Hubs are Damaged

[cubewhiz]

I was hearing a weird clicking noise when I was braking yesterday, so I took it to Meineke. The sound apparently disappeared when I got there, so they couldn't replicate it so they started looking around.

They told me my front hubs are destroyed, so I need to replace them. What hubs should I go with? I figure this would be a good time to switch over to manual hubs. When I buy new hubs, will I also need to buy a hub conversion kit?

Is it possible the bad hubs were causing the clicking sound? Perhaps the auto hub trying to engage while braking or something? I'm trying to make some sense of it...

Thanks.

 

[hondaxr650]

Mine were clicking and grinding because they weren't releasing completely. Manuals are the way to go. Mile Markers are working good for me and are cheap but the hardcore guys seem to break them. WARN hubs are stronger if you like to beat on your truck and yes, you need the hub nut conversion kit.

 

[cubewhiz]

http://www.trsfabandoffroad.com/products/warnhubs.htm

Top hub & bottom conversion kit--is this what I need? ie - If that's what I order, will I have everything I need to do the job?

Thanks.

 

[84stealthranger]

u will need Warn P/N 27988 - For 1983-1989 Ford Rangers and Bronco II's with a Dana 28 front axle.

unless its and dana 35 then u need Warn P/N 32720 - For 1990-1997 Ford Rangers and Explorers with Dana 35 front axles but its prolly a dana 28

 

[cubewhiz]

found them as a combo for 215 on amazon.

 

[feellnfroggy]

HAHAHA you went to meineke for 4x4 problems? Id recommend getting in touch with a good 4wd shop and make sure the hubs are the real problem. The only time your hubs should click is if your actually driving in 4wd and they are broke, but not in 2wd.

 

[cubewhiz]

HAHAHA you went to meineke for 4x4 problems? Id recommend getting in touch with a good 4wd shop and make sure the hubs are the real problem. The only time your hubs should click is if your actually driving in 4wd and they are broke, but not in 2wd.

I know the mechanic there. I went there for a brake problem, but the problem seemed to have disappeared when I got there.

 

[feellnfroggy]

gotcha.

 

[mhughes165]

auto hubs on these are notoriously crappy, like REALLY crappy lol, and yes, the clicking while driving is what lets u know these go bad

 

[cubewhiz]

Is this the only "specialty" tool I will need?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...cm_ite=9094010?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=9094010

 

[93rangerXLT4x4]

mine eventually got worse and would clunk and click and wouldnt let me get above 70km/hour, took my auto hubs off and left them on the shop floor put my tires back on and no clicking or clunking... going to buy some warn manual hubs today. yes you need the conversion kit too. you can take your hubs off so you can go and get some new ones.

 

[strvger]

Is this the only "specialty" tool I will need?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...cm_ite=9094010?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=9094010

fwiw, i keep 2 sets of tools:
one set is cheap china metric for all the cheap china nuts and bolts on the cheap stuff from china.
the other set is craftsman for all the US nuts, bolts, etc., for all my stuff made in the US.

but that's just me.

guess what i'm saying is IF that tool fits and IF it doesn't break or damage that nut, then i'd use it once and get rid of as soon as i could afford an american made, quality spindle socket.
.

 

[cubewhiz]

fwiw, i keep 2 sets of tools:
one set is cheap china metric for all the cheap china nuts and bolts on the cheap stuff from china.
the other set is craftsman for all the US nuts, bolts, etc., for all my stuff made in the US.

but that's just me.

guess what i'm saying is IF that tool fits and IF it doesn't break or damage that nut, then i'd use it once and get rid of as soon as i could afford an american made, quality spindle socket.
.

I didn't see a Craftsman spindle nut socket for Ranger front hubs. Got a link or a P/N?

Manual conversion kit came yesterday and my hubs came in today!

The swap looks pretty straightforward from the two I've seen in the tech section and the instructions that came with the parts. Any possible snags I may experience? It doesn't look like there's much "work" involved.

 

[93rangerXLT4x4]

sweet im putting mine on tomorrow.

 

[cubewhiz]

Very straightforward replacement. All done, yay!