how to tell if hubs are stuck engaged 97 2500

wrenchinup · Feb 21, 2020

Getting a lot of vibration on the highway like maybe the hubs are engaged. I jacked up both wheels (one at a time) and both felt tight, U joints looked good. But going down the highway in 2 wheel high it feels like my hubs are engaged. All the locking hubs I've ever had would leave the wheels free if out. Jacked up they don't rotate, which seems to me to indicate the front axle is engaged. But I've never had one of these vacuum units and don't know how to tell if it is engaged. Any info would be greatly appreciated, I need to take a long trip soon.

392DevilDog · Feb 21, 2020

Unless someone added them it should not have locking hubs.

It has a CAD axle. Center Axle Disconnect.

It is possible that this didn't release. It is vacuum actuated and the vacuum system is known to fail.

That said...I permanently locked mine and it causes no issues driving on the road.

Probably be better off starting your search with tires, wheels, steering and suspension components

wrenchinup · Feb 21, 2020

Thanks, yes the hubs don't lock.

I'm still wondering how to tell if the hubs are in or out.

Where did you see "Tires wheel, steering and suspention components"? I see under suspension only "raised or lowered" issues

Travelin Ram · Feb 22, 2020

There are no disconnecting hubs, vacuum or otherwise. The axle shafts turn all the time. The center axle disconnect divides the long shaft into two disconnected halves so the front ring and pinion do not turn. If it’s working properly the spider gears are the only thing moving in the front diff.

Check your shift linkage and verify it’s going into and out of 2hi and not hanging up.

If the CAD sticks connected your front R&P and prop shaft will turn, that could add some vibration.

Good luck, I hate chasing noises and vibration.

392DevilDog · Feb 22, 2020

wrenchinup said:
Thanks, yes the hubs don't lock.

I'm still wondering how to tell if the hubs are in or out.

Where did you see "Tires wheel, steering and suspention components"? I see under suspension only "raised or lowered" issues

Let's start from the top.

You have a vibration going down the highway.

Your truck doesn't have hubs...are you meaning wheel bearings locking up?

Next. Your truck has a CAD axle. What I said was, I have mine permanently locked and have no vibrations on the highway...hence why I think your vibration has nothing to do with hubs or axles.

What I meant by search...I should have used inspect.

I think your issue would be with a tire or a wheel or a shock or spring or mount, or a tie rod end or steering linkage.

Unless your truck is stuck in 4wd but you would now this right away...of you tried to turn and the truck would hop.

So to begin with...is your truck in 2wd?

If it is, I would look at suspension components, steering components, tires/wheels and driveshafts.

wrenchinup · Feb 23, 2020

Thanks, I’m agreeing it’s probably not the differential but it is stuck engaged, the axles not the T case which is in 2High and there’s no hopping going on, no binding. I just remembered I was thinking a while back I’d put in one of the kits to get rid of the vacuum actuator and replace it with a manual cable. Posi Lok makes one. I am still puzzled however that it’s stuck IN as all I’ve ever heard of the actuator being stuck was in Out. Also I have only had old chevys but every diff I ever ran on the highway with hubs (and thus axles) engaged vibrated pretty good. Maybe you’ve got better bearings than my old chevys had or maybe Dodge has an improved design but once I get those axles disengaged I’ll have a better idea what’s going on. Thanks again

wrenchinup · Feb 23, 2020

Traveling Ram, I just adjusted the T case shifter and got an extra spot to shift into so jacked up the right wheel and darned if it didn’t free wheel. So you were right on, it wasn’t getting into 2 H. I put about 200 highway miles on it like that since I rebuilt the T case myself so I hope I didn’t hurt it too bad. It’s now at the very end of the adjusting stick, maybe cuz it’s the same stick I had on the DLD. It’s a DHD now. I’ll see if I can find a longer one. I thought before I had all 4 spots but turned out that neutral had two of them, right and left. Thanks a bunch

wrenchinup · Feb 23, 2020

What happens when you drive a hundred miles on pavement in 4H ? I did it twice on this. I know it’s not good but just curious just how bad it is

Travelin Ram · Feb 24, 2020

Glad you found the problem. I think you got nothing to worry about with the tcase. Maybe a tiny bit of wear from the pavement. They are pretty tough, the guys with pumped up diesels are launching them at the drag strip in 4H.

I may have done that myself a time or two

Never broke one.

how to tell if hubs are stuck engaged 97 2500

wrenchinup

Junior Member

392DevilDog

Senior Member

wrenchinup

Junior Member

Travelin Ram

Senior Member

392DevilDog

Senior Member

wrenchinup

Junior Member

wrenchinup

Junior Member

wrenchinup

Junior Member

Travelin Ram

Senior Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Staff online

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page