Manual hubs causing grinding

[MrSticky]

Hello,

I've been searching around, but I guess I haven't been able to use the right keywords for what's going on. I feel like this is an "obviously the problem is this" sort of thing, but my google-fu failed me.

I have an '89 Ranger 4x4, manual hubs, push button 4wd and when I lock the hubs (in 2wd or 4wd) and turn sharp-ish to sharply either way it does it's usual lurching, but it also makes a horridly loud grinding squeak. The grind/squeak matches with the rate the wheels are revolving, and it continues after I've straightened out but much more quietly. Once I unlock the hubs and reverse everything is peachy.

So I've been messing around, jacked the front end up and tried locking each hub by itself and spinning the wheel while the steering was cranked each way, no problem either side. No problem when only one hub is locked and I turn while driving. If I drive it so it starts grinding/squeaking, then park it and jack it up (with the hubs still locked) the wheels spin to relieve the tension in the bound connections.
When in 2wd and hubs unlocked the driveline spins maybe 1/16th of the way and everything spins at once, from the rear diff up to the front wheels, the boot between front driveline and TC looks to be in fine order.

That all seems very reasonable based on my understanding of the 4wd system (which isn't great). But I don't know where the grinding/screeching/squealing racket is coming from! Could it be an issue with the transfer case not having enough fluid? Is there a driveline u-joint that needs some lubrication?

Again, I feel like there is an obvious answer and I've written way more than I needed to, but I need some help with this.

Thanks for reading

 

[Curious Hound]

My first idea would be to check the front axle u-joints and the needle bearings where the shafts go through the spindle to the hub. Then check differential.

You indicate that the noise is related to whether or not the hubs are locked. So it is related to that.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Denisefwd93]

I had that grinding noise too, and clicking, clunking and a "feeling" like it was staying in 4wd.we just finished new ball joints. wheel bearings. spindle bearings and the left axle U joint that was bad (would only flex in one direction) New rotors and pads. AND new Warn manual hubs. But I want to check and make sure the 4wd is not engaged even though the 4 wheel drive light is not on. Haven't test driven yet .. hope the noise will be gone.