Stupid Question
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Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Indiana
Stupid Question
Raise your front wheels with your truck in 4 wheel drive. ( Not running ) Spin your front wheels one at a time by hand and lean in to see if the axles are turning with the wheels. If your hubs are working they will be turning together. "But" I had a set of auto locking hubs on a 90 Big Bronco that showed they were engaging with this method but kicked out when you applied power to them when the wheels were on the ground. If you can't do this try and find a gravel road, or a soft place (not where you will get hung up if its not working). Gas it with the 4x4 not engaged it will spin the rear tires easily, if it plants and goes the 4x4 is working.
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Joined: Oct 2001
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Stupid Question
The easiest way to test your auto locking hubs is with the vehicle off and in 2WD. Crawl under your Bronco and turn the front driveshaft in either direction. You will only be able to get about a half turn before the hubs lock. If you don't hear both hubs lock and you can turn the driveshaft several revolutions or more, one or both of your hubs is gone. When the hubs lock, you can see the front axleshaft turn in the axles and if one is bad, the side with the bad hub will keep turning while the locked one will stop. If you feel the driveshaft stop turning, put a lot of force into trying to get it to turn. I had a Ranger with the same problem, and if you applied enough pressure to the driveshaft, on side would pop out and unlock.
If it is not the auto locking hubs, then you probably have a problem with your transfer case. Auto locking hubs are the most likely culprit in the '96 and older Ford 4X4's.
Aaron D.
If it is not the auto locking hubs, then you probably have a problem with your transfer case. Auto locking hubs are the most likely culprit in the '96 and older Ford 4X4's.
Aaron D.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2001
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Stupid Question
Thanks guys.
Heres what I have done I have tested it both ways.
When it is in 2wd I can turn the front drive shaft all I want. Around and around. The only thing i can see is that the passenger side yoke is turning around and around.
When I test it in 4wd with the wheels up I can turn the passenger side wheel and watch the yoke and drive shaft go around and around.
But when I turn the drives side wheel nothing turns but the wheel.
So is it my auto hubs or HELP ????
albertaguy (stuck in the snow)
Heres what I have done I have tested it both ways.
When it is in 2wd I can turn the front drive shaft all I want. Around and around. The only thing i can see is that the passenger side yoke is turning around and around.
When I test it in 4wd with the wheels up I can turn the passenger side wheel and watch the yoke and drive shaft go around and around.
But when I turn the drives side wheel nothing turns but the wheel.
So is it my auto hubs or HELP ????
albertaguy (stuck in the snow)
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
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Stupid Question
If it is in 4WD when you have it jacked up, the driveshaft should not turn. If it is, then your transfer case is not engaging. Try both 4LO and 4HI. You will need to run your Bronco to engage the transfer case.
With the front wheels jacked up, you should be able to turn the wheels without much effect on the axleshaft and driveshaft. When you turn the wheels the reverse direction from when the direction they were turning, they unlock the auto hubs. The hubs re-lock when power is applied from the driveshaft side.
Because you saw the passenger side yoke turning, I feel it is the hub, at least on the passenger side. I tested mine before I replace them, and I could only get 1/4 turn of the driveshaft before they were locked.
If you are going to replace the hubs,(they are easy to do), I would recommend a set of Warn Premuim manual hubs rather than the auto locking units. When you get the price quote from the dealer, you may change you mind as I did. They were $265 per side from the dealer, and the pair of Warns ran me $90.
Aaron D.
With the front wheels jacked up, you should be able to turn the wheels without much effect on the axleshaft and driveshaft. When you turn the wheels the reverse direction from when the direction they were turning, they unlock the auto hubs. The hubs re-lock when power is applied from the driveshaft side.
Because you saw the passenger side yoke turning, I feel it is the hub, at least on the passenger side. I tested mine before I replace them, and I could only get 1/4 turn of the driveshaft before they were locked.
If you are going to replace the hubs,(they are easy to do), I would recommend a set of Warn Premuim manual hubs rather than the auto locking units. When you get the price quote from the dealer, you may change you mind as I did. They were $265 per side from the dealer, and the pair of Warns ran me $90.
Aaron D.
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Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Coppell
Stupid Question
I must agree, WARN hubs are the best. I had those auto hubs on and when i realized i wanted to be in 4x4 all the time i switched. They are simple to install and only require few tools. You will need: a pick of some sort to take the C-clip out, snap ring pliers, and to install you will need a conversion kit. WARN makes these too. They only require a spindle nut tool and make sure you get the correct kit for your truck and the correct tool. Hope this helps, may be little more tools needed, as i havnt done this procedure in a month or 2. Goodluck if you do got for it, you wont regret it and your truck wont get stuck as those auto hubs tend to unlock as you go from drive to reverse. Have fun!
Gary
"Chevy...Like a rock" They sink in mud!!!
Gary
"Chevy...Like a rock" They sink in mud!!!
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
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Stupid Question
Actually, you will only need the conversion kit if your auto hubs have three bolts holding the cover on. If your cover has five bolts, you won't need the conversion kit. Just FYI.
Aaron D.
Aaron D.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2001
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Stupid Question
Thank you my hubs currently have 5 bolts
I dont require any conversion kit just the hubs ?
Am I correct at assuming this.
Ward
I dont require any conversion kit just the hubs ?
Am I correct at assuming this.
Ward
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
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Stupid Question
If your hubs covers have 5-bolts holding them on, you do not need the conversion kit. It seems that the older models had 3-bolts though. Just make sure you are looking at the hub covers, not the wheel lugs.
Aaron D.
Aaron D.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2001
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Stupid Question
Thanks for all the help guys.
I bought a new set of Warn Manual Hubs. Cost me 127.03 Canadian.
Had them installed in about one hour.
Now everything is working.
PS any body want a screwed up set of automatic hubs for paper weights ?
I bought a new set of Warn Manual Hubs. Cost me 127.03 Canadian.
Had them installed in about one hour.
Now everything is working.
PS any body want a screwed up set of automatic hubs for paper weights ?
