94 Explorer. My front hubs are making noise when I engage 4WD.

[john1baum]

My Daughters 94 explorer, when she puts it into 4 wheel by pushing button on dash, it goes into 4 wheel drive but when under strain it slips and the front wheels make grinding noise. Please help Doug

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check the auto hubs.

 

[Four0Sport]

sounds like an auto hub problem, this is why i went with manuals

 

[BrooklynBay]

This link is # 27 in my list of useful threads: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122696

 

[DeRocha]

My Daughters 94 explorer, when she puts it into 4 wheel by pushing button on dash, it goes into 4 wheel drive but when under strain it slips and the front wheels make grinding noise. Please help Doug

Hi Doug and welcome to the forum

How long has your daughter had the vehicle? In what kind of road conditions are you engaging 4x4? 1st Generation Explorers ('91-'94) use a true 4x4 system which sends power 50/50 front and rear. As such 4x4 should only be used in low traction situations (wet pavement, dirt roads, etc). Using 4x4 on dry pavement will cause torque wind up which can/will damage the drivetrain components.

That being said if you are using 4x4 in low traction situations and the front wheels slip and make a grinding noise the problem is most likely the autohubs failing to remain locked under the strain. This is a common issue for autohubs and why they are often swapped out for less expensive (but much stronger) manual hubs.

 

[HahnsB2]

Auto hubs are junk, typical failure story. Manual hub swap is in order, they actually work.

 

[jordan1948]

Not trying to take over the thread but where can I get manual locking hubs and how much?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Warn makes them.

 

[Tbars4]

Not trying to take over the thread but where can I get manual locking hubs and how much?

...This may help along with some other info from the "How to" in my signature...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1867081&postcount=457

 

[jordan1948]

Thanks guys this really helps, one more thing, I was looking at Warn's website and it doesn't say whether they come in pairs or just single hubs, soooo which is it?

 

[Tbars4]

...The link I posted is quoted in pairs...

 

[jordan1948]

Thanks tbars

 

[Tbars4]

...No problem....Prices do change but with those P/N's you should be able to shop with confidence...:biggthump