesn't turn but scraping noise is still there. When I put 2 of the 3 washers & snap ring back on axle doesn't turn. Put all 3 & snap ring back on & axle does turn. I don't have time today to tear everything apart so will do that tommorow but something is scraping/binding. Would a bad wheel bearing do this? There is a needle bearing in there somewhere isn't there Could that be the problem?

[melmount]

did you get the seals pressed in far enough. Th one that holds the axel in? It does not realy hold it in, but its the one that tears(usually) when the axel is pulled out.

[simone0414]

Originally Posted by melmount

did you get the seals pressed in far enough. Th one that holds the axel in? It does not realy hold it in, but its the one that tears(usually) when the axel is pulled out.

Well that's a good question. I thought I did. Doesn't the wheel bearing assembly "pull" everything tight & in place when you tighten it up? I had this problem before I did the ball joints. I measured how far the axle shaft is through the hub on drivers & passenger side. It was both the same. Not sure if that means anything though.

[drunk on diesel]

I'm guessing the needle bearings in your locking hub are whooped and it's causing the axle to turn

[simone0414]

Originally Posted by drunk on diesel

I'm guessing the needle bearings in your locking hub are whooped and it's causing the axle to turn

Yah your probably right. Any ideas how to change them? I could buy a whole hub assembly but the needle bearing is much cheaper.

[drunk on diesel]

my driver's side axle was turning... upon investigation and pulling the locking hub out, I was quickly greeted by scattered needle bearings and an obviously frozen bearing where the axle rode. Thankfully no wear on the axle.

I ordered two Ford replacement hubs (no aftermarket available for later trucks)

The plan was to replace both and keep the driver's side as a spare in the toolbox. it promptly fell apart when I pulled it out! glad I ordered two!!! LOL

I believe if I had an early super duty, I'd just order a pair of quality aftermarket lockouts and be done with it

[NoRalPh]

Originally Posted by simone0414

Yah your probably right. Any ideas how to change them? I could buy a whole hub assembly but the needle bearing is much cheaper.

You can service & replace the needles alone -> Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page