Four wheel drive slipping??

[airshac]

When i engage my automatic four wheel drive in my '90 B2 it operates fine for a couple minutes then makes a loud popping sound and lurches then resumes operating normally until it does the same thing. It feels to me like it is slipping. I have had both hubs off and looked at and they are in good shape. I'm wondering what is wrong, what is the fix and if it could be the mechanism that keeps the hubs locked. If you can answer this question or just point to a thread where it has already been discussed I'd appreciate it!

 

[84bluebronco2]

On a 90 B2, if they are factory hubs, the front axle rotating causes the hubs to lock. What kind of popping, and from front, rear, middle of the truck?

 

[The_Dealer]

souns like a bad hub or 2 bad hubs. those auto hubs do wierd shit. sounds like what my buddy's 98 ranger was doin

 

[4.0B2]

get manual hubs and if it don't fix it... you've upgraded anyways!

 

[The_Dealer]

get manual hubs and if it don't fix it... you've upgraded anyways!

x2 thats one of the worst things about auto tcase and hubs. when u are tryin to make sure it works before u leave its fine. get in the woods and need it and it doesnt.

 

[Nathan123]

Auto hubs are not your friend, in fact auto engage/connect/disconnect systems always fail, hence why newer rangers have locked axles. Manual hubs are the way to go, JY would be your cheapest bet, you have a D35 in your '90, but for my D28 just the conversion nuts alone were 70 bucks. The JY gave them to me for free, I just paid 40 bucks for two hubs. Don't be afraid if they look ugly either, black paint makes them look new. You'll also need a hub lock nut socket from the auto parts they're anywhere from 20-50 bucks. Here's how to do the swap:
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Winter2002/hubs.htm

 

[4.0B2]

and a manual t/case gives you the option of flat towing easier!