No 4x4 after Permanently Locking Hubs

[MudSlinger]

I have a 1998 Ford Ranger 4x4. I was having problems with my four wheel drive not kicking in. I searched around the forums and found the Permanently Locking Hub in the Technical Library. I did as it said and still no four wheel drive. I noticed that on my passenger side there was some dried rusted particles that fell out. I am guessing this probably has something to do with my problem?

If anyone can give some suggestions or advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

varify that your hubs are actually locked. with the transfer case in 2wd, crawl under the truck and try to turn the front driveline. it shouldnt turn more than 1/4 of a turn or so.

if the hubs are locked, the problem is likely in the electric transfer case motor.

 

[MudSlinger]

In 2WD the driveline spins freely. Once I put it into 4WD it turns less than 1/4 and locked.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

so one or both of your hubs arent locking in. and it sounds like your shift motor is working...thats good news.

your next test should be to put the truck in 4wd and jack one front tire up at a time and see if you can spin it. if you can spin both of them freely, both of your hubs are shot. if you can spin one, but not the other, the tire that spins has the bad hub.

 

[MudSlinger]

I just checked. Both tires spin freely in 4WD.

What am I looking at now? A vacuum problem? I am under the understanding that by permanently locking your hubs the vacuum shouldn't matter?

I have a set of AVM hubs ordered however they will not for awhile. And I assume since locking my hubs has not worked, that the AVM hubs will still not fix the problem? This whole vacuum deal is new to me.

Thanks for the quick responses.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

perminently locking your hubs gets rid of the vacuum. it sounds like you didnt get them locked properly. i would try again and see if you can get them to lock in this time around.

the AVM's should fix this problem...when they show up.

 

[MudSlinger]

Gotcha. I followed the instructions and read them twice. From what I understand, removing the metal clip inside the two white plastic pieces should lock them? What am I missing?

 

[MudSlinger]

3) Separate the two plastic pieces and spring. . Use a screwdriver to gently pry the two white pieces apart. Only one piece has a metal bit in it - remove it from the back by prying it up with a small screw driver. The pieces WILL NOT stay together now so don't worry about trying to get the white things to hold the spring - they'll do just fine once you put them back in the housing.

4) Remove the metal piece that is glued to one of the plastic pieces.

After reading this again. Is there two metal peices that need to be removed? I only found one.

Is there a chance that the gear is not being pushed in to engage? Possibly the reason for the rust particles I found?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ive never actually done the conversion myself...but going by the pictures, it looks like there is only one metal peice.

hmm, its possible that the rusted up vacuum portion of the hubs is preventing them from locking in. you might have disassemble the hubs and spindles to lube everything up and get it working right.

 

[MudSlinger]

Thats what I am thinking. Only the passenger side had rust, the driver side looked fine. Yet both are not working. I guess I will have to tear into it and find out what happening.

Thanks again!

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

no problems.

good luck

 

[Murdock]

I tore into my hubs today.They were pretty seized up. With the help of some penetration oil, a punch, hammer and screw driver, I managed to get them freely moving again.

My 4x4 now works great. Thanks for the help.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

awesome. im glad you got it going again