2004 Ford F-150 No 4X4

JKERR

MEMBER
2004 FORD F-150
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
10,700 MILES

Recently I have started to hear a rattling noise in the front end typically when I am in over drive and going up a hill before the transmission shifts down a gear. Since then I have noticed when I lock it into 4 wheel drive only the back tires are spinning. There aren't any noise out of the ordinary while in 4x4 other than the clicking noise when you first engage it, but I have heard that in the past. I was told that the rattling noise came from the front driver shaft rubbing on a heat shield that was bent, but I am now suspicious that there is much more wrong with the four wheel drive not working.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Is that the only time you hear the noise? You mentioned that the 4wd isn't working. Have you checked for power to the actuator on the transfer case?

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Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 AT 10:41 AM

JKERR

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I hear the noise whenever I'm driving down the highway and there is more stress put on the engine (like going up a hill when the RPM's drop). I only hear it when it is in over drive. I just had a mechanic look at it a couple weeks ago and they didn't find anything other than a bent heat guard.

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Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 AT 11:43 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Did he check to see if the catalytic converter or resinator are in good condition? Many times the insides will come loose and they will rattle inside.

I wish I could hear it. I could tell you in a second. Try this. Take a rubber mallot and tap on the exhaust system to see if you can recreate the sound.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 AT 12:04 PM

JKERR