4x4 trying to engage? auto hubs shot?

[GenLee01]

Hey guys. I have a 94 sport with the auto hubs. I was out driving to my friends yesterday house and my front drivers side started making a strange noise that would get higher pitched when i went faster. i stoped and put it in reverse and backed up about 100 feet and it stopped. is it me or does it sound like the 4x4 was trying to engage? if so is it time to replace with manuals?

 

[DeRocha]

You are correct. The autohubs are trying to engage which causes this noise. The easiest way to stop the noise while driving is to lock the hubs by going into 4x4. You can disengage 4x4 as soon as the hubs lock. My vehicle has been like this for 5 years and only occurs when I make sharp turns. If the noise is harsh or continues after the turn then I use the above method. Reversing direction will also work, but doesn't work too well in traffic.

A common cause is packing the hubs with grease. This causes a preload on the spring assembly which then is half ready to engage. Taking a corner then adds more load which causes the hubs to try and engage.

 

[snocross1985]

I had the same problem you described last winter. The noise would happen to me at least twice while driving somewhere. I finally got so sick of it making the noise and mmy 4x4 not working right that i put in a set of WARN manual locking hubs. Best investment to date for my truck.

 

[2L8ULUZ2]

The auto hubs in my 94 sport went out three winters ago in the middle of a huge snow storm which was really fun. Anyway ended up converting to Warn manual hubs in a buddies garage that night and that was the best thing I have ever done to it. They have held up to lots more snow and mud than the auto hubs would ever take.

 

[JDraper]

Yep, time for manuals....

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

mine did that the other day