98 4.0l 4wd acting up!!

[speedfreak87]

I think I found the issue.. I put the truck up on stands, grabbed the front drives shaft and it spun freely as it should have, key on engine off, put it in 4h and the drive shaft didn't move just like it was suppose to do, so I was able to rule out the t-case and it had the new t-case motor so all that stuff was working. Next thing to do was to service the AVM/Rugged ridge manual hubs. Pulled the drivers side off and it was ok, little dry, but clean.. went over to the pass side and tried pulling that, it gave me some resistance, not good.. finally got it off and this is what I found..
axle

AVM hub..

Bone dry with what looks like dirt, but is more the likely rust. interesting.. cleaned everything out, oiled it up put it back together, and nothing.. it goes into lock, but doesn't do anything.. crap.. popped it back off and put the driver side hub on the pass side, worked fine, locked, spun the axle etc.. that rules out the axle.. so it's the hub. done, wasted.. needs replacement. lol! I'll put some new ones in and see if there is anything else wrong with the system, which there doesn't seem to be..

 

[schaffer]

Both my hubs looked like that when I pulled them off...my wheel bearings need to be replaced anyway,so the truck will be getting the avm/rugged ridge locking hubs.

Let me know where you get your wheel bearings from,my one is under warranty from the parts store but the other is factory.

 

[speedfreak87]

The bearings seem fine, no wiggle, no nothing. if I have to replace them, it wont be until the spring time, I'll be keeping an eye on the new hubs.

 

[Geeshik]

Rusty hub.

Being a poor man, I would just soak that rusty hub in some zep45 or automatic transmission fluid for a day or so, scrub it a little with some steel wool, clean it all off again with some brakeclean (providing there is nothing plastic on it). If it cleans up good, I'd throw a little more ATF on it and put it back on.

On a side note, I had a 98 Explorer that had to have the transfer case rebuilt at 50,000 miles. I was told it was a weak design because of the angle that Ford used on the internals. It made similar sounds to what you described. I'm not saying that's the problem, but merely a coincidence. In any case, I wish you well with it.

Also, when I had my Explorer, I was told I couldn't get any manual hubs like you are describing. They sound pretty nice.

 

[speedfreak87]

I don't know why it's not engaging, it goes into lock, but nothing. I don't think soaking it in anything is going to help it.