1999 ranger front locking hub fell off

[swamper]

Passenger automatic hub has fallen off, but axle is turning when tire turns, shouldn't axle be loose in hub. Driver side axle is free.

 

[nlarr81]

the hub fell off? realy.....i would like to see that can we get a pic?

 

[bilzy7]

ya pic please lol.... i mean ur tire wouldnt come off that only locks the wheel to axle i BELIEVE. if your hub assembly fell off now different story...
Super glue? fixes everything.

 

[7.5L_STX]

Super glue? fixes everything.

WRONG!!! everybody knows you have to use duct tape on anything automotive related!

 

[swamper]

Will send pic tomorrow, Hub cap was off due to making hubs operate by hand during snow, 1999 have vacumn locking hubs, that don't work, so entire end piece fell off, it is held on by 6 tabs around hub.

 

[nlarr81]

if you cant duck it .....f%&k it

 

[bilzy7]

If you can't glue it, screw it.

 

[bilzy7]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!


EAT THAT!!!

 

[bilzy7]

If it truly is broken, is it broke past point of installing manual avm hubs?

 

[JoshT]

It sounds to me like that is exactly what he needs. The description I'm seeing sounds like the plastic locking device fell off (not actually a hub but don't know what to call it). Sounds like it is time for a set of AVMs or for some nice 98-00 AVM owner who kept the stock parts to send him a replacement. I'd offer but I'm pretty sure I trashed them.

 

[fathermike]

Finally!!!

I thought I was the only one. I have a 99 Ranger w/ a passenger hub falling off too. Everyone thinks it is something else besides exactly what it says. The vacuum hubs were shot, so I replaced them with manuals, which worked fine for 2 years. Then this past winter, while keeping the caps off to make accessing the lock easier, the hub on the passenger side just went missing one day!! I didn't know it until I was on the interstate going 70mph and the damn thing started vibrating. Apparently, the hub keeps the axle balanced, even when not locked. So I still had the old shot vacuum ones laying around and put one on just to stop the vibration. I put the caps on too just in case, and sure enough, that same one keeps popping off once in a while. The cap keeps it from getting lost, but I still have to get out and pop it back on to stop the vibration.

 

[gribly]

fathermike - the reason your hubs are popping off is the spindle bearing is worn out. If that bearing is shot - the hub will then have to keep the axle centered when not engaged, and that will crack and/or blow off the hub according to a thread that was on here a while back.

 

[Shamus Fontleroy]

I am not sure if this will help anyone, but I found a 98 Ranger from California here in Ohio and I rebuilt the entire front end. The only thing I used that wasn't brand new was the front differential axle housing. I replaced all the internals, from the gears all the way out to the manual locking hubs which I was forced to use because I could not find an original set of hubs. Both my hubs came within 100 miles of driving, along with the classic vibration that comes and goes every time you hit a bump. The manual hubs are heavier than the originals and need to be secured somehow. I have found a few solutions were people used glue, silicone, or CV joint metal zip ties.
What I have found, worked best for me was to very carefully bend the plastic tabs up and away from the center of the hub so they lock in stronger. I have seen people apply heat for this but you have to be very careful as it is extremely easy to melt the plastic. Unfortunately I cannot find any better solution, as I fear this will not fix the issue permanently either, only time will tell. Good luck, please let me know if anyone finds a better solution. Thanks all.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I am not sure if this will help anyone, but I found a 98 Ranger from California here in Ohio and I rebuilt the entire front end. The only thing I used that wasn't brand new was the front differential axle housing. I replaced all the internals, from the gears all the way out to the manual locking hubs which I was forced to use because I could not find an original set of hubs. Both my hubs came within 100 miles of driving, along with the classic vibration that comes and goes every time you hit a bump. The manual hubs are heavier than the originals and need to be secured somehow. I have found a few solutions were people used glue, silicone, or CV joint metal zip ties.
What I have found, worked best for me was to very carefully bend the plastic tabs up and away from the center of the hub so they lock in stronger. I have seen people apply heat for this but you have to be very careful as it is extremely easy to melt the plastic. Unfortunately I cannot find any better solution, as I fear this will not fix the issue permanently either, only time will tell. Good luck, please let me know if anyone finds a better solution. Thanks all.

The better solution is to go to the “live” front axle that late production 2000 got and that was used until 2011. No hubs, front stays locked together all the time. Big gain in strength, small loss of fuel economy. You need the CV shafts and wheel bearings from a live axle truck and to plug off the vacuum system.