4x4 is broke! help

[shorty_2low]

I have a 1994 explorer 4x4 and the four wheel drive is broke, a computer problem has been ruled out because we started from the computer and work our way forwarded and found it to be the automatic lock out hub. we put the truck on jack stands, put it in 4x4 and seen the 4x4 drive shafts turning but the tire didn't even flinch! (there was a buzzing sound coming from the right hub) so we took the hubs off and seen the right sides internal workings where siting lower inside the hub than the left side. so we took the right side apart and put a shim in it to make up for the difference, and put them on ...i didn't work, there was a really loud buzzing from the right side this time!
so what should i do? dos any one have input? are these hubs prone to problems?

 

[gijoecam]

Yes, you are just the latest victim of crappy engineering. The Ford auto-hubs are prone to failure. The solution is to replace them. OE auto hubs are junk. By switching to aftermarket manual hubs, you trade off true shift on the fly convenience for true locked-hub reliability. Not sure on the prices for both, but the conversion kit with two new hubs was roughly the same price as one auto hub last time I checked...

-Joe-

 

[shorty_2low]

where do you find the after market manual ones? do you have an idea of how much$$?

 

[gijoecam]

Been a long time since I looked for/priced them... if you run a search there's TONS of posts on this issue.

Sorry I can't be more help.... my auto hubs are working again (for now!)

-Joe-

 

[dejello]

Manuals will probably run you around $180-$200 with a conversion kit. Try looking at www.4wheelparts.com or www.accessconnect.com
Got mine for around $180 from accessconnect with the kit. Don't forget the conversion kit!

There are no doubt other places I'm not thinking of too. As gijoecam said, there should be many posts about 'em...

 

[ahhjaws]

Warn manual hubs cost me about $180 with a conversion kit for $35.

 

[Muskrat]

Damn, I got ripped off, mine cost $250 w/o the kit, + $50 for two stupid round locking nuts. AWnyway, it's an easy install, I used to leave the hubs locked in the winter, and just lock in the t-case when I needed 4x4.

 

[dejello]

Ouch! That bites... Where did you get those?

 

[MrShorty]

I replaced my auto hubs with milemarker manuals from Autozone. Cost me 120 for the hub and 30 for the kit.

 

[dejello]

Did better than me I guess.. Got any pics? (I'm just interested in how they look)

 

[punkbek3886]

yeah, mine broke too and there is also a whirring sound coming from the driver side front wheel. i opened up the hubs and compared the two and found that a small snap ring was missing from the messed up side. im going to try to replace this and see if it helps, but i have a feeling it wont. i plan to buy warn locking hubs and a conversion kit for 160 at www.truckperformance.com