Need help have NO clue why my front wheels are locked up!!

[FordFairLane]

Changed brakes on my 2004 Ford Expedition 4x4 and after the front end was locked up. Figured the caliper was locked up. So I bleed the brakes and took the wheel off and the caliper is free as a bird but the rotor still won't spin. Again I took off the caliper but the rotor won't spin thus is not the caliper or brakes. Anyways, back tires spin but the front are locked up. Has to be something with the drive train I figure but what could have happened from changing the brakes (or coincidence). And what would cause the front end to lock up (besides brakes again is NOT the brakes) but let the backend still be free. I was thinking 4x4 but wouldn't that screw both front and back up.

 

[sgtowing]

I would start the truck and cycle the 4x4 and 4 low as well. Also check the vacuum lines to the front hubs.

Sent from my Galaxy SIII Using Tapatalk2

 

[mindgame]

Look at the engine side of the front wheel hubs. You should see 2 vacuum stubs, one larger than the other. With the wheel raised, apply a vacuum pump to the larger inlet. This will "disengage" the front hub with the spindle so it will spin freely.

When the engine is off, the hubs are "engaged" (no vacuum).
When engine is running and set on 2WD, vacuum is applied and hub spokes are retracted from spindle, thus you can spin the wheel freely...

Hope this helps..

 

[FordFairLane]

That does help. Ok, so now thinking back when I replaced the rotors the mounting bracket for the caliper had two 18mm bolts locked solid. No matter how much penetrating lube I used they would not break free so I torched them for a minute to get them hot. Do you think this effed up the vacuum lines?

 

[mindgame]

That does help. Ok, so now thinking back when I replaced the rotors the mounting bracket for the caliper had two 18mm bolts locked solid. No matter how much penetrating lube I used they would not break free so I torched them for a minute to get them hot. Do you think this effed up the vacuum lines?

The quick test is to connect a vacuum pump to the larger inlet. Pump to maybe -20psi.. Spin the front wheel... If it spins.. then the leak is else where...

 

[FordFairLane]

If I put the truck in 4 lo would it then move do you think. Assuming thats the problem?

I'm not near the truck but the wife is. So if she can put it in 4 lo and it drives I can just buy new vacuum lines.

 

[FordFairLane]

And I just remembered when I jacked up the expedition I tried to losen the drivers front wheel and she spun freely. So I dropped it an inch and then loosen up the lugs. So it did spin at first.

 

[mindgame]

If I put the truck in 4 lo would it then move do you think. Assuming thats the problem?

I'm not near the truck but the wife is. So if she can put it in 4 lo and it drives I can just buy new vacuum lines.

If you put it in 4lo, the vacuum is disabled, thus the hubs will be locked..

I am lost... What are you trying to do right now? Unlock the hubs so you can drive in 2WD?

 

[toms89]

If you put it in 4lo, the vacuum is disabled, thus the hubs will be locked..

I am lost... What are you trying to do right now? Unlock the hubs so you can drive in 2WD?

Its not clear to me if it locked up as you tried to drive or you just noticed it locked up while on jack stands?! If your have it on jack stands... from what everyone here says its normal. Obviously if your trying to drive it and they are locked up its not but then the 4wd will not keep it from moving unless maybe your at full turn in 4hi or 4lo. It will then bind up.

 

[FordFairLane]

The quick test is to connect a vacuum pump to the larger inlet. Pump to maybe -20psi.. Spin the front wheel... If it spins.. then the leak is else where...

Right as rain. I took the self bleeder kit I have and attached it to the bigger inlet pumped it up to 25 psi and she spun. The thing is the vacuum line looked fine on that end so I am assuming the line from the other end is effed up and that if one end is not getting pressure the other end won't either. Does anyone know where to get that line at? I looked at Advance auto, rock auto, and napa and can't find that line listed. I assume it would be called the actuator vacuum line.

 

[mindgame]

okay... Since I had to jack up front end up I decided to do some observing...

When I jacked my front driver side tire up. I was able to spin the tire with the engine off.

However, when I spun it, the front drive shaft spun also... Thus letting me know that the front transfer case is disengaged.

Soo.. From what I can deduce.. Your hubs are working as it should from the sound of it....

Your problem maybe your front transfer case is locked therefore when you have one wheel jacked up, you are unable to spin the tire..

You are correct that you should be able to spin the front tire.. However, it is not because the hub are locked.. Its because your transfer case should be disengaged, which it sounds like it is not..


Hope this helps..

 

[FordFairLane]

okay... Since I had to jack up front end up I decided to do some observing...

When I jacked my front driver side tire up. I was able to spin the tire with the engine off.

However, when I spun it, the front drive shaft spun also... Thus letting me know that the front transfer case is disengaged.

Soo.. From what I can deduce.. Your hubs are working as it should from the sound of it....

Your problem maybe your front transfer case is locked therefore when you have one wheel jacked up, you are unable to spin the tire..

You are correct that you should be able to spin the front tire.. However, it is not because the hub are locked.. Its because your transfer case should be disengaged, which it sounds like it is not..


Hope this helps..

Ok. So I lifted the drivers side front and tried to spin the wheel. Locked solid. So then I applied the vacuum pump with 25 psi to the big inlet and again tried to spin and she spun freely. I did not try the otherside because I figured you were right and the line is not sealed thus no vacuum is being applied to the inlet. So I was thinking stick new lines on and I should be good to go.

But now you think it might be the transfer case? I think you were right from the start and it was the hub.

 

[mindgame]

But now you think it might be the transfer case? I think you were right from the start and it was the hub.

Yup... I think it is the transfer case...

Like I stated earlier..

I jacked the front tire driver side up... It spins freely including the front drive shaft... *The engine is off!!*

I think your TC is locked if you cant spin your front wheel when lifted with the engine is **off**.

 

[FordFairLane]

Yup... I think it is the transfer case...

Like I stated earlier..

I jacked the front tire driver side up... It spins freely including the front drive shaft... *The engine is off!!*

I think your TC is locked if you cant spin your front wheel when lifted with the engine is **off**.

But why can I spin it when I apply pressure to the big inlet on the actuator hub?

 

[toms89]

But why can I spin it when I apply pressure to the big inlet on the actuator hub?

You are dis-engaging the hub.

Have you tried to drive the vehicle?? It may be a stupid question but its not clear to me if you have or have not. If you have not, you may be overly concerned about being able to spin the wheel while its in the air. The hubs have to have vacuum to unlock or both front wheels need to be in the air to allow the other to spin or it must be able to spin the front driveshaft.

If the wheel is only locked up while its in the air its the 4wd drivetrain holding it and it may not be a concern. Now if you try to drive and it does not move thats an entirely different story.

It would be very coincidental if you are having 4wd issues right after you serviced your brakes.

 

[FordFairLane]

You are dis-engaging the hub.

Have you tried to drive the vehicle?? It may be a stupid question but its not clear to me if you have or have not. If you have not, you may be overly concerned about being able to spin the wheel while its in the air. The hubs have to have vacuum to unlock or both front wheels need to be in the air to allow the other to spin or it must be able to spin the front driveshaft.

If the wheel is only locked up while its in the air its the 4wd drivetrain holding it and it may not be a concern. Now if you try to drive and it does not move thats an entirely different story.

It would be very coincidental if you are having 4wd issues right after you serviced your brakes.

But he is stating it is the transfer case?

Yes, I put the truck down and tried to drive but the front was locked up. I then jacked it up and the wheels would not spin. Then I applied a vacuum to the big inlet and the rotor spun. I called the ford dealer and he informed me there are several parts to this hose and the part connected to the hub is about $100 each. He then just said it would be cheaper to find a kit and splice it together. I'm going to try that tomorrow if it works great if not I might buy the hose if they will let me bring it back.

 

[bubbadabulldawg]

Read this post................ [url]http://www.expeditionforum.com/f41/swapped-out-my-4wd-vacuum-valve-today-19006/[/URL]
I bought the IWE solenoid from Ford $55 and found out that the right wheel vacuum controlled hub was not engaging and replaced both sides bought hub the parts from NAPA around $240 and also replaced the left axle shaft after finding that the boot at the wheel was deteriorated and allowing axle grease to sling out $53 Advanced Auto Parts brand new not rebuilt and no core charge. The hubs are engaged when the truck is off, it needs engine vacuum to release hubs to allow to spin freely without turning axle halves and front drive shaft.