Funky problem with my hubs

[Hopman]

I've got a funky problem with (what I think) is my right-front hub.

The truck: My trusty purple '94, 2.3 5-speed, 4x4 (auto hub, electric t-case) XL.

The problem: At random, it seems as the RF hub pops & whirrs, and the truck pulls to the right. It seems as it happens more often after a right turn.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Auto hub is probably shot. It's a common thing even on fullsize trucks. My F-150 was doing the same sort of thing. Then when I needed 4x4 I found the front wasn't digging and got stuck in my yard. I promptly went out and got a set of Warn manual hubs (junkyard shopping of course). When I pulled my auto hubs apart the one was visibly tore up. Since I put manuals on, no problems.

 

[Hopman]

The 4x4 still works. Oh well. If I had the momey, I'd spring for a new set.

The weird thing is is if I put in 4WD, then take it out to make the hubs unlock again, it's fine.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The 4x4 still works. Oh well. If I had the momey, I'd spring for a new set.

The weird thing is is if I put in 4WD, then take it out to make the hubs unlock again, it's fine.

Then the hub is going bad but hasn't fully detonated yet. Or at least that's the impression I'm getting.

If it was me, I'd just swap to manual hubs and forget about it.

You could probably pick up a used set of manual or auto hubs fairly cheap, just look around.

 

[Hopman]

You know, I WILL swap to manual hubs. Heck everything else (trasmission, locks, windows) is!

Okay, now I'm gonna open a can o worms: Milemarker or Warn for the hubs? Who made the factory manual hubs?

Any idea what the P/N's for for the Warn hubs?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Factory hubs are Warn. They just have a Ford tag on them.

IMHO, I would just look for a set of used manual Ford hubs, that's your cheapest option. You'll also need the spindle nuts to convert from auto to manual. I'd think about making a junkyard run and just pull the hubs and spindle nuts - basically everything down to the bearings - so that you have everything you need.

 

[adsm08]

sounds like a bad spring.

 

[feellnfroggy]

check the lube on your auto hubs. That said, I have one manual hub and one auto because some douchebag put warns on there busted a warn and put the auto cover back on. never changed the inner guts, Since I cant afford a new warn hub, I went to pull a part and aqquired a few sets of auto hubs and guts. On the one side I have a strong manual hub and on the other side i have a modified auto hub. There are two spindle nuts for the manual hub I believe I just left one on there and mashed everything else into place, since I know its gonna give after a few runs I keep extra guts in the truck and then its as simple as pulling the wheel and hub cap off. The c-lock comes off and slide off old guts slide on new guts and off i go for a few more weeks or months. So far I have had no problems and its much cheaper. I get 5-8 sets of guts for the price of a warn manual hub. (mostly cuz my junkyard has no manual hubs around)


I suggest you take your hub apart get a feel for how it goes together and how quickly you can replace the auto hubs, even on a trail and then decide if you wanna spend the green for manual hubs. (unless you find a set of cheap used ones.)

 

[R***A**N**G**E***R]

I've got a funky problem with (what I think) is my right-front hub.

The truck: My trusty purple '94, 2.3 5-speed, 4x4 (auto hub, electric t-case) XL.

The problem: At random, it seems as the RF hub pops & whirrs, and the truck pulls to the right. It seems as it happens more often after a right turn.

Here are some videos I took of my bad hubs.

ALSO even when I have perfectly good working hubs on a RARE occasion (maybe 2 or 3 times a YEAR) one of my hubs will engage and i will get the WHIRLING sound, USUALLY after hitting a big pot hole or bump and while turning SHARP. But once I flip the switch and put it in 4 wheel drive and then stop and back up to disengage the hubs it will go away, remember this is a rare ocurance with good hubs.

 

[Hopman]

^ What you describe is EXACTLY what's going on with my truck. I guess I'll leave it be until I have enough cash to buy a new set of Warn's & fix it RIGHT.