4x4 issue

88broncII · Dec 13, 2014

Bought 1988 bronco automatic 4x4 with push button engaging,the lights come on and I can hear the motor engaging. Anyways when I power brake it in 4x4 the rear tires spin so I know the 4x4 isn't working. Also the front drive shaft is spinning when I push the 4x4 switch on. So I know the transfer case is working. Any help would be great

alwaysFlOoReD · Dec 13, 2014

Hubs locked in and working?

RonD · Dec 13, 2014

Automatic hubs are not working.
Rangers and BIIs have same system

Read here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/HubDiagnosis.shtml

If you don't hear clicking or grinding noise with 4WD engaged then previous owner may have removed the guts, because these could click and grind in 2WD, lol, or they are packed full of grease so can't engage.

"Don't put grease in the hubs. Just lubricate them with a little automatic transmission fluid (ATF)."

Best option, long term, is to switch to manual locking hubs, as described here: http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Winter2002/hubs.htm

88broncII · Dec 13, 2014

Yes there automatic locking hubs, I do hear a weird noise possible grinding sound when I'm driving in 2wd when I go to stop I hear it at low mph. So should I take off the front wheels and the hub covers and see if there packed with grease? Is there any" how to" post to do a step by step process for this? I would swap to manual hubs but really trying not to dump a lot of money in it. It's just my DD

88broncII · Dec 13, 2014

Well I mean step by step on if I gotta disassemble the hubs

RonD · Dec 13, 2014

See my post ^^^^

88broncII · Dec 13, 2014

Yeah I just read it, I'll give that a try first and hope that's the problem for me. Thanks for your help. I'll report back tomorrow with results.

88broncII · Dec 13, 2014

well went ahead and took hub covers off they had quite abit of old grease so cleaned them with breaks cleaner and then poured hot atf tranny fluid on them. i didnt really see anything outa place or broke. but not really sure what im looking for. it still doesnt engage into 4x4? the front drive shaft is locked into place when i have the 4x4 buttons on but just doesnt engage the front diff. any other ideas? i dont hear any grinding or clunks when its in 4x4 and drive around.

RonD · Dec 13, 2014

Did you remove the locking parts, as described in last two paragraphs here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/HubDiagnosis.shtml

If front drive shaft is turning then your problem IS the automatic hubs

Found this Ford service bulletin about the hubs: http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/s420/2009-10-15_053400_92_Explorer_4x4_clunk_tsb95-05-18.pdf

Page 5 has the diagram

The Wheel retainer and locking key don't need to be removed, they hold the wheel bearings

88broncII · Dec 14, 2014

sorry I didn't scroll down that far I thought it just meant clean them off while still on vehicle, I'll take it apart today and clean it all really good and Let ya know. You have a link on a complete manual hub assembly for it? I'm not sure what all I'll need if I do go down that route. Thank you for your help.

RonD · Dec 14, 2014

Well I don't think you will find parts for it, or if it would be worth while looking.
These had such a high percentage of failure after 5-10years that the "spare" parts got used up and people just switched to manual hubs after repairing once.

Your '88's auto hubs are at 26 years old

Manual hubs need to be '83-'89 models to fit your '88 BII it has a DANA 28 front axle

Google: FORD RANGER 83-89 BRONCO II MANUAL LOCKING HUBS

88broncII · Dec 14, 2014

Okay thanks ima look into manual hubs, I found my problem I missed it lastnight the driver side hub has no guts in it someone tookem out -_-
So just the hubs is all I will need correct for manual locking? Everything else is fine on the axle part?

4x4junkie · Dec 14, 2014

You need the manual hubs themselves, and the wheelbearing locknut assemblies (inner nut, locking washer, outer nut). You'll also need a socket that will fit the nuts.

However your existing thrust bearings & axle washers are fine (though these parts do have to be removed in order to swap the locknuts).

88broncII · Dec 14, 2014

Okay I happen to find a bronco 2 89 model today with locking hubs I went and took the hubs,and everything from the First c-clip all the way to the first wheel bearing. Excuse my ignorance I never messed with 4x4 stuff before. Does this sound like I got it all? Thanks for help again.

88broncII · Dec 14, 2014

did more googling I do believe I did get all I needed hopefully tomorrow it fixes my 4x4 problem

4x4 issue

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