Easiest way to check 4x4 operation?

[blue89turbo]

Hi,

I have an 01 PSD with the selectable 4x4 knob.

I was just standing in a gravel parking lot trying to watch the driveshafts with the wife behind the wheel. Here is what I noticed:

With the switch on 2wd and the hubs on auto i noticed that the driveshaft from the transfer case to the front diff was turning when the truck was driving and I also noticed the left and right u-joints spinning too.
Does that seem right???
Can I drive around like this with out problems? Is there an easy way to
disengage the front hubs? Will replacing the auto hubs fix the problem?

I should add that when the truck was in park and i rocked the vehicle by the front wheel the driveshaft seemed to be free. Maybe the problem is in the transfer case??

When I put it in 4x4 low it did seem to work as the gearing seemed lower and when I cranked the wheel left or right the left or right rear wheel would grab. Does that seem right?

Any suggestions are appreciated... I am new to 4x4 and maybe someone can tell me how to properly check the operation?

Thanks

[ttyR2]

There can be some drag that causes things to spin. Easiest way is to engage 4WD and then at slow speed, turn sharply. You'll feel the drivetrain binding up. If it doesn't, then 4WD is not engaging properly (either hub or transfer case isn't working.

[blue89turbo]

Thanks,

I know what you're saying. it looks like it is engaged when in 2wd though, more than just drag...
I did try it in 4wd and there was some grabbing from the 2 rear wheels when turning the wheel sharply either way.

I am really thinking its the tranfer case not releasing...

How do I check the motor and transfer the case manually?

Thanks

[blue89turbo]

So I crawled under the truck tonight.

I removed the transfer case shift motor and it does seem to operate correctly.
I had the wife move the knob to the three positions. The dash lights work properly and the motor moves to the three different spots.

Now I can only assume that the transfer case is not releasing (as I was thinking)

The only other option that I can think of is that the hubs are not releasing causing the frt driveshaft to spin??? I don't know too much about the hub operation yet, but is it possible that the hubs could be making the front drive shaft spin? Is there any easy way to disengage the hubs? maybe just pulling hubs off for now?

Thanks for any help...

[cghoerichs]

I would suggest starting with the hubs and working inward. The hubs are a snap to pull out and you can troubleshoot them easy enough. And I think I've posted about replacing hubs in a thread a couple of years ago that can help on getting them in and out etc also. The steps to check to see what is going on.
1. With the truck off, leave everything out of 4x4 (hubs and dash switch) reach underneath the front of each wheel and try to turn the front wheel ujoints. You can put a pipe or something else in the ujoint to get some leverage on them to try to make them turn but don't crank on them too hard. Do the ujoints to the front wheels turn? If one does and the other doesn't pull the hub that doesn't turn and try again (indicates a broken hub). Ujoints should both turn free when nothing is in 4x4. A broken hub can lock in 4x4 and sometimes both can get stuck on as well.
2. If both don't turn, try pulling both hubs and spinning the ujoints. If they turn freely with the hubs pulled you have busted hubs. If they still don't turn jack up the truck with the hubs out and spin the tire. If the tire spins without spinning the ujoint with the hubs out you know that you need to keep working your way looking for a transfer case problem.

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