Big Problem with 4wd

[Beef52751]

Yesterday i was out with a buddy and we were screwin around trying to drive through snow drifts. Some how his stock Blazer with junk tires made it further then my Ranger with oversized aggresive tires. Upon further investigation my front tires werent spinning. I brought it to the shop, put it on a hoist and with him sitting in the drivers seat with 4wd on and the truck in gear the front tires still werent spinning but one front axle shaft, the front drive shaft and both rear tires were spinning. The truck also makes a bad howling sound from the front drivers side.(same side as the spinning axle shaft) Any Ideas as to why it would do this or whats Broke????
Thanks for the help

 

[exbass94]

Your automatic front hubs. Get rid of them and swap in a set of manual locking hubs. Those vacuum-actuated automatic hubs almost never work right.

 

[94STXRanger]

^x2 if that doesnt work look into the shift motor.

 

[Beef52751]

Manual hubs were considered but it is rarely used off road. if i were to put manual hubs on where do I get them, how hard are they to put on, and how much do they cost.

 

[Destroyer000]

for that year i believe you cant get manual hubs.. the only way you could fix your hubs is to fix the vacuum leak if their is one or theirs a write up on how to have them locked at all times

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

You have a 99? Then you have the vacuum hubs.

First things first. The howling usually means the wheel bearing has gone bad. You will need to replace the wheel bearing/hub assembly. I recommend doing both sides at once; you'll know that everything's all set.

Next, it sounds like you have a vacuum leak somewhere. You'll need to check the lines for leaks. Additionally, the oring that seals the black outer hub disconnect likes to leak as does the axle seal on the steering knuckle. Make sure to track down the issue.

AVM makes manual locking hubs for our years, and they fit in place of the outer disconnects. They are about $110 to your door either from eBay or Tellico4x4.com.

When you replace the hub assemblies, I would recommend replacing the axle seal on the knuckle for good measure.

 

[Beef52751]

I got my 4wd to work now!!!! i talked to one of the mechanics at work and we took the tire of and the locking hub thing fell off. We checked for vaccuum leaks and didnt find any so we put the locking hub back on and now it works!!!! but the truck still makes a howling noise goin down the road..
Thanks for the help