auto hubs not disengaging all the time

[theMagnumHeart]

I know most of the time when you turn around corners or curves and your hubs make a rattling sound or a clicking its from where they need to be cleaned or they are just worn... but sometimes, not all the time, when I engage 4x4 and use it for a while then disengage it i will start driving down the road and all the sudden it sounds like an airplane is taking off inside the truck, but its coming from the hubs... it sounds like they are partially engaged... I can stop, put it in reverse and go back around 10-20' and go back into drive and it fixes the problem until I next use the 4x4, or I can simply slow down engage the 4x4 on the dash sit a second or so, and disengage it and it also fixes the problem...

is this just caused from dirty/worn hubs?

Also when Im in 4x4 high range sometimes either one of the hubs, right or left, will "pop" making a loud thud like its not locked in all the way

 

[walterd140]

Worn cam assembly on the spindle. Just went through that myself. If it gets any worse, you will loose 4wd. Had to go to the junk yard to find the parts. Search my name to find the topic I posted.

Good luck
Walter

 

[theMagnumHeart]

well i've been thinking and doing alot of reading up on that article and the only difference is my 4x4 works... I havent preformed any of the tests yet (too cold out right now) but im 100% sure from experience using it that it is working, maybe not completely locking in but definitely working...

and after reading so much about dirty hubs, I think this might be my problem... they guy I bought the X off of is a good buddy and partner mechanic... anything that needs done to it I take it to him for us to figure out because he has owned 3 ex's and replaced just about every part you can think of on one that would go bad... and I had to replace both hubs 2 years ago due to the cam "nipples" not the pockets but the flanges that stick outwards were broken... and after we replaced the hubs, we re-packed them with grease... here's the problem I think we may have over packed them... so Im going to yank the tire and hub off and take a look either today or tomorrow...

I think this is going to turn into a spring job though... not much more snow expected in my parts and our total snow fall for january and december combined hasn't even been 12" and Im the casual 4x4 driver so it will be fine until then... im hoping

 

[fixxxer]

and after we replaced the hubs, we re-packed them with grease...

The hubs should only be lightly lubricated

 

[DeRocha]

The noise and partial engagement are signs of worn/packed hubs. As mentioned HUBS are a dry assembly and only need grease to prevent rust (nothing else). If you pack grease into the hub it will force the cam gear towards the engagement cam which can lock the hub..

Another tell tale sign of too much grease is buzzing or chattering when going around corners.. This occurs as the hub is hydro locked with grease and trying to engage as the force on the hubs change when taking corners.

 

[theMagnumHeart]

thanks for the replies... yea we took it off and cleaned it up and it fixed the chatter problem around corners/curves... and also found that one of the flanges that stick out on the cam with the little "****" one of those little nobs on the end is broke off causing the popping sound... can I buy just this part of the cam or do I need to buy a new cam? (probably get one from the junk yard)

 

[Skydiver]

thanks for the replies... yea we took it off and cleaned it up and it fixed the chatter problem around corners/curves... and also found that one of the flanges that stick out on the cam with the little "****" one of those little nobs on the end is broke off causing the popping sound... can I buy just this part of the cam or do I need to buy a new cam? (probably get one from the junk yard)

This isn't answering your question but .......

It also sounds like you're being rough on your hubs. It is rare to damage them like that unless you're off-road driving, ( Oh, I see..."and I'm the casual 4x4 driver" ) . The Auto-hubs are a bit fragile but are more than enough for over-the-road use.


Remember to never rock your Ex while in 4wheel. Only change Park - Reverse - Drive while at idle and full stop. *A must if in 4Lo !!!


Maybe manual locking hubs are in your future. A f**k-ton cheaper, you'll know they work every time and they'll be the last you ever buy.

 

[DeRocha]

... can I buy just this part of the cam or do I need to buy a new cam? (probably get one from the junk yard)

The individual hub components are not available by themselves (you'd have to buy the entire hub assembly ($$$).

 

[walterd140]

As Derocha said.... individual parts are not on the market. Believe me... I have searched. Go to the bone yard & grab whatever you can find. I have seen the '93 have nylon parts & '94 metal. So find a '94, rip the spline gear off & swap it out. Takes about 10 minutes to do after the tire is off.

Again... search my name & check out the post on the same issue of the hubs.

Good luck Man... & happy xing