First Snow - 4x4 doesnt work! COME ON IN

[410Fortune]

So I cannot help to notice the amount of "HELP 4x4 doesnt work! " threads going on right now

People your 4x4 system is designed to be USED
You need to engage the transfer case and hubs into 4hi and 4low at least a couple of times during the summer to make sure its working when you need it.

Letting it sit without using it is what causes it to FAIL
Do not WAIT until you need it to find out it doesnt work, thats the same thing as grabbing your gun when an intruder is in your home, only to find out the ammo is in the garage.......... get it?

TEST YOUR 4x4 DURING THE SPRING/SUMMER/FALL TOO!!



-Hubs need to be cleaned and lubed
-electric shift motors need to be checked, cleaned and lubed
-transfer cases need to have fluid in them, checked and replaced if needed
-Driveshafts, U joints, axles, differentials all need to be checked and serviced
-Front ends should be given a "shake down" test at least every year, especially if your Ford is old enough to start having 4x4 troubles.....

My push button 4x4 has only not worked for me one time in 300K miles.....because I keep my front end serviced, my t case filled, my hubs clean and lubed and I use my 4x4 all year around

Good luck! that is all....... Happy holidays!

 

[96eb96]

Yes! Replace your decade old fluid too before it gets cold out! It is so easy to do. There is a sticky up the page, maybe do it right now!

Especially 97+ Control trac and AWD units that are CONSTANTLY using the transfer case.

These cases do have clutches and depend on the fluid for cooling, lubrication and seal integrity. The do get hot, have a small pump I believe, and have some normal wear which accumulates in an internal filter. The fluid change takes care of that.

I definately noticed a difference when I put in fresh fluid. If you look at the repair diaries of these things you can see the delicate shift forks and clutches that rely on this fluid.

Use ONLY Mercon fluid, not Mercon V. This is the official word from Ford/Motorcraft (read the exclusion). Any name brand Mercon is fine. It takes about 1.5 qts, so for $6 bucks you can do this service every one or two years.

Maybe if the service interval on these things were decreased, they would last longer. I believe it is 100K miles. I wonder how many are failing at say 120K after someone buys the vehicle used and never does it? A dealer would probably charge $100 for this service, it is easier than an oil change.

 

[HahnsB2]

I dunno what you're talking about... I can drive for 100,000 miles without ever using 4x4 and it would still work when I needed it : When my rig still had the electric t-case, the only time it ever failed was during it's test drive, hit the motor with a hammer, after that it never failed again, because I USED IT!!! The t-case itself was dieing and I hate that push button crap anyways so I swapped it.

 

[loaderopp]

So I cannot help to notice the amount of "HELP 4x4 doesnt work! " threads going on right now

People your 4x4 system is designed to be USED
You need to engage the transfer case and hubs into 4hi and 4low at least a couple of times during the summer to make sure its working when you need it.

Letting it sit without using it is what causes it to FAIL
Do not WAIT until you need it to find out it doesnt work, thats the same thing as grabbing your gun when an intruder is in your home, only to find out the ammo is in the garage.......... get it?

TEST YOUR 4x4 DURING THE SPRING/SUMMER/FALL TOO!!



-Hubs need to be cleaned and lubed
-electric shift motors need to be checked, cleaned and lubed
-transfer cases need to have fluid in them, checked and replaced if needed
-Driveshafts, U joints, axles, differentials all need to be checked and serviced
-Front ends should be given a "shake down" test at least every year, especially if your Ford is old enough to start having 4x4 troubles.....

My push button 4x4 has only not worked for me one time in 300K miles.....because I keep my front end serviced, my t case filled, my hubs clean and lubed and I use my 4x4 all year around

Good luck! that is all....... Happy holidays!

plus 1,000 service is cheap!

 

[snoborder42]

This is so very true...

My 4wd stopped working, so I fixed it over the summer, when it was dry and 80 degrees, not snowing and 20 degrees...

Been using my 4wd all week too, it's so nice to push that button see the light and go where ever I need to go...