cant tell if my 4wd is stuck

[lbikid7]

i just bought a 1994 ford explorer today took a long high way road test every thing seemed perferct, when i got back i tested to make shure the 4wd worked and it did. then when i bought it and drowe it home on the freeway at 55 to 65 it seemed louder than i first herd. i dont know if im just paranoid or not. the 4wd isint showing on the dash and the switch light isint onn. how do i check to make shure it isint?

 

[RangerX]

After you push the button to disengage 4wd, you have to back up 10-20 feet to disengage the auto hubs. (assuming yours has the auto hubs)

 

[cloaked_chaos]

Try turning in a very tight radius in dirt. The front wheels will lock up and drag a little on each rotation if the hubs are locked.

 

[lbikid7]

i backed up 20 feet and that did the trick, i jacked it up just to make shure after and the front wheels were spinning freely. thanks for all the advice this is all good stuff to know!

 

[RangerX]

If yours still has the owners manual in the glove box, the whole proper 4x4 engage and disengage is covered in it.
If you don't have it, every time you turn off 4x4, you need to back up to unlock the auto hubs.