Front axle won't engage - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1969 GMC · 03-22-2003, 11:40 PM

I took the GMC over to a friends house to help him move some boxes of stuff today, and got it stuck for the first time ever...it seems like his lower yard is nuthin but mud and gravel. Anywho, I locked the hubs, and popped it into 4-lo...and nothing happened. Since there were spectators (of course), I checked to see if either of the front wheels were slipping. Neither were. And they sure weren't gripping. Didn't check the driveshaft, though.
Does anyone know what could possibly be wrong? I know for a fact that the 4x4 worked before and after we rebuilt the front driveshaft, and both my hubs still act funny but work (gotta turn 9 times when you're supposed to spin 1/4 turn, I think). Could the hubs be shot? Any answers appreciated

Hooter · 03-23-2003, 12:28 AM

sounds like your hubs are fubar. Just hope it aint your transfer case, although you would probably hear some bad nosies coming out of it if there was anything wrong with it. Another problem could be that your splines on the front driveshaft have all worn out and only half the driveshaft is turning.

1969 GMC · 03-23-2003, 01:26 AM

I will have to look at the driveshaft sometime when I have the truck in 4x, it had better not be worn out splines, I just had the driveshaft rebuilt and it looked fine to me. I am suspecting the hubs, since they take about 9 turns to lock, and even then I don't think that they lock properly. Never had a 4x4 with manual hubs before, I thought they only took (at most) 1 full turn to lock.

**JIMs70GMC** · 03-23-2003, 05:55 AM

Should take less than a turn. 3/4 at most, typically less than 1/2 a turn.

1969 GMC · 03-23-2003, 05:01 PM

Hmm...it looks like my hubs are the culprit, then. Does anyone have a recommendation for aftermarket hubs? I was thinking along the lines of some Warn premiums, but I know there are others. Thanks

smokekiki · 03-25-2003, 12:19 PM

I use warns on both my 4x4s

ckhd · 03-25-2003, 01:40 PM

I like Warns. I have a set on my '69, and on my '90 Dodge 3/4 ton. The other three ('68, '72 and '78 F-250) all have Spicer.

03-22-2003, 11:40 PM	#1
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	Front axle won't engage I took the GMC over to a friends house to help him move some boxes of stuff today, and got it stuck for the first time ever...it seems like his lower yard is nuthin but mud and gravel. Anywho, I locked the hubs, and popped it into 4-lo...and nothing happened. Since there were spectators (of course), I checked to see if either of the front wheels were slipping. Neither were. And they sure weren't gripping. Didn't check the driveshaft, though. Does anyone know what could possibly be wrong? I know for a fact that the 4x4 worked before and after we rebuilt the front driveshaft, and both my hubs still act funny but work (gotta turn 9 times when you're supposed to spin 1/4 turn, I think). Could the hubs be shot? Any answers appreciated __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

03-23-2003, 12:28 AM	#2
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	sounds like your hubs are fubar. Just hope it aint your transfer case, although you would probably hear some bad nosies coming out of it if there was anything wrong with it. Another problem could be that your splines on the front driveshaft have all worn out and only half the driveshaft is turning. __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

03-23-2003, 01:26 AM	#3
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	I will have to look at the driveshaft sometime when I have the truck in 4x, it had better not be worn out splines, I just had the driveshaft rebuilt and it looked fine to me. I am suspecting the hubs, since they take about 9 turns to lock, and even then I don't think that they lock properly. Never had a 4x4 with manual hubs before, I thought they only took (at most) 1 full turn to lock. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

03-23-2003, 05:55 AM	#4
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Should take less than a turn. 3/4 at most, typically less than 1/2 a turn. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

03-23-2003, 05:01 PM	#5
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	Hmm...it looks like my hubs are the culprit, then. Does anyone have a recommendation for aftermarket hubs? I was thinking along the lines of some Warn premiums, but I know there are others. Thanks __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

03-25-2003, 12:19 PM	#6
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,473	I use warns on both my 4x4s __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

03-25-2003, 01:40 PM	#7
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	I like Warns. I have a set on my '69, and on my '90 Dodge 3/4 ton. The other three ('68, '72 and '78 F-250) all have Spicer. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?



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