Headed home from my dad's earlier this morning, stopped for gas, and when I got rolling again I heard a clunk followed by clicking which became a loud hum as I picked up speed. It sounded like it was coming from the left front. I pulled over when I could but didn't see anything obvious, and now am back at dad's. With the transfer case in 2hi, the manual tranny in gear, and all 4 wheels on the ground I can freely turn the front drive shaft in reverse, which in turn spins the left axle shafts and seems to produce the clicking sound. The right axle shafts don't turn. I can't turn the drive shaft very far in the other direction - which would be driving forward - it catches.

I'm not familiar with what's supposed to turn when, but does this sound like a broken automatic hub? If so, is driving the truck (I'm 130 miles from home!) going to cause further damage or pose a hazard? I can deal with the noise but don't want anything to grenade or otherwise create a dangerous situation. I've got a new set of manual hubs, new hubs/rotors and another set of axle shafts at home because I was planning to go through the entire front end, anyway, but I definitely don't want to do anything stupid or dangerous. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Sounds like its time to toss the autos and put in manuals... you won't have the problem ever again if you do.

The automatic hubs engage when they get forward drive from the axles Your front differential is open so only getting movement from one side is normal when turning the driveshaft. As long as you keep the truck OUT of 4WD for the trip, you should have no issues unless something has managed to break loose inside the hub assembly. The truck can be driven without a hub assmbly in it at all as long as you don't use 4WD. So if you are concerned that there are pieces of hub assmbly or broken parts in there making the noise even in 2WD, you can remove the automatic hub assembly and get it home. Might consider covering the open end of the hub with tape to keep dust and crud out of it though. As long as there is no damage to the wheel/spindle bearings (which are inboard of the hub assembly...behind it) there is no concern of permanent damage as long as you stay in 2WD.

 

Get some manual hubs, they are much better.

 

Thanks, graystreak, I was hoping it was driveable. I'll see about removing the hub before I head out again to at least eliminate the noise, but right now I don't even have the torx tool needed to remove the cover. I mostly wanted to make sure it was driveable, I can swap out the hubs once I get home. Thanks again.

 

I meant thanks grEystreak, by the way...