Front wheels not pulling

[graham1524]

This trucks really starting to be a pain in the ass. So I hardly drive the truck being in school but have alwayys had problems with the rear wheels spinning without really giving it any gas. So I put it on jackstands and the front wheels arent even pulling.

SO search got me nothing, what do I need to look at first?

 

[jeepruby04]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

I'm assuming that all the parts are there, propshaft, halfshafts, diff, etc. With it running in gear on the jackstands, start looking at the t-case first and see where the driveline stops turning.

 

[graham1524]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

I'm assuming that all the parts are there, propshaft, halfshafts, diff, etc. With it running in gear on the jackstands, start looking at the t-case first and see where the driveline stops turning.

Yup all parts are there and connected. Will start further diagnostics soon

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

T case has failed.

 

[BoostedSUV]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

X2... T-case is not transfering power

 

[Don W.]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

Well he could have stripped the front ring & pinion but I suppose it will depend on if the front drive-line is turning. Up in the air could it turn with no load even it the TC is bad. I would guess yes but really don't know. On the other hand if the drive-line turns and the wheels don't then it's the front dif eh?

No fun either way.

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

DaveP had a good write up about how to test the xfer case, but I believe it's MIA, now. Maybe send him a PM and ask for a short tutorial.

 

[graham1524]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

got her in the air again and the transfer case is transferring and the motion stops at the front diff. The driverside halfshaft has a lot of play and seems not connected to anything insidethe passenger side is firm no play but neither spin. now to go through old posts and see what I do from here

 

[Don W.]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

Jack each front tire individually and see it you can turn it. Assuming you can turn the drivers side only it may be just a failed half-shaft. Although I would think there would be lots of noise from there when you drove it.

If neither front dif flange (where the half-shafts attach) turns when you did your test then it's probably internal.

Where in that half-shaft is the play?

 

[graham1524]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

Jack each front tire individually and see it you can turn it. Assuming you can turn the drivers side only it may be just a failed half-shaft. Although I would think there would be lots of noise from there when you drove it.

If neither front dif flange (where the half-shafts attach) turns when you did your test then it's probably internal.

Where in that half-shaft is the play?

The white circle is where. The part that goes into the diff is pulled out about 3/4 inch and you can see a nice shine on the end.

On jacks in neutral both tires spin freely. But theres no noise when driving or noticeable clunk

 

[bonesdmz]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

Jack each front tire individually and see it you can turn it. Assuming you can turn the drivers side only it may be just a failed half-shaft. Although I would think there would be lots of noise from there when you drove it.

If neither front dif flange (where the half-shafts attach) turns when you did your test then it's probably internal.

Where in that half-shaft is the play?

I think this is kinda wrong.

If front driveshaft is turning, and neither of the CV-axles don't with one of them (driver side) loose, it looks like driver's axle is busted. So front diff will be open, and both wheels will easily turn when jacked up individually.

graham1524, drain the front diff. See if there's any metal bits inside.

 

[Don W.]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

I swear I answered this but my post isn't there. Weird.

Anyway. I agree. Drivers side axle shaft is prolly sheared. (There is no drain plug or other way to drain fluid BTW.) So remove that halfshaft and see if that axle falls out. If so there's your trouble. The problem is the broken piece will still be in the dif with no way to get it out because of its retainer clip. (Normally you would whack the axle and the clip would come out with the axle.)

So if all these assumptions are true then you're still going to have to pull the front dif and split it. A) To get the broken piece out and, B) to clean the crud. AKA rebuild the thing.

 

[bonesdmz]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

There is no drain plug or other way to drain fluid BTW.

Oops, my bad. How do you service it, then?

 

[Don W.]

Re: Front wheels not pulling

I suppose you could use a small vacuum pump like the ones claiming to suck your pan dry out the dip stick tube??