Another Auto hub question....long

[Chris Jella']

Today I was tinkering with the 93 EB I recently bought. Today while cleaning and greasing the caliper slide pins I took a look at the auto hubs. Let me start by saying the Explorer has 100,000 on it and the 4WD works perfectly so far. Engages and disengages quickly and the hubs click out before it rolls backwards more than a foot. I searched and read articles posted here and on the singleton site on the hubs, but still have questions. I want to get the most life out of them so I'd like to clean and lube them.
As I look at them, the teeth like "gears" are coated in grease. Not packed, as I can see through to the back and it's totally clean and grease free. Do I need to clean them totally inside with something before soaking them in gear oil? What can I safely use? Do I also need to clean the "teeth" on the spindle/rotor area as well? Any cleaning tips greatly appreciated.
Chris

 

[Chris Jella']

Dogman,
Thanks for the info. I will wipe off the excess grease and save up for the manual hubs. I'm not sure yet if I have to work this weekend or not, but would love to join you for the weekend and meet all of you. If I go it will just be a friend, myself and my 93. I'll have an answer on work by mid week. Hope to see you there, if not, will try next time.
CJ

 

[Gofast]

Chris, Like Dogman said. I have a 94 XLT. I broke the hubs at the 150K mark. I was loading my Waverunners on the Beach in Jacksonville. Buried it up to the Axels trying to leave the Beach ( Air Down? ), next thing I heard was this cool clicking sound up front and this nice guy said " Your front wheels are not turning "

This was the beginning of the 4X4 bug for me. I thought the WARN manual hubs looked neat on my truck, so I put some 31 X 11.5's on there next. Now I'm scheduled for the 5.5" lift and who know's what's next.

So yea, don't mess with them. Buy the Warns for whenever yours go, and have fun.

Happy Trails

------------------
Rob Robertson
"It's an Explorer Thing, you wouldn't understand"

 

[DOGMAN]

Chris,

I'm sure you've heard "If it's not broke, don't fix it". This applies in this case. You're lucky to have the auto hubs working properly with that many miles. They probably weren't used very much or very hard. I would consider them the weakest link in your 4WD system. There are many posts on this site pertaining to malfunctioning auto hubs, so let that be an omen. Many of us have switched to the manual Warn hubs, and are very satisfied with the results. Doesn't mean that you have to switch yet, especially if you just occasionally use 4WD in mild to moderate conditions. But if used hard, it's a good possibility that the auto hubs will break.

As far as maintainance goes, I would do nothing. Since they're working fine now, anything you try to do to them might end up with a bad result. The auto hubs, like any manual hub, is not designed to be packed with grease. They will not engage properly if they are full of grease. I would just wipe away any grease build up that is on the flange, mainly from the wheel bearings, and leave it at that.

Using any type of solvent to clean the hubs is not recommended. Don't soak them in gear oil either. I know you're trying to take care of your "new" vehicle the best you can, but just leave the hubs alone.

Also, the "teeth" on the spindle/rotor area is actually the splined end of the axle shaft. If there is tons of grease on this, simply wipe it away with a rag, no need to do anything else.

If you'd like another opinion, you could contact the Warn service center and talk to their reps, they are very knowledgable. Their number is 888-722-6730.

I see you live in Ozark, MO. I live in the Kansas City area. A few of us from this website are getting together this coming weekend, Feb. 19,20,21, at Tuttle Creek ORV area by Manhattan, KS for some four wheeling. Don't know if you would be interested, but you would be more than welcome. Let us know if you are. You can check out more about this by going to "Serious Explorations" and looking at the Heartland Run-Kansas thread.

Good luck with your Explorer.

==================
DOGMAN
91 4dr 5sp
5.5" Superlift

 

[DOGMAN]

Chris,

If you have any questions about Tuttle Creek this coming weekend, post on "Serious Explorations" or e-mail me directly. Your friend, yourself, and your 93 are more than welcome to join us.


Gofast Rob,

Still have the lift scheduled for Fri? Hope everything turns out well.

==================
DOGMAN
91 4dr 5sp
5.5" Superlift