Four wheel drive not working

1998 DODGE TRUCK
100,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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CHRIS1469
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  • 6 POSTS
The four wheel drive was working great. I got hung up a bit so I put it in four wheel. When I hit the gas it jumped up and bang. now the shaft spins but tires do not. What did I brake?
Feb 5, 2017 at 12:44 PM
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STEVE W.
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,200 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Which shaft is spinning? Rear drive shaft? Front drive shaft? Could be that you blew a ring gear or pinion, or broke an axle or U-Joint. Hard to say without more information.
Feb 5, 2017 at 1:52 PM
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CHRIS1469
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Front shaft is spinning just fine.
Feb 5, 2017 at 4:57 PM
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CHRIS1469
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Front U-joints and axles were replace two hundred miles ago by the owner before me. The ball joint went when he was in four wheel and plowing snow. So most of the front end is new.
Feb 5, 2017 at 4:59 PM
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STEVE W.
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,200 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
If the shaft is spinning, but the axles is not providing power, you have either a broken ring gear or pinion. Or the vacuum shift collar broke, or one of the U-Joints or axles broke.
Feb 5, 2017 at 6:00 PM
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CHRIS1469
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Thank you.
Feb 5, 2017 at 7:47 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Or you may have broken an axle or a broken locking hub.

All power would go through the differential (which would be okay), the least resistance would be the break in the axle or hub, it would spin there, unable to power the wheels.

Just a thought.

The Medic



Feb 5, 2017 at 8:06 PM
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