PVH issues?

[sugarshane]

I have a 98 Ranger and my FWD is not working. My front driveshaft is spinning yet my FWD does not engage. I am assuming that it is the hub(s) giving me issues but how can I check for sure? I don't have a locker up front and niether wheel will turn, is that because power is being being tranferred to side with least resistance or because both hubs are shot? I plan on selling the truck in the near future so I am leary about permanently locking the hubs or the AVM hubs. I am not having any luck finding replacemant parts online for the PVHs. The closest thing I can find is a front wheel hub bearing. Is that needed to get it back to stock condition? I have been an F-16 mechanic for 6 years and an aircraft mechanic at a flight school for 2 years so I am mechanically inclined, I just dont know anything about this 4x4 system. If I do go the AVM route are the manual hubs about the same size? I have aftermarket wheels and want to make sure they will fit under the wheel caps. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

The 4WD system works through vacuum, where the outer hub disconnects lock and unlock the axles to the wheels. The reason you can't find the hub disconnects is because they are a dealer only item. The wheel bearing assemblies are available aftermarket; however, these will not solve the issue. First, you need to check for vacuum leaks in the vacuum lines that go to the steering knuckles. If those look ok, pop off your center caps and remove the hub disconnect. There is a great writeup in the tech section about this process. Check out the hub for any wear, and also check the o-ring. Any leaks in this system will cause the hubs not too function properly.

 

[sugarshane]

thanks for the help. does any know if the AVM hubs will fit under aftermarket wheel center caps? are they roughly the same size?

 

[Jspafford]

They should fit under the cap, but you would probably want to cut the center out of the cap so you can lock/unlock them without pulling the cap off each time. If you have manual lockouts you mind as well unlock them in the summer.