4x4..Please HELP me!!!

[4x4Hunter]

Hey! I've got a 91 Explorer 4X4. There is a "thumping" noise coming when I have the 4x4 Engaged ...about every 15-20 feet. I have been looking around and found out that the hubs have problems. Do you think this is my problem? The thumping only occurs when the 4X4 is engaged. Is it cheaper to replace the hubs w/ 2 manual lockouts or replace the electric ones.

-4x4Hunter

 

[sgoodwin]

I had the same thing happen in my Navajo, and it was cheaper to replace both hubs with Warn manual hubs than it was to replace one auto hub. I like the manuals better(less moving parts=less problems)hope this helps.

 

[Syder-1]

The design of the auto hubs are notoriously very poor. They were designed by Warn who happen to make the manual replacements (go figure) which are way better. Don't replace the auto hubs with another set of autohubs. Not only are they more expensive than the manuals, they will cause you more grief down the road and more coin. The conversion is very simple to do. And it's no big deal to have to get out and lock the hubs.

"Go manual or go home"

Good luck. Hope this helps.


Syder-1

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doo doo happens

[This message has been edited by Syder-1 (edited 01-21-2000).]

 

[Bigrick]

Been there, Done that! After a lot of head scratchin and tire kickin I took those damn auto hubs off and proceeded to tear them down. I found that the splines were only engaging the hub about 3/16". They were all beveled over both ways.(I swapped sides to try and see which one was bad) Needless to say I then proceeded to the local parts store and got me some Manual Warn hubs for $182.00. I my humble opinion Auto hubs are for city dwellers who can't figure out what the second shifter is for.

 

[4x4Hunter]

OK, So here's the deal... I listened to everyone...and I mean EVERYONE.. and decided that living in Northern New York that snow was always likely (and I was tired of the damn thumping sound) so I went and got a set of manual hubs, which with conversion ran $250, mostly because I wanted them right away. Had I waited until monday I could have gotten them for around $214, but... my helpful mechanic..who doesn't charge was available tonite... Anyway, turns out that the mechanic wasn't available and I had to do the job myself. The key gave me trouble on the drivers side, but other than that it all went very easily. I have a question on the torque needed for the two bolts... I don't have a torque wrench.. is the issue of "exact" torque really important or can I get away with "snuggin it up"? I did the snugg it up method and took it out in some light powder tonite, seems to work well. The other thing is... being new to manual hubs....it doesn't want to disengage the 4x4 without some reverse action...about maybe 5-10 feet. Is this normal or did I screw something up? Hoping for advice..and assistance.

Thanks everyone
4x4Hunter

 

[ex91]

man habs should not dis gage

did you get the new spindle nuts?????
im from canada it cost me $383 for both hubs but there ford hubs made by warn are they the same ??