1st gen auto hubs only lock up in reverse

[tuckman]

My 92 ex still has the auto hubs and I am wondering why it only locks up in reverse, 4hi or 4lo. In forward gears I can hear the hubs clicking, well more like a baseball card in the spokes of a bike. I swapped out the 1354 auto for a 1354 manual and still the same problem, so I can rule out t-case problems.
I will be doing a full diff swap later (manual hubs and 3.73's from 3.27) this spring but I just got over a foot of snow in the last day and want to go out and play. What can I do to try to get these hubs working?

 

[RangerX]

You could try taking them off, setting them down and filling them with ATF and let them soak for an hour, but I would bet they are shot and you'll need new hubs. It's you chance to switch to the much-better manuals.

 

[tuckman]

Looks like some cleaning it will be, thanks.