front axle not locking

[84 monkey]

hi, i just bought an 84 4runner with an 85 front axle. with the t-case disengaged and either one or both of the hubs locked i can spin the drive line by hand so i have no 4x4. is it common for the hubs to stop working like tis on both sides? i figure that i will have to tear into the 3rd member, who knows maby the front axle is missing the guts. can anyone help me as to were i shold start.
thanks

 

[fourwd1]

...with the t-case disengaged and either one or both of the hubs locked i can spin the drive line by hand so i have no 4x4.

Umm, that's normal with an open diff.

 

[cometobanks]

You may have applied this test but if you have not I think you should butt it up against something in some mud or gravel and see if you really have 4x4 or not. or jack up the front driver's wheel and rear passenger wheel and see if they both turn under power.

 

[DC runner]

the hub only locks to the CV half joint. If the cv half joint is turning when the hub is locked, then the hub part is working.

The other side, in the transfer case, is where when you engage 4x4 it will lock up.


The easiest way to check if you have 4x4 is to engage it and crank the wheel sharply in parking lot. (do not do this for extended periods as it can cause "wind up).

But, if your 4x4 is engaged, you will feel the front tires chirping. This is caused by the 2 wheels turning at the same rate but having different curves. The inside wheel is chirping because it will be "skipping" as it is forced to turn with the other wheel.

If you don't hear this... then your 4x4 is likely busted.

 

[84 monkey]

oh, duh if i have an open diff and one hub isint working the drive line will be free, right?

 

[BucknutBob]

the hub only locks to the CV half joint. If the cv half joint is turning when the hub is locked, then the hub part is working.

The other side, in the transfer case, is where when you engage 4x4 it will lock up.


The easiest way to check if you have 4x4 is to engage it and crank the wheel sharply in parking lot. (do not do this for extended periods as it can cause "wind up).

But, if your 4x4 is engaged, you will feel the front tires chirping. This is caused by the 2 wheels turning at the same rate but having different curves. The inside wheel is chirping because it will be "skipping" as it is forced to turn with the other wheel.

If you don't hear this... then your 4x4 is likely busted.

I respectfully disagree--no tire noise under these circumstances is perfectly normal in 4WD with open diffs, and even diffs with traction devices may move smoothly, or with only occasional chirps as the diff tries to lock. Only a selectable locker that's engaged, or a spool, will force the tires to turn at the same speed all the time, even on pavement. No tire noise is NOT a clear indication of the 4WD's operation.

 

[84 monkey]

the drive line should not spin with both hubs locked right. with an open diff and one hub locked it will spin though.?. i am learning so bear with me and thank you for all the help

 

[KidVermicious]

the drive line should not spin with both hubs locked right. with an open diff and one hub locked it will spin though.?. i am learning so bear with me and thank you for all the help

Yes and yes.

You said you can spin the shaft with both hubs locked? That's not right. Could be something screwy in the diff, or it could just be a busted hub.