Auto hub question revisited. long post

[Tony H]

Ok , for you guys who have had trouble and converted your hubs, help me.
When you Auto Hubs died, was it a problem with the Hub part that comes off the truck with the Tire and rim or was it the odd parts that actually hold on the Spindle that crapped out? I ask because I'm not sure if the occasional bang I feel is the Hubs or something else. ALL the 'u' joints look fine, and tight.
I took the Hubs off this weekend, cleaned them out with plenty of diesel fuel (to break up the gack) and put a light lube (auto trani fluid) and put it back together. Banging is still there. I didn't take off the SPindle nut assemblies and clean those and I haven't ruled out the Transfer case.
Which is my other question. the noise could feel like the chain skipping in the transfer case. Does this happen ever? I only know all Gear transfer cases (DANA20). If the chain jumps in 4WD, doesn't it also spin in 2WD and if so, wouldn't it be jumping there too?

Sorry this is long.

 

[Ray Lobato]

I can't help you with your problems, since my truck doesn't have auto hubs, but hopefully some one else can, so this will bump your thread back up to the front.
I do know that the transfercase is chain driven and usually if it goes, it goes all the way.

 

[jimbo74]

not sure what broke, just knew that in 4x4, my front and rear driveshafts would spin, but only the rear wheels would spin...... converted to manuals, and have never had a problem since..... that clunking/binding is inherent on the early gen Xs also on the second gen as well, just less noticeable..... ask again if you have more questions

 

[Albino 94LTD]

I just switched to manual hubs cause my auto's wouldn't engage anymore but before they quit all together, I got the same Klunking sound.

When I took the auto hubs off I tried to figure out how they work, here is my assumption.

The cam on the spindle nut pushes the cam in the flange assembly out. This engages the splines in the flange asssembly with the outer splines on the axel collar and bingo, the wheel starts pulling, or should.

When I look in my Haynes book the illustration shows 2 thrust washers behind the cam assembly on the spindle nut. For some reason my EX didn't have any.

Take the flange assembly apart by removing the little clip in the flange on the bearing shaft and pull the cam and axel collar out. You will see that the cam rides on a wave spring in the flange (probably packed with grease so you will have to clean it just to see it) there too is a plastic part that may eventually wear out of tollerance.

I assumed that the worn plastic parts and the lack of thrust washers meant the outer cam wasn't being pushed far enough to engage the splines anymore. and the Klunking sound was probably the teeth in the flange and on the axel collar jumping one another.

$200-$230 for Warn manual hubs and bearing nuts will make you troubles go away. Less than the cost for one new Ford auto hub. It really is worth it!

 

[Tony H]

Thanks!. I am going with the manuals anyway I was just looking for someone to say: " Hey, stupid, it aint the hubs it's the Transfer case " OR "Yup, that binding/clunking is the Auto Hubs for sure."
I got the replacement spindle nut kit coming to switch over to manuals.
I bought them on E-bay. They are identical to the Spindle nuts and washer that are on the earlier Chevy's. Dana 44 type (With or without the Wings are fine). So I saved a bundle on those. The WARN kit is about $54 US. I paid $15 on 'almost new' ones.
The WARN Kit 27997 was superceded by 32720. Either one is fine the difference is the 'Wings' that I mentioned above the 32720 has the Wings just like the '77-'87 Chevy's have.
Thanks