Help!!! I need a clue!!

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Dec 20, 1999 | 07:49 PM

Don

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Joined: Jul 1999

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Help!!! I need a clue!!

I have a 90 fullsize bronco.....tonight i put it into 4wd....after i took it out....i backed up to disengage the hub....as i left my shop and pulled out of the parking lot taking a left.....i heard a loud clunking noise and the steering was very hard....so i pulled into the parking lot next door and repeatedly tried backing up thinking the hubs were still engaged. I pulled out went down the street and got on the highway.....while driving i noticed the steering was way more tight ........as you steered right and returned the wheel to center....you'd have to put effort into moving the wheel back over. When taking a corner...the wheel wouldn't return to center , i have to physically move it back.....I don't know what it is really....but what ever it is happened all in the sudden after i used 4wd......are the hubs stuck locked in??? If so, how the hell do i disengage them???

Dec 21, 1999 | 07:58 AM

Chuck P.

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Joined: Jun 1999

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From: SE PA

Help!!! I need a clue!!

One way to check if they are still engaged is to lift one of the front tires and see if the driveline turns-if it does then they have not unlocked. Sorry, can't help with how to unlock them other than to check the engagement mechanism or disassemble the hubs to see what's going on in there, run manuals myself, hopefully someone else can help with that end. Chuck P.

Dec 21, 1999 | 05:40 PM

Don

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Help!!! I need a clue!!

i pulled out of my garage this moringing and noticed i wasn't having the problem anymore. I love when ##### fixed itself....hopefully it don't happen again......i think the hubs were just stuck and when i backed out this morning they released

Dec 22, 1999 | 07:33 AM

Chuck P.

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From: SE PA

Help!!! I need a clue!!

Maybe they were just lettin' you know they would like exercised more often!!

Happy to hear they "fixed" themselves, Chuck

Dec 28, 1999 | 01:20 AM

Superdave

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Joined: Sep 1999

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From: Indiana

Help!!! I need a clue!!

As the past owner of the same vehicle you have, the hubs are probably going to puke anytime. My autolocking hubs failed when we had our first 6 plus inch snowfall last winter, and they only acted up once before they failed. I replaced them with lock outs the next afternoon.

Jan 1, 2000 | 09:47 PM

eric_1

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Joined: Sep 1999

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Help!!! I need a clue!!

don, you don't need a clue, you need manual locking hubs, warn makes a nice set for about $80 which is a lot cheaper than getting towed. do yourself a big favor and replace those auto's they will fail at the worst possible time. it only takes a couple hours to change them, its fairly easy, locking and unlocking takes about 15 seconds and you know when your in and when your out.if you decide to do it and have any problems post another message i'll walk you through. e

Jan 3, 2000 | 10:55 PM

Don

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Help!!! I need a clue!!

how much work is actually entailed in having to change of the autos to manuals. I'm not really an auto mechanic......i work on power equipment and commercial equipment for the most part.......but i am cable of doing the job, as long as i dont' have to worry about something terrible happening and having to have it towed and what not

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Jan 4, 2000 | 01:12 AM

Superdave

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Joined: Sep 1999

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From: Indiana

Help!!! I need a clue!!

Don, its not that big of deal to change the hubs. Most lockouts come with complete instructions to change them. The set I bought had instructions in them to change from auto locking hubs to the manual hubs. If you can work on stuff period you can change them just fine. You'll need some snap ring pliers, bearing nut socket, allen wrenches,a thin flat bladed screwdriver to pop the out snapring just inside the bearing hub right behind the autolocking hub. I also bend a couple of nails to look like an L to reach in the bearing hub to get the bearing nuts and bearing nut lock ring out. I think the auto's have torx head screws if I remember right. I'd be getting rid of those hubs before they get you in trouble, and they will!! Like the above post said no more guessing if there locked, if the weather is bad just lock them in before you leave then all you have to do is put it in four wheel drive when you need it. It won't hurt it to have the hubs locked and waiting.