4x4 hub bad?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 190
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From: Katy, TX
4x4 hub bad?
I have had a periodic clunking coming from my front left tire. i can feel it under my feet (almost sounds like my tire rubbing) mainly when i make left turns but i can hear/feel it driving straight to. i just put a new hub on 2 weeks ago. i heard it before i replaced the hub to. my neighbor whos a mechanic rode with me and said its my auto 4x4 hub. i had a spare used ford manual one so i put it on,but i am still hearing the sounds. it seems less than before but i still hear it. my question is to completely narrow it down to the locking hubs before i buy new warn hubs, can i pull them off both sides and drive around or will it mess up something.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 442
From: Eastern Washington
did you check ujoints, wheel bearings and balljoints? If it's when you turn I'd suspect a ujoint. Does it doit with the hub unlocked? I don't think your hub will be making a noise.
As for your question, I think you should be fine driving it around w/o hubs, but I wouldn't go to fast. I think your spindle seal will be left to support the outer stub shaft without the hub to keep it centered.
As for your question, I think you should be fine driving it around w/o hubs, but I wouldn't go to fast. I think your spindle seal will be left to support the outer stub shaft without the hub to keep it centered.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Katy, TX
I know the wheel bearings are ok, b/c i just replace that whole hub. we checked the ball joints and they had a little play, but not enough to be popping. Are the any write-ups on u-joints inspection? what to look for? The reason it sounds like the hub to me is because it sounds like its engaging/disengaging periodicaly, but then i don't get it because i still hear it with the fully manual hub put on there
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,708
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From: Kiowa CO
Darn, too bad I don't have my old OEM auto 4x4 hubs or I would have sent it to you to swap out & troubleshoot. FWIW, i have the Warn Premiums and love them, just no more auto 4x4 engage but I have no problem of getting out to lock them up.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
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When you say replaced hub do you mean unit bearing, if you have not replaced unit bearing, i would say the needle bearing is making that noise.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Albuquerque, NM
I know this sounds stupid but have you really verified the hub is disengaged from the axle? Jack up the side and rotate the tire, if the axle turns the hubs are still locked in. On a tight turn the ujoints will make that noise if the hubs are locked in. If not that then start looking at the needle bearing. If you haven't done needle bearing maintenance that may be your problem
See this:Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page
See this:Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page
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Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 190
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From: Katy, TX
i haven't verified if it is disengaged, but i figured pulling it and putting a completely manual one on in free mode when eliminate that problem. yes i did mean unit bearing. new needle bearing and all. i hear the noise when driving down the road as well. i am gonna try pulling both hub locks off and see if the problem goes away. its been raining alot so i'll probably try tomorrow
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 442
From: Eastern Washington
if you have play in your ball joints they're probably toast, by the way. Put a BIG cheater bar under the front tire and pry straight up. Don't be gentle, you should be deflecting the tire a bit when you do this. Have someone watch or feel the ball joints for movement. If it moves, it's bad. If you putting 100-300# of pressure against it moves it, think what your truck is doing bouncing down the road.
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