4x4 problem

[danoexploring]

Ok, i have a 94 explorer that i guess use to have auto hubs and they switched it to manual, anyways then i lock the manual hubs and then press the 4x4 button it engages but it clicks pretty loud when i drive it. because off all the damn snow that has been falling here i have to use it alot. But today i was trying not to use it, had the hubs lock but didnt press the button and i was traveling about 25 mph and hit some ice or something and did a 180 threw the other lane and smacked into a snow bank. i pressed the 4x4 button and got myself out. luckly there where no other cars in the other lane but about 3 behind me who looked at me strange. I left the 4x4 on to get home but still clicks. if i try driving over 35 it gets really bad. When i turn it feels like it jumps a little in the front.. all the noises are coming from the front. I dont know much about the inner workings for the hubs and dont know what may cause it. I am taking to the ford dealership to have them look at it. But thought i might be able to save some money by having some of your guys great wisdom on the subject. thanks :roll:

 

[410Fortune]

Sounds like a hub problem possibly, only thing you can do is take it apart, could be alot of different things, U joints to spindle nuts to hubs.

Are they warn hubs on there? or do they have a red stripe?

 

[danoexploring]

I didnt see any noticable name or anything on it for the Hubs. its weird that it only makes sound if i press the button when the hubs are locked. i searched threw the other forums trying to find something similar but didnt see anything, maybe i just dont know what to look for. thanks for the reply. I wish i had a garage that i could work in... it about -1 degrees out with about 3 feet of snow.. plus the damn wind makes it a pain to even try to look under the X.

 

[410Fortune]

I know how it goes with the weather, I am a Colorado native and I drive a 88 Bronco II. haha

Anyways here's what happens. When you are driving around town in 2wd all the power is going to the rear axle. When you hit the 4x4 high button the T case shift motor turns a little dial and the T case sends half the power to the front axle. This is when the front driveshaft starts turning, this rotates the axleshafts going to both wheels. the hubs is what locks thewheel to the axle shaft, now the funny part about this is the piece that grabs the splines on the end of the axleshaft is plastic! If it is stripped out or if something in there is not fit right or broken, it will not engadge and can make all sorts of fun noises.

I am not sure that this is your problem, there is no real way to tell without taking the hub off.
Now the hub comes off with the wheel, so there are no special tools needed to get that far.

What we do know if that your noise is in the front, in 4wd, and it is somethig rotating.

So you can do a few things. With the truck in 2wd and hubs unlocked get under there and turn the front driveshaft. See if the axleshafts coming out of the differential are turning. Shoudl be smooth operation. Now lock one hub and try again, does that axleshaft stop? Lock the other hub and try again, you should not be able to turn the D shaft anymore. A visual inspection like this is the best place to start to see if you cant narrow down your prblem to a hub or U joint, or whatever.

Let us know what you find