99 4x4 question! Help!

[Toms01PSD]

Ok, I replaced my rotors today. When I replaced them, on the drivers side I noticed that when I turned the hub, the axle would turn with it. I also noticed that it would turn the passenger side axle. When I was working on the passenger side, I turned that hub and the axle wouldn't turn with it on either side. I'm not completely 4x4 literate so I was wondering what this meant? FYI, I put it in 4hi and both sides click and work fine, but 4lo doesn't.

 

[wvcat]

Sounds like your vacumn hub is stuck on the drivers side, basically locked in all the time.
They have a tendency to get gumed up inside especially if you 4 wheel it. You might want to consider this mod...
http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/..._19982000_Ford_Ranger _Pulse_Vacuum_Hubs.html

 

[Toms01PSD]

Sounds like your vacumn hub is stuck on the drivers side, basically locked in all the time.
They have a tendency to get gumed up inside especially if you 4 wheel it. You might want to consider this mod...
http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/..._19982000_Ford_Ranger _Pulse_Vacuum_Hubs.html

Could it also cause my rotors to possibly warp? Possibly "dragging" that side? I'm not understanding how it would be stuck, I haven't taken the truck into anything serious, just as mudhole once or twice and I engage the 4x4 every once in awhile to make sure it's good.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

It wouldn't cause your rotors to warp necessarily, but it might cause some funny steering issues. Time to pop off that outer disconnect and take a looky inside.

 

[wvcat]

It won't cause any rotor problems. The way it works is when you turn your dash knob to 4wd it sends a pulse of vacumn to the hub and it pulls it in where it clicks locking the axle to the hub. When you turn it back to 2wd it sends another vacumn pulse to release it. Either your not getting enough vacumn or it is stuck. Basically what is happening is your axle is staying locked and turning your front differential as you drive. It won't actually hurt anything but it will make it use slightly more gas. The 4 lo problem is most likely the transfer case motor or your not at a complete stop with the brake on and the transmission in neutral.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

It will put more strain on that side's wheel bearing assembly. The 98-00 hub assemblies weren't designed for a fulltime axle setup and are weak enough as it is.

Again, pop off the disconnect. It will be worth it. Most likely the axle has corroded itself to the inner gears of the hub disconnect.

 

[Toms01PSD]

It will put more strain on that side's wheel bearing assembly. The 98-00 hub assemblies weren't designed for a fulltime axle setup and are weak enough as it is.

Again, pop off the disconnect. It will be worth it. Most likely the axle has corroded itself to the inner gears of the hub disconnect.

disconnect? are you refering to the black piece with the "screen" on it?

 

[Toms01PSD]

It won't cause any rotor problems. The way it works is when you turn your dash knob to 4wd it sends a pulse of vacumn to the hub and it pulls it in where it clicks locking the axle to the hub. When you turn it back to 2wd it sends another vacumn pulse to release it. Either your not getting enough vacumn or it is stuck. Basically what is happening is your axle is staying locked and turning your front differential as you drive. It won't actually hurt anything but it will make it use slightly more gas. The 4 lo problem is most likely the transfer case motor or your not at a complete stop with the brake on and the transmission in neutral.

Ya, I wasn't completely stopped with my foot on the brake, that's what it was. But i'm still not understanding how I fix my locked hub problem.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

disconnect? are you refering to the black piece with the "screen" on it?

Yep.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Yep.

So what do I need to do when I get that off? Also, I won't have to pull the whole wheel/front brake assembly off to do this will I?

 

[triumphrider-1]

So what do I need to do when I get that off? Also, I won't have to pull the whole wheel/front brake assembly off to do this will I?

Go to the link given by wvcat, it'll show you how to take that stuff apart, its pretty well explained and has quite a few photos.

 

[Toms01PSD]

ok, so what exactly do I need to do to unlock the hub and keep it that way to stop it from turning the axle, I don't want the "manual control". Just follow the steps like it explains to unlock the hub and then put it back together? or what?

 

[pdmustgt]

Do like Ford did they went to Exp/mountaineer setup and got rid of the vacuum hubs. 98-99 used the vacuum hubs after that 00-current is live setup. I got my hubs and CV axles from local you pick an pull for 50 bucks.