Automatic hubs obviously suck - troubleshooting

[bigredscowboy]

I've searched all the topics on this and we all agree that the auto hubs suck but I haven't needed the 4x4 until today when it started snowing. I'm going to buy Warn's but I need to get to work to make enough money to do so. I know mine don't work so I put her up on stands and threw it into 4x4. The front axle spins on both shafts which is spinning the spindle (therefore, not the electric switch or the diff). I have cleaned the hubs and the teeth look fine (they lock when I pull the middle piece out enough to engage the teeth):

The spring pushes in with a good amount of force but I can't find a tool to push in the spring while all the parts are in.
Am I missing a piece in the hub?

Could it be that the cams are worn?
Or is there something broken on the axle/spindle side I might be missing (I have taken it apart also). The spindle is blurry because it is spinning:

Are the cams supposed to move when the 4x4 button is pushed?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIJ11v4Q2pw

 

[97ranger4x4]

the pictures will not work for me. I am not sure if you can get the hubs to work temp. can you get away with a set of chains for a few days?

 

[bigredscowboy]

The pics work fine for me. The thing is, I don't think my hubs are bad/broken. People sell refurb's on eBay all the time and I'm curious if its the hub or maybe the cams around the spindle are malfunctioning

the pictures will not work for me. I am not sure if you can get the hubs to work temp. can you get away with a set of chains for a few days?

 

[Alloutofdonuts]

I'm curious about this too and as to what goes wrong in the hub. I'm definitely changing to manual as well but just trying to get through on an extremely limited budget right now.

Mine engage when they feel like it with a bang/clunk or a spinning ticking sound then engage. I'm gonna tear into it tomorrow[weather permitting]and see if I can see what causes it because it doesn't look like there's wear or damage just from lookin at it on the axle.