4WD Help Please
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Joined: Apr 2014
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4WD Help Please
Hi guys, I just bought a 96 F150 4WD. The guy I bought it from has a manual locking hub on the Passenger side, and still has the factory Auto locking hub on the drivers side. I am going to replace both hubs with a new set of manual locking ones.I had some trouble getting the 4wd to work this morning, so I started trying to troubleshoot it a lil and have a question.
When the truck is in 2wd, I can turn the front drive shaft by hand, when I shift into 4wd, I cant, so I know the transfer case is shifting, but when it is in 2wd and I am turning the drive shaft, the axle and U-Joint on the passenger side both turn when the hub is unlocked, and stops turning if I lock the hub. Which I assume is normal.
My question is this, When I am turning the drive shaft by hand, the axle and U-Joint on the drivers side (Auto Locking Hub) Turns about 1/8 of a turn and stops. I can still turn the drive shaft, but the U-Joint on the tire doesnt. Is this normal? I know the auto hubs are junk, but do I have something else going on besides the Hub being junk?
Sorry so long, but thanks in advance for any help.
When the truck is in 2wd, I can turn the front drive shaft by hand, when I shift into 4wd, I cant, so I know the transfer case is shifting, but when it is in 2wd and I am turning the drive shaft, the axle and U-Joint on the passenger side both turn when the hub is unlocked, and stops turning if I lock the hub. Which I assume is normal.
My question is this, When I am turning the drive shaft by hand, the axle and U-Joint on the drivers side (Auto Locking Hub) Turns about 1/8 of a turn and stops. I can still turn the drive shaft, but the U-Joint on the tire doesnt. Is this normal? I know the auto hubs are junk, but do I have something else going on besides the Hub being junk?
Sorry so long, but thanks in advance for any help.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
That is normal, it's how a working auto hub operates. the axle needs to turn a little and then it will engage. To disengage it you need to turn the wheel the opposite direction.
Auto hubs are not junk. They can fail to disengage, especially if they are old and gunked up (but so can manual hubs). And they can break under abuse (but so can manual hubs). Having said that, most manual hubs are more reliable than most auto hubs, but used and maintained correctly auto hubs can last a long time while giving a level of convenience that some people really appreciate.
But I still prefer manual hubs too.
Auto hubs are not junk. They can fail to disengage, especially if they are old and gunked up (but so can manual hubs). And they can break under abuse (but so can manual hubs). Having said that, most manual hubs are more reliable than most auto hubs, but used and maintained correctly auto hubs can last a long time while giving a level of convenience that some people really appreciate.
But I still prefer manual hubs too.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2014
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Thank you very much man! This is the first 4wd vehicle I have owned and wasnt sure about why that axle wasnt turning. I am going to replace both hubs with manual lock, but I was afraid there was something going on with the front differential. Thanks again!
FTE Legend
Joined: May 2008
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From: In my own world
It's working
The only reason I took the auto hubs off my 94, Ford no longer makes the wheel bearing nut that the auto hub requires. I had a wheel bearing problem, and the nut is a one time use only, so I had to replace it. Sadly, the hubs were good, and I couldn't give them away, so I scrapped them
Milemarker makes a kit that gives you both hubs, and everything it takes to convert to manual hubs for a reasonable price.
I bought my kit from Jeff's bronco graveyard, they are a FTE sponsor, you can find them in the small printing up in the top of the heading, or just click here http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...co%20Graveyard
The only reason I took the auto hubs off my 94, Ford no longer makes the wheel bearing nut that the auto hub requires. I had a wheel bearing problem, and the nut is a one time use only, so I had to replace it. Sadly, the hubs were good, and I couldn't give them away, so I scrapped them
Milemarker makes a kit that gives you both hubs, and everything it takes to convert to manual hubs for a reasonable price.
I bought my kit from Jeff's bronco graveyard, they are a FTE sponsor, you can find them in the small printing up in the top of the heading, or just click here http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...co%20Graveyard
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 17
From: SW Florida
I've taken a truck with autos out to Redneck Yacht Club and gave them a good thrashing without failure, but I think the general consensus is auto hubs are for driving up the grassy berm out back... anything else requires manual hubs to be reliable.
And if your auto hubs fail in the locked position, consider yourself lucky... every one I've seen fail (my 88 B2 with the top hat hubs, and an OBS F-150 (not mine) with 3 screw autos refused to engage just when they were needed.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 328
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From: Beacon Falls, CT
WARN Manual Locking Hubs
I bought a set of WARN Manual Locking Hubs for my 92 F150 FWD. They are only two years old and the chrome has completely peeled off on this part. Can anybody recommend a decent replacement set that wouldn't look like poo in a few years and was good quality ?
Regards,
Larry
Regards,
Larry
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,652
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From: Mooresville, NC
I redid a set last year --- "mild" media blast then powder coat in red then into the oven........very clean look..................................these were older Warn's and this might not work on your "base" material..........
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 17
From: SW Florida
I bought a set of WARN Manual Locking Hubs for my 92 F150 FWD. They are only two years old and the chrome has completely peeled off on this part. Can anybody recommend a decent replacement set that wouldn't look like poo in a few years and was good quality ?
Regards,
Larry
Regards,
Larry
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
Any hub can stick, sure, but the real problem with auto hubs is when you need to go between forward/reverse real quick, like when rocking the truck out of a rut. Each time you change direction the hubs unlock and then re-lock. The re-locking under power is what blows them out.
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