88 B2 Grinding/Scraping Noise in 4WD

[wildbill23c]

Trying to pinpoint the grinding or scraping noise coming from the front end when in 4WD...This only happens when 4WD is engaged. Hubs locked in and in 2WD no noise, but as soon as you engage the 4WD the noise is present. Hubs, or bearings somewhere? The noise gets louder when you use the brakes.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Make noise with the hubs unlocked but the t-case in 4wd?

 

[wildbill23c]

Make noise with the hubs unlocked but the t-case in 4wd?

haven't had a chance to try that yet, its been in 4WD for the past 2 weeks LOL. 4WD seems to work fine just kind of worried about that noise. I'll try turning out the hubs and see what it does on my way home tonight. I hope its something simple and not a bearing or something failing. Although when they packed the bearings when I had a bunch of work done to it they mentioned the bearings were pretty much dry when they pulled them, so it may just need new bearings...at least that is my hope and something I could do myself .

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Bearings are easy if you don't let them go too long. They would have to be pretty shot to tell they are dry without pulling it apart though.

Might make sure the hubs are in all the way. Mom's '94 Explorer made a terrible buzzing/grinding nose when the hubs went out, but they were automatic hubs and not fully engaging.

The guts of the hubs could be hung up with old dried grease inside the hubs too.

 

[wildbill23c]

I was thinking the hubs may be bad, it seems like the 4WD kind of works but not as well as I remember in my 84 B2. So thinking the hubs may only be partially engaged and causing the noise. Fun part is finding replacement hubs .

EDIT: Passenger side hub looks kind of oily/greasy since I've had it so wondering if maybe that hub is shot anyhow. Getting ready to head home and I just turned the hubs out and left it in 4WD so I'll know shortly if it makes the noise in 2WD as well.

 

[wildbill23c]

Tried with the hubs in free, and in 4hi, no grinding so the hubs are shot or at least one of them is, sounds like the driver's side.

Now to find replacements or try to find used ones and hope they are good.

 

[wildbill23c]

Found a set of Milemarker Hubs on ebay for $150 from JCWhitney. Ordered and received them just too damn cold to install them, and the 14-16" of snow doesn't help matters any. If it ever warms up enough I'll get them installed, otherwise the Bronco 2 will just set until spring or whenever I get around to putting the new hubs in. Just wish I had a shop to work in and get them done now, otherwise I'll probably never know if the hubs work or not as I'll probably never need the 4WD again for many years.

This winter has been a true 4WD test, you quickly find out if your 4WD works or not...well mine has been inoperative now for over a month so that was a very short test LOL. Not even sure if it would make it out even if the 4WD worked, we had about 2 feet of snow and even with my other truck its having a hard time getting in and out of my driveway so I'm pretty sure the ole Bronco 2 wouldn't make it at all anyways.