1995 ranger drivers side hub won't engage!

[95purpleranger]

Hey guys this is my first time posting here and my first time with a 4x4 I have a 95 ranger w/4.0 v6 and the drivers side auto hub will not engage I think the pasenger side does but I have no idea how to fix this problem do they make a rebuild kit for these or what is the best thing to do?

 

[MrShorty]

"Best" is somewhat subjective. In most people's opinion, the best thing to do with a bad auto hub is to replace them both with manual hubs. Two manual hubs are cheaper and more reliable than one auto hub.

 

[95purpleranger]

I like the convenience of auto hubs but I really don't go off road that much how much of a pain are manual hubs compared to auto hubs

 

[Ray Lobato]

Well if you have a 95, then you don't have auto hubs. It's just like the 95+ Explorers. They have solid hubs. What you are seeing is your open differential driving only one wheel and not both, because in an open differential the side with the least amount of traction gets all the power. There is nothing wrong with your truck. If you want both wheels to spin, then you need a limited slip or locker installed into the differential.

 

[MrShorty]

IMO, they aren't much of a pain. Once the manual hubs are locked, you can shift from 4H to 2H at will. With a little foresight ("There's going to be snow in the pass, I'll lock the hubs before I leave the garage."), you can lock the hubs in anticipation of needing the 4WD and then shift the t-case on demand. Even if you have to get out to lock the hubs, to me, that's a lot less of an inconvenience than pushing the button and not having 4WD because the hubs are shot.
In the end, though, it's all about money. If the convenience of auto hubs is worth the extra cost, by all means, buy a new auto hub. That's why I said the "best" option depends on who you ask. To most people I talk to, the convenience isn't worth the extra cost. Some, though, will pay extra for a little more convenience. It's only money, after all.

 

[MrShorty]

Well if you have a 95, then you don't have auto hubs. It's just like the 95+ Explorers. They have solid hubs. What you are seeing is your open differential driving only one wheel and not both, because in an open differential the side with the least amount of traction gets all the power. There is nothing wrong with your truck. If you want both wheels to spin, then you need a limited slip or locker installed into the differential.

Actually, from what I've gathered, the Rangers didn't get the D35 IFS front end until '97 or '98. '95 Rangers still used the D35 TTB like the '91-'94 Explorers.

 

[95purpleranger]

On my hubs they say automatic so I assume they are auto hubs please explain why they are not auto when they say auto.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Do you have IFS front end? I thought that the Rangers started using IFS when the Explorers did?

 

[95purpleranger]

How do I tell I really don't know what it has?

 

[Ray Lobato]

I am sorry. Rangers didn't go to the IFS until 98, that means that you do indeed have autohubs. Many times you can take them apart and clean them up, then take alittle bit of ATF fluid and coat the inner parts. DO NOT USE GREASE!
Let me ask you this question. How do you know that it IS NOT engaging? What is it doing to make you think that it is not engaging?

 

[RangerX]

<ahem> A 95 Ranger still has the TTB front axle, with auto hubs. FYI Ray, the switch for Rangers started with the 98's.

If you want to stay with the auto hubs, search on this board for Kris Guilbeaux. He fixes and resells auto hubs. If you go to a dealer, you'll pay hundreds!

edit: damn, Ray, you beat me!

 

[Ray Lobato]

 

[95purpleranger]

The passenger side engages and the drivers side we took them apart and checked them out there is a seal that allowed some dirt and grit to get in the drivers side hub and I am going to replace the seal before I get the hub to prevent this from happening again.

 

[RangerX]

Oh by the way, welcome to the site!