Manually Disable Auto-Locking Hubs

[banduccm]

Hi, all!

I recently picked up a well-loved (read: beat up) 1993 Ranger (4.0L, 4x4, manual). The truck has recently started to do some strange things when driving: At speed, sometimes I will get a strange shudder, like something is trying to engage but can't. It goes away after a few seconds, and the truck drives normally otherwise. Also, the 4x4 button in the cab no longer works - if I have the windows down, I can hear a clicking noise. I read up on the transfer case and auto-lockers, and it seems that the electric motor on the T-case is known to fail. I'd like to eventually swap for manual lockers and a manual T-case, but that's not going to be able to happen for a while.

With that background, my actual question is: Can I manually disable the auto-locking hubs? I don't need 4wd for anything for a while, but I'd like to have some peace of mind that I'm not destroying the front drivetrain or that the hubs are going to engage and cause me to lose control.

I'm happy to answer any questions I can - I'm pretty new to this truck and to auto repair as a whole.

Thank you!

 

[cvar]

That clicking/grinding is most likely non-centered axle shafts. That usually means worn wheel bearings or spindle bearing, not bad hubs.

To disable the auto-hubs, you can simply remove the cam: