I've been reading numerous other posts about noises and problems with the automatic locking hubs on the 93's. I just wanted some other views on what the problem could possibly be before I throw down some cash into this issue.

The Truck:
1993 F-250 Super-Cab 460 7.5l 4x4

The History:
Purchased the truck from the second owner. The first owners must have worked the hell out of it (i.e. light bar installs, fifth wheel conversion, cb's, and some careless conversions). The truck is lifted with blocks in the back under the leaf springs. When I purchased the truck the steering was extremely loose, and the steering wheel wasn't aligned correctly. When I took the truck in I noted that there was popping whenever backing in sharply and turning the wheel to the right, same goes for sharp turns when going forward. I took it into the dealership because they're the only one that had a lift that could fit it, they said the alignment was perfect but needed a new power steering gear box and cam slugs. Much money later, I got it back, drove it home, and while backing it into the driveway, I cranked the wheel, it popped so I loosened up the turn and then the engine cut and died. Few weeks later, there is constant popping when doing sharp turns and the risk of the engine dying (although it happens rarely).

What I've done:
Besides all the reading I've done on the issue I just cannot pin point it down to one thing, I've looked at the U-joints and checked if the hubs were locked. I jacked up the truck, spun the wheels, and they each moved freely without the driveshaft moving. I was about to order the conversion from automatic to manual but would like to know for sure they're the hubs. As far as the cutting out problem, I'm pretty sure its just the pressure switch(?) on the gearbox as what the mechanic told me at ford.

Can anyone guide me for more tests I can perform to figure out this issue?

Thank you in advance!!

 

check the bolts where the radius arms bolt on. make sure there tight.

 

That could be stock. 4WD F-250s and F-350s of this era had lift blocks above the rear axle from the factory. Not saying yours wasn't lifted farther, but blocks are to be expected.

On the hubs, if they are disengaging (and from what you say, they are) then going to manual hubs probably won't change anything (except give you more confidence that the hubs are doing what you want). It might still be worth doing, but I doubt it will fix the popping.

 

Here's a picture of the truck so you guys got an idea of what I'm working with. Checked the radius arms in the front and everything seems tight, same with the ball joints, and no rubbing on the wheel wells.

 

Damn, I like that thing.

Check your beam pivot bushings and spring bushings. Have someone move the wheel back and forth (rapidly back and forth, not turning the wheel one way then the other) while you look at all of the components.

 

Welp, sometimes the things you think are the most complicated are the simplest.... Turns out there is a faint spot on the drivers leaf spring that the wheel rubs against when backing in. Stumped the Ford techs and me lol, took my dad 5 minutes.

Ive gotten new cam slugs and an alignment recently, does anyone know a course of action from here? Or is smaller tires the only resolution to the problem.

Nbing

 

Don't turn so sharp?

Seriously, the driver's front 33 on my Bronco rubs the radius arm REALLY bad in a sharp left turn. I just don't make left turns that sharp. Problem solved.

 

Lol + 7 characters.