Auto Hubs - what exactly breaks or wears out?

[Mark_ZZ3]

My 1991 Explorer is doing what seems to be a typical sign of worn out auto hugs - grinding, or popping sounds.

I don't want to convert to manual since I live in a climate were we see snow 6 months out of the year and auto hubs are perfect ... use em when you need it, turn them off and save gas when you don't.

Sp my question is ... what exactly wears out? Is it the component inside the "hat". When I inspect the Hat that comes off when you remove the wheel, I can see a mechanism that appears to slide over teh splines of the axle shaft when something engages it. It does not look overly complex or expense.

Or is the common failure on the axle side and you need to remove peices from that?

Is there any good diagrams I can look at?

I just hate paying someone to do work that I can do myself ... but I'll admit I am a Chevy guy, so this is rather new to me.

Thanks for any advice.
Mark.

 

[88vert]

Ask Kris

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=75771

 

[chris c]

i swapped to manuals a while ago and am going off what i recall so you will want to duoble check with a manual [which will have the diagrams you want anyway].

i noticed with mine [the autos] that two issue were causing them to fail. the damage caused usually effected the three ears on thecam assembly. if i recall correctly there is a clip on the axle. remove that and the star washer and the cam assembly will pull off. that assembly has three little ears on it. when the hubs begin to engage and do not fully lock these ears get all boogered.

hope that helps...

also on 4x4cyberstore there is a diagram obout removin the hubs. it woun't help on hub diagram you want but will on disassembly.

i'll get the link...

 

[chris c]

here....

http://4x4cyberstore.com/website/install_hubs_01.html

that cam gear is what got f'd up on me a couple times.

i also think that if the outer hub is not clean and lubed you will run into engaging problems. yuo can clean them out with a penetrating oil to get a lot of the old caked in crap out and then fill them up with transmission fluid and let them soak.

 

[chris c]

oh and to add the auto lock hubs were redesigned at some point [not sure when as i just went manual]. if you buy parts to rebuild your hubs make sure you get the newer style hubs.

 

[SVO]

Kris' hubs rock!

I'm a very satisfied customer!

 

[Mark_ZZ3]

Can you just swap hubs from the newer trucks, like a 1995, or are you talking about the hubs from a 1994?

I am not sure what year they updated the hub design. My truck is a 1991.

Mark.

Originally posted by chris c
oh and to add the auto lock hubs were redesigned at some point [not sure when as i just went manual]. if you buy parts to rebuild your hubs make sure you get the newer style hubs.

 

[XplorerKid]

95 and later have sealed hubs,(think that what they call it) they are hidden, un like are 1st gens. You can not adapt a 95-newer to the 1st gen.

PEACE

 

[chris c]

Originally posted by Mark_ZZ3
Can you just swap hubs from the newer trucks, like a 1995, or are you talking about the hubs from a 1994?

I am not sure what year they updated the hub design. My truck is a 1991.

Mark.

there was an update between 1991-94. as far as i know, if you went to ford and bought new hubs for a 1991 they would be the updated piece. as far as what year the update took place i am not certain.

 

[chris c]

all i could find which is not much but if you go here

http://www.fordpartsnetwork.com/catalog/itemdisplay/332.html

it speaks of a redesigned part.

i recall from a friends cousin [a guy who worked at ford] that there was a update on the hubs. there was a change internally not in specs but material. i am not even sure if the update came on the newer models 92-94 or came out after the model run as a replacement part.

i wish i new more... someone here must know the full story...

 

[Tony H]

It's too bad they don't sell replacement parts for these Hubs. You have to be a bit creative and things are tight in there but I just took my Auto Hubs apart and put them back together.

I swapped to manuals yesterday and just for giggles I wanted to see what is in the Autos.

Before replacing, I had a Binding feeling when in 4WD. Felt like a really really bad 'U' joint but everything was tight. Drove home in 4WD with the manuals engaged. No more popping so I was happy that my money on the manuals wasn't spent in vain.

Very easy install....I packed the bearings while I had the Spindle nuts off so it was a bit greasier then it would normally be.

 

[Mark_ZZ3]

I have that same stressful sounding popping. I don't think I have much choice but to switch to the manuals. They are a fraction of the cost compared to what Ford wants for hub "kits". And I know my driver's side wheel bear has too much play (in my opinion). So it will be a good chance to tighten up all that.

Now ... since the front shafts will be turning more often in the winter since I intend to leave it locked during the poor weather, should I upgrade to full synthetic lub in the front? Any chance the front driveshaft will create virbration problems at 60mph on the highway?

Mark.

 

[Tony H]

I wouldn't sweat the Gear oil. The front end is basically the rear axle spun around. I have run regular gear oil in my other vehicles for over 200000miles in the rear end. so the few 1000 miles you run with the Hubs locked in... no problem.

You may feel the truck being a bit draggy I wouldn't say you should feel Vibration.

There is a Spindle kit that you have to buy when going to Manuals. See if a Junkie will sell you a set of Spindle Nuts (with Washer) for a mid '80's 4WD Chevy pickup or Blazer. You can probably get them much cheaper.

 

[Tony H]

Mark, I just swapped over to Manuals this weekend.

Took the entire Auto Hubs apart. I saw nothing broken, no sign of wear BUT I know they were banging and binding before but now with the Manuals...it doesn't.

They look so basic and I can't believe there is such a tight tolerance in that Hub Assembly that would make or break their function. Evidently there is.