lock outs that dont unlock

[jsfordboy02]

I have stock lock outs on my 88 BII, most of this winter when I unlock them, one or both dont unlock and I can feel the vibration on the highway. I usually have to lock-unlock them multiple times to get them to do so. Can hubs go bad like that? If so can you rebuild them, or I suppose it would be better just to buy some after market. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[Slingblade]

sounds like you have excess grease freezing up the mechanism. Take em off and check the inside of the hub.

Chris

 

[Todd]

I use to have this problem all the time. In the winter they wouldn’t lock or unlock. And there is a simple fix. Take them off, take them apart, clean all the crap out of them and lightly lube the internals when reassembling. Light lube is key like white lithium grease.

Either there is excessive grease of more likely some water has gotten in there and freezing during cold temps, hindering them from working properly.

 

[jsfordboy02]

how do I take apart the hub (lock-out), is there an exploded view here that I have missed? yeah and it doesnt seem to matter what the temp is so I dont think they are freezing, I thought that might have been a problem.

 

[MAKG]

You guys use white lithium grease on hubs? I use wheel bearing grease since they are in contact with it anyway. Doesn't gum up like lithium.

You don't need a blow-up to disassemble these. It's quite easy; all you need is a flatblade and Phillips screwdriver, some shop or paper towels, and a pair of nitrile gloves. Take the snap ring out of the inside, and it all more or less slides apart.

 

[4x4junkie]

Wheelbearing grease is also lithium-based (not sure how the white stuff differs though).

Could the hubs not unlocking be something as simple as not backing up a couple feet or so to release any possible driveline tension?

 

[cubg1]

Sometimes the hubs just need to be replaced. The Ranger auto hubs weren't that great. Look into getting a set of Warn manuals from Amazon.com. Don't forget the Warn spindle nut conversion kit. You will need one for each wheel. $185 should get you everything with free shipping.

Brian

 

[jsfordboy02]

I have stock lock outs on my 88 BII, most of this winter when I unlock them, one or both dont unlock and I can feel the vibration on the highway. I usually have to lock-unlock them multiple times to get them to do so. Can hubs go bad like that? If so can you rebuild them, or I suppose it would be better just to buy some after market. Has anyone else had this problem?

I dont have auto hubs