'98 PVH one hub locked and other free

[KaHOnas]

While doing a brake job, I noticed that my left hub spins freely and my right hub is turning the axle. How can I free up the right hub? I'm leaning toward doing the manual locker modification but for now I just need both front hubs to be doing the same thing.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[Dirtman]

Im pretty sure that's how it's supposed to work. It only needs to disconnect one side because it's an open differential. No turning force actually reaches the driveshaft with only one axle spinning on an open diff.

 

[KaHOnas]

Oh. This is my first 4WD truck so I suspected I was making a bit of a fool of myself by asking. But that's how you learn. Thank you for not being a condescending internet jerk! Your answer does make sense but doesn't this result in more wear on the front right tire from the drag of being connected to the differential?

 

[Dirtman]

Oh. This is my first 4WD truck so I suspected I was making a bit of a fool of myself by asking. But that's how you learn. Thank you for not being a condescending internet jerk! Your answer does make sense but doesn't this result in more wear on the front right tire from the drag of being connected to the differential?

The "locked" side is generally on the shorter of the two axle shafts so the extra resistance from spinning that axle is miniscule at best. It's not going to spin the whole differential assembly, only the spider gear. The later model rangers didn't even have the axles disconnected at all, no hubs, no disconnect, they were "live" full time. No issues. The PVH system does suck for other reasons though (prone to failure) so aftermarket locking hubs are always a good investment.

 

[fastpakr]

If the PVH hub isn't engaged, the axle should spin freely from the hub.

 

[Dirtman]

If the PVH hub isn't engaged, the axle should spin freely from the hub.

So then both hubs do disconnect? Only experience I have with vacuum operated 4x4 is the dodge system which just disconnects the driver's side inner axle. The passengers side wheel/hub is always connected directly to the diff.

 

[fastpakr]

Correct. There are vacuum lines to each hub that cycles them from locked to unlocked.

 

[Dirtman]

Well color me an idiot...

Getting manual locking hubs is still sound advice though.

 

[fastpakr]

For sure. Though the jury is out on how much more reliable they are. Plus you can make the stock hubs manual by cutting the cover off of them and pushing the plunger by hand.

 

[fastpakr]

Adding Manual Control To Your 1998-2000 Ford Ranger Pulse Vacuum Hubs - The Ranger Station

Story by Mark West I have a 98 Ranger 4×4 with 105k miles. For most of us, this means two things- It’s been a great truck, and the vacuum hubs are junk. Mine actually worked fairly well until recently, but … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

More info than you really need there.

If you just pop off that outer cover (first and second photos), you can cut the screen area out of it. Reinstall the cover and push through the hole to cycle the hub between locked and unlocked.

 

[KaHOnas]

If you just pop off that outer cover (first and second photos), you can cut the screen area out of it. Reinstall the cover and push through the hole to cycle the hub between locked and unlocked.

Thanks. That's exactly what I need until I can get the new hub locks installed.

Edit: well kiss my grits, this mod works great! The wheels I had came with steel hub covers so I drilled a small (1/4") hole to use a metal rod to press the plunger on the inside. It took a couple times to get used to how it feels engaged and disengaged but now I don't think I have much need to change out the hubs. I think this will work great for my purposes.