4X4 H/L ONLY? I hope theres always snow....

[sumless]

Hi all, (1994 Ex 4X4 4Dr)

After moving up to the UP in MI my Ex likes 4X4 mode, a bit too much.
We get a fair amount of snow so its in 4X4H most of the time, but last week with
un-usually high temps theres lots of dry pavement. While driving
at about 55mph (ok a bit more maybe 65) and out of 4X4 there was this tremendous
banging, sounded like it was coming from the front end, forward of the drivers seat??
Obviously it was not only startaling but loud, one of those "Oh $h00t, how many miles
am I away from the next town". Slowing down it kept banging away while visions of gears
shattering went through my mind. At about 20mph it felt like each bang had some load
behind it. I didn't go more than about 1/4 mile tops like this. Oddly I thought it
might have something to do with 4X4 not being engaged so I engaged it and the sound
went away. Luckily I was able to drive along the shoulder were remanants of ice
and snow remained. Well, long story short out of 4X4 there is a sound like putting
the tranny in park while going at speed and some thunks, I dont dare try it at above 30.
I believe (from reading other posts) it may be the dreaded "Auto-locking" hubs.
I had noticed a couple of times under load a popping somewhat simuliar to this
event, from the front end. So, in short am I on the right track in chasing down
the auto-hubs and taking this time to go to the manuals, and if so, is there any
likely damage to the transfer case from this event?
I've put the Ex on ice (literally with the temps at -15) and am not driving any
distances except up and down the driveway to pack the snow down for the wifes car.
(Crossing my fingers)I hope its not the Transfer case, I don't think I can afford that
at the moment. Any advise would be helpful

Thanks!
-Joe
(PS I did also search on "bang" "Hub" "Auto hub" etc, point me in the right direction if I missed something)

 

[IZwack]

Yeah I think you're on the right track -- sounds like the hubs.

 

[Willard]

It does sound like the hubs were catching up on something. Try cleaning them, as per the directions at This Linkhttp://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/web/pages/fourwd.html

 

[sumless]

It does sound like the hubs were catching up on something. Try cleaning them, as per the directions at This Linkhttp://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/web/pages/fourwd.html

Thanks tons! I was imagining the worst (Transfer case) being the culprit. I'm not much for tearing down a transfer case or tranny, but the hubs I think I can tackle. Worst case at least it won't break the bank to have someone else do them. It's about -5 F and trying to do it in driveway with wind and snow will sux. Do you think any damage has/could have been done to my transfer case? Perhaps the U-joints might need to be addressed as well?
Just don't wanna end up getting that call from a garage saying, "well yeah but you need, x, y, and z replaced too". But at the same time want to replace things that might go bump in the night or road as it may be...

Thanks for the reply guys!
-Joe