Auto hub problem on 97 Ranger

[DirtRider031]

Hey guys I have a problem with the hubs on my 97 ranger. Sometime driving down the road it sounds like one of the hubs is trying to engage and will also make a lot of noise (racheting) going around corners. Most of the time its fine! To my knowledge there is no vacuum/electrical system on the 97 and that applying torque from the transfer case locks the hubs as soon as it shifts. Is this correct? Should i swap the autos out for manuals (which would be more reliable anyways) or what do you think the problem is?

Thanks!

 

[kryptonitecb]

The problem is you still have auto hubs. Manual hubs would fix the problem.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[cvar]

My '97 sometimes had that same noise. And sometimes mine went 'clunk' as I turned a corner. Turned out I had too much axle play, due to worn bearings. My LF axle-shaft also had a partially seized U-joint, so it wobbled too much and that's why it couldn't stay centered inside my hub, and why the axle splines caught the hub splines at weird times (esp. cornering). It also wore out my spindle bearing. When I replaced my wheel bearings, spindle bearing, and axle-shaft U-joint, that fixed it. I'm glad, cuz bearings are way cheaper than hubs. My auto hubs were fine, and still are. No need for manual ones.

BTW, my hub has no vacuum lines, and no electrical stuff. It's activated only by plain old centrifugal force.

Photos are here: http://imgur.com/a/d8skq/embed

 

[pxbacher]

I had the same problem on my 94. Wrestled with it for a couple of years on and off. Even bought a couple of "rebuilt" auto hubs off a guy on eBay. Only thing that solved the problem was going to manuals. Never looked back.

Good luck

-Pete