4 Wheel Drive/SUVs: F250 doent disengage properly, manual hubs, f250 4x4

Question
I have a 2001 F250 4x4.After leaving the beach yesterday I noticed the front driveshaft still spinning in 2 wheel drive.I backed up a good ways tried re engaging several times but the front shaft still spins in 2 wheel drive.I have 4x4 switch on the dash. The hubs are unlocking so the truck spins like its in 2wheel drive. Years ago I painted the front shaft & remember while in park u could freely turn the front shaft.not any more .I tried several times this morning in the dirt moving back & forth, same results the hubs would unlock but the shaft still spins in 2wheel drive.Is this normal & I'm just thinking of my last truck or am I just losing my mind????

Answer
Mark,

If you are positive that the hubs are unlocking, then there is a chance that the transfer case is not completely disengaging.

If you have manual hubs, and you are turning them to the free position, sometimes they still hang up, and may need to be checked.

I would have your transfer case, and hubs serviced and all fluids checked in the transmission and differentials at the same time.

Carl