Newbie Question?

[ehogan]

I have a 89 BII with manual locking hubs. When the truck is in 2wd there is no issue. When I lock the hubs in and turn the 4wd on I get a awful grinding and popping noise out of the front. I do not think the hubs are engaging properly. Can I take the hubs off and clean them, re-grease them? Is this a typical problem? Or is something that I should be concerned with?

Thanks

 

[strvger]

yes, be concerned. grinding and popping is not normal. sounds like it could very well be the hubs in which case you might be better off just getting new ones. and the Warn brand seems to be the popular choice for durability and longevity. if the hubs look good, and even if they don't, then i'd check the wheel bearing next. while you're under there, might also want to check all your u joints and suspension components as well. just my $.02.

 

[Nhaz]

Before going and replacing any parts. Make sure the parts you are replacing are actually the problem.

Grinding and popping could also be bad U joints.

Leave the hubs Unlocked and put it in 4x4. see if the noise goes away. If you are still hearing some rattling its possibly the U joints

Crawl under the front and examine those U joints. Anything and grinding and popping is going to show lots of movement in the joints where there should be none.

Or jack up the front and rotate the tire back and forth with the hub locked while watching the U joints again is you see play you have a bad U joint.

It could Also be a broken tooth inside the front differential . harder to pin down without putting the whole truck on jack stands and engaging the 4x4. then crawling under and listening at the pumpkin.

 

[ehogan]

Ok, I left the hubs unlocked and put it in 4wd, the noise is still there. So I am safe to assume that it is not the hubs. Please forgive me if I get any terminology wrong. The sound seems like it is coming from the front transfer case. If the U-Joints were bad they should make noise all the time..Correct? I bought the truck from a guy on a farm, he said that it had been sitting for quite some time. Is it possible that the front differntial needs some lubrication. I am a novice when it comes to fixing cars, the BII has taught me a lot so far. I have always paid someone else to do it for me. So please bare with me guys..... Thanks

 

[Nhaz]

The U joints may quieten up some if the load of the truck isn't on them but they are still turning.

EDITED. Before we go much further on this. Make sure the tires are all the same size. Yes its important. If they are different sizes even minor differences can cause the front end to shudder and make I am broken sounds.

Also. The person you bought the truck from. Can you ask them if they changed any of the gears in the rear or front.(and if so what is the ratio they changed too) Again Very important. the front and rear gear ratios have to be exactly the same.

IN that front end there should be 5 U joints. 1 on the drivers side 2 on the passenger side and 2 on the front drive shaft (1 at the transfer case and the other at the front differential)

If the One at the differential is bad its Right behind the differential so it can sound like the diff.

On the other hand its entirely possible the front diff is busted and you will need to replace parts inside of it. Even is the diff is out of fluid it really should not sounds like grinding and popping.

I would at this point put the truck on jacks and hand crank the wheels with the hubs locked and start feeling and listening to the various U joints and of course the diff. U joints should have No play in them at all if there is play its a dead U joint. The diff may have some small play in it.

If you have determined that its Not a U joint then the only thing left is the diff. and that is a pain in the ass job. You almost have to take the front end off the truck to take it off.

We can help you through it but I would not start in on the diff without having a friend that knew something about it willing to help you with the job.