4x4 growling/ vibrating.

[schlutzer]

I've got a 94 ranger, that makes a pretty wicked noise in 4x4.

Only when I'm in 4x4 or in 2wd with the hubs locked (auto hubs) I get a very loud grinding noise coming from the front end. seems to be the drivers side and I can even feel it in my floor. I assumed it was a bad U-joint but its not.

So my few ideas are that it's either the hubs, spindle bearing, or something pooched in the diff. itself.

Anybody got any ideas on tricks for troubleshooting these?

 

[legoms013]

It could be any or all of the front 3 u-joints have crapped out or siezed up, wheel bearings, differential bearings, transfercase bearings, grenaded hubs.

Get all four wheels off the ground, and have a friend put it in 4-low/4-high and be in control of the brake while you inspect underneath...at various speeds/RPM's.