1994 F150 XLT 4x4 6cyl. Automatic with automatic locking hubs.

When I put the truck in 4x4 it locks in the hubs and goes in to 4wd fine. But then when you drive it feels like the brakes are on in the front end. It is really bad when turning the wheel, it is hard to turn the wheel and the front end feels like it is locking up, bucking, jumping. What could be the cause of this?

 

The cause could be using 4x4 on pavement. That will cause what you are seeing.

Does it do this in low traction areas or just high traction? If the tires can't slip you'll get this problem.

 

This is what I thought but it seems like it does it on grass too, is that low traction enough? I live in Tennessee and really have no need for 4x4 so I don't ever use it.

It doesn't do it as bad going straight but it seems like I have to give it quite a bit of gas to get it going. This is on pavement as well. It just seems what it is doing is a little excessive for just being on pavement. Hubs and 4x4 engage normally just very rough driving.

Hopefully it is just the pavement factor. Otherwise am I looking at a screwed up front differential?

 

STOP what you are doing before you break something!!

Grass is not low traction enough!

Since you won't be using your 4x4 much you still need to engage it at least once a month all year to keep it working well for when you do need it!

Yes it takes a lot of gas to get it going in 4x4 you have just added a 50% increase in driveline mass when you hit the 4x4 switch.

if you really want to test it out find some mud or really lose gravel roads.

 

Ouch....Mine has done the same thing sense I got the truck last March...Only going in a strait line will it run not to bad...I had 3 other 4x4's and they were not as bad as this one..Mine has the 4x4 button on the dash...

Your right that it has to be used in 4x4 or it can freeze up on you...I thought that having the 265/70/17 tires were causing this to happen...