AVM Manual Locking Hubs for 98 Ranger

[ozziemo27]

sorry, i was thinking about the clip that holds the hub to the wheel. the plastic clip that broke and were zip tied together ina previous post.

ohhhh

 

[masterbrenden]

you would have to make "fingers" so that it would give a little to get in then expand out to lock in place.

i would put the clamps on after the hub was in place

 

[Jon4x4]

Has anyone ever figured out what the deal is with these? is there anything else we can do?

 

[wvcat]

I also have a broken hub, anybody have one to sell?
John

 

[Doom's Day Custom]

I was looking to buy some hubs cheap to see if i can build something to make work better and not blow apart and if you guy having for sale pm me please !!!!!!

 

[Jon4x4]

Still nothing huh?

 

[Baseline 4x4]

Clear Some things in the air up.

This is Jarod at Baseline 4x4 Outfitters. I just want to clear a few things up on this thread.

Hi Folks,
About 3 months ago I ordered a set of AVM Manual Locking hubs for my 1998 Ford Ranger. These came with a six month warranty. In 3 months the hub which was made of "military" grade plastic, snapped during highway driving, 4x4 was not engaged. I contacted the Baseline 4x4 Outfitters, the place I ordered them from. They have refused to honor my warranty. I contacted the Better Business Bureau, and they are putting a warranty guarantee flag out on this company. They are letting consumers know that Baseline 4x4 Outfitters will not honor their warranties. Please do not get yourself into the situation I am in. I have broken hubs, and am out $160.00 +. Please spread the word not to order from this decietful company. Thanks and happy 4 wheelin!!!!

Bldthrst
98 Ranger 4X4

We did offer to replace the single hub if you pay the shipping. This agreement was deemed above and beyond the expectations of an online company by the BBB. This involved us biting the bullet as Rugged Ridge said they would not cover a warranty with out the bad hub back. We do not handle the direct warranties with these hubs we merely pass them on to Rugged Ridge if there was a problem with the hub. This requires the hub to be sent to them. Also the failure has to be caused by an issue with the hub. The sloppy half shaft causing the hub to "grenade" does not validate a warranty as this is a problem caused because another piece did not perform.

I also have a broken hub, anybody have one to sell?
John

We do sell individual hubs on our site as we have had people break them off by some external force.

As for the hubs they now carry a 3 year manufacturer warranty from Rugged Ridge. Rugged Ridge will cover a warranty if there is/was a problem with the hub, but they require the return of the hub for inspection of defects as any company would require for a warranty claim.

Hope this clears up some of the issues people had with our company and the AVM/Rugged Ridge Hubs. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on these hubs.

Jarod
1-866-554-5946 (toll free)

 

[Jim Oaks]

I have found that the best way to get a warranty honored is to deal directly with the manufacturer. I've done this with my Holley carb. Send them the old one, they'll send you a replacement.

They're not going to just send you a replacement without getting the old one back for inspection. Otherwise they'll just end up giving away free parts to people.

Asking a dealer to honor the manufacturers warranty is a burden on the dealer. They're out the money until the manufacturer replaces it. In many cases your warranty paperwork will tell you to contact the manufacturer direct instead of the dealer.

I know the OP stated that this happened on the highway, but it cracks me up when people want a hub replaced under warranty because they broke it wheeling offroad somewhere.

 

[Spootnuke]

I have found that the best way to get a warranty honored is to deal directly with the manufacturer. I've done this with my Holley carb. Send them the old one, they'll send you a replacement.

They're not going to just send you a replacement without getting the old one back for inspection. Otherwise they'll just end up giving away free parts to people.

Asking a dealer to honor the manufacturers warranty is a burden on the dealer. They're out the money until the manufacturer replaces it. In many cases your warranty paperwork will tell you to contact the manufacturer direct instead of the dealer.

I know the OP stated that this happened on the highway, but it cracks me up when people want a hub replaced under warranty because they broke it wheeling offroad somewhere.

Well spoken. I just bought a set, and I just finished putting new hub bearing assemblies on. I don't think I'll have any problems.

 

[cr_the_machinist]

I've had these on my 99 for 2 years now and I've never had a problem with mine. Hope your replacement works out for the better for you.

 

[Jebadoo]

New member here, been looking to join and finally did.

Now as far as the AVM/Rugged Ridge hubs.... I have them installed on my '98 3.0 manual turning 245/85/15's... roughly 32x 9.50's, and they were doing fine both on and off-road. Even took the truck on a high-speed run on the highway a few times. Never fell off or blew apart.

Only problem I've had with them was after a rather soupy adventure through a mud-hole here in Central PA Thanksgiving night. Dug through mud fine got me home fine, when the mud froze inside the hubs.... then they finally failed, three weeks later. Took hubs off, cleaned them.... one is a little chewed up on the inside but still works. The hubs get kind of tempermental from time to time but I won't complain, I drive in the city most of the time anyhow with the occasional off-roading on the weekends. All-in-all they are fairly tough... at least mine have been.

Sorry for a wordy first post. Nice to meet you all

 

[stevenv7173]

turn stock hub locks into manual locks

so my hub locks became unreliable and here in MD your in and out of 4wd all the time when it snows you will have a mile of clean road and the next will be snow covered i kinda wish i had part time 4wd any way it seams the hubs work on this retarded vacuum system that that counts on a lot of thing to be just right most importantly no leaks

so i looked in to manual locks 160$ was to much for such a cheep little part so i wonder if i could make the stock hubs stay locked so i took one apart and found when you undo the cap (flat head and light tap with a hammer ) you can see how it works i found out if you brake off the screen and wagon wheel thing and put it back together you can stick your finger in the whole push half way its unlocked push all the way it locked wala manual hubs for free

 

[stevenv7173]

one more thing

the way the hubs mount it counts on like 8 or so tinny plastic clips if you put a large zip tie around the clips this will greatly in prove your chance of keeping your hub as gheeto as it sounds