2000 Ford F150 4WD engagement and disengagement

2000 FORD F-150
87,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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BRADY_2427
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I have a manual stick shifter for 4x4 but it's suppose to be "shift on the fly". When 4x4 hi is engaged it seems louder than normal and almost feels like the truck is dragging. When I disengage it the truck still feels like it's dragging and is louder for a few minutes then it goes away and drives normal again.

I had it looked at and the mechanic lubed the shifter, and the shifter is smoother, but it's still loud and has that dragging feeling (hence no real change).

Do you think the 4wd isn't fully engaging and disengaging?

The engagement pin was replaced last year when the 4wd completely went out, is there possibly lingering effects from that?

Thanks or any info,
Brady
Jan 16, 2008 at 11:41 AM
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MASTERTECHTIM
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sounds like your front differential is low on gear oil. problem is not in shifter or transfer case. definately check front differential, noone checks the fluid level when performing oil changes. i hope this helps. feedback greatly appreciated.
Jan 16, 2008 at 11:45 AM
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BRADY_2427
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I talked to my mechanic and he said he checked the front differential gear oil and it looked good. Any other suggestions? He said he lubed all the shifter components and on the lift it was shifting smoothly and engaging. Sadly, he didn't test drive it. The other mechanic (the one I didn't trust) said the shifter was all corroded under the truck and wouldn't engage the 4x4 completely.

He spoke of some kit Ford had to deal with the corroded parts for like $500 so I took it to my current mechanic and he lubed it all up for like $70.

The noises do sound like they are coming from the front end and there is even some vibration that can be felt.

Any more thoughts?
Jan 16, 2008 at 1:42 PM
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MASTERTECHTIM
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now you said something about your shifter linkage. i know the pin your talking about. you should be able to move the shifter effortlessly, if not all you have to do is remove the shifter assembly and remove the pin and take it to a wire wheel, lube it and reinstall it. your good mechanic could do the whole job in about an hour, maybe a little longer. now the vibration in the front end. do you have auto locking hubs, because it sounds like it might be taking a little longer for them to disengage. let us know.
Jan 16, 2008 at 2:15 PM