frontend vibes when hubs are locked

purpony · Oct 10, 2007

when the hubs are locked on my 92 ranger i get real bad vibration on the road. A while back i replaced all the u-joints and had the front suspesnion out to replace all the bushing.

any idea what could be causing the vibes? is it possible to have the front axles balance checked at a driveline shop? could replacing the u-joint make them out of balance?

any input would be great

thanks

jrmustranger97 · Oct 10, 2007

How Fast are you going when it vibrates? I doubt that it's because of changing the U-joints although one of them could have frozen on you. I would take a look at them and spray thim down with some WD 40 if need be. Also there is a slip yoke in the middle of the passengers side axle shaft. Check to make sure that it is moving freely.

MAKG · Oct 10, 2007

WD-40 isn't an appropriate lubricant for an axle. It's mildly useful for removing frozen caps (though a true penetrating lubricant like Kroil works a lot better for that).

A bad U-joint is a possibility. So is the often-overlooked spindle bearing. As is a floppy differential flange (not common on a front diff, but it can happen).

Just to check, you aren't driving on pavement in 4WD, are you? Part time 4WD systems really don't like that.

jrmustranger97 · Oct 10, 2007

Sorry, I wasn't trying to suggest that you use WD 40 in place of greasing the u-joints. Just that it can help free up a frozen one.

Legion · Oct 10, 2007

why are you driving with 4wd on the road

Jspafford · Oct 10, 2007

He said his hubs were locked, you can have the hubs locked and not be in 4x4.

Mutant Pony · Oct 10, 2007

It is common to have a little vibration with the hubs locked in. That is why many companies went to cv joints instead.
If you have a really bad vibration, You may have bent the ears on an axle while installing a u-joint. It is pretty common. I've done it myself.

AllanD · Oct 10, 2007

Try driving for a bit and see if the vibration eases up.

I usually try to drive for atleast half an hour with the hubs locked
after reassembling front axle shafts, because the motion tends to
even up the tension in the newly installed caps.

If the vibration doesn't eas up fairly quickly something is wrong.

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85_Ranger4x4 · Oct 11, 2007

Jspafford said:
He said his hubs were locked, you can have the hubs locked and not be in 4x4.

If I lock in my hubs and don't pull the lever on the floor I am still in 2wd.

Mine has a little vibration too, I always attributed it to have u-joints as opposed to CV joints. Nothing severe though, but you can tell something is different as opposed to unlocked hubs.

rickcdewitt · Oct 11, 2007

if you used a press to change the joints its very easy to bend the soft ears.thats why i tap them out with a hammer and some old junk sockets.that works even out on the coast(rust belt) where i work,faster also.

frontend vibes when hubs are locked

purpony

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jrmustranger97

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MAKG

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jrmustranger97

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Legion

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Jspafford

Logan Andrew Feb 17, 2012

Mutant Pony

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85_Ranger4x4

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