4 Lo "pop"

[nucleardog]

Symptoms: Driving up my driveway, in 2wd all is normal...in 4Hi I stop while going up the driveway, push n the 4hi button continue moving, all is normal...In 4Lo I stop going up the driveway, push the 4Lo button start moving, feels like its binding and then something pops and I continue up in 4Lo, as if all is normal...What is the popping/binding that I am feeling and hearing?

 

[Kylan]

My truck does the same thing sometimes, I think it's just the POS electronic shift motor

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Mine used to do that everytime, till my shift motor went bad and I didd the manual 1354 swap.

 

[nucleardog]

hope it is that simple

My thoughts were that it was possibly the front u-joints, the auto hubs, or worse a bad transfer case. Like I had mentioned, once it makes the sound it continues in gear no problem, or any unusual sounds. Also it doesn't do it all the time. How can I check the front u-joints, auto hubs, or rule out the transfer case...Thanks for the replies.

 

[Kylan]

First remove the auto hubs and throw them in the trash and get manuals. to check your U joints I would jack the front in the air and wiggle the driveline and front wheels and check for slop. I would say by the sounds of it it's just your shift motor tho

 

[Will]

It's common for the front axle joints to be frozen--particularly the center joint which is pretty much impossible to remove without pulling the front carrier housing out of the axle beam. There is a clip holding the inner shaft into the differential so you would have to drive or press out the u-joint working in that tiny space. So after 22 years, you can be assured it's bad. Most old Rangers have a bad center joint and if the truck was never used in 4x4 during it's life, and then someone buys it that actually plans to use it as a 4x4, troubles begin if they don't pull the front axle apart and go through everything. The thing about the center joint is that the front axle can almost work with a frozen joint. But it plays merry hell on the bearings as the shaft tries to wobble around. Anyone with an old truck should pull it all apart, then put it back together without that inner-shaft clip so servicing is easier. Good time to change the front diff fluid as well.

Auto hubs are the same thing really. They need to be cleaned and very lightly grease with moly grease. Old, thick grease can wreak havok on their operation. I do not think you have a t-case problem. That thing works or it doesn't in my experience.

Auto hubs are another perfect exampl

 

[nucleardog]

I probably should have mentioned what I have done since I purchased this a month ago. I had the transmission flushed, new filter and fluid. I had the front and rear differential fluid replaced. the transfer case fluid was replaced. the 3 rear u-joints were replaced. this was all done at a local transmission shop. I was planning to have the other u-joints replaced as well. Question for you, I don't really plan to take it out on the trails, just dump runs and using the 4 wheel drive if/when it snows. if the auto hubs are good upon an inspection is it worth the expense to replace? or is it a wash as far as price.