Auto locking hub is broken. Will it still work?

[Malchi]

I was having a problem with my '91, when trying to take it out of 4X4, was making a grinding noise in the hub area. Actually, it wouldn't come out of 4X4 unless I crawled under there while it was stopped and turned the left axle shaft backwards.

So, I pulled the tire off just now, intending to clean all the grease out that I suspected was in there. But, when the hub came off, there was still a gear left on the axle. So, looking at the other hub I noticed that that gear was locked in there somehow, whiles on the one it would come out easy. Then I noticed that there is a lock ring at the bottom that locks onto some kind of stud. But, on the one hub that stud is broken off and still in the gear with the lock ring.

Hmmmm...... does this mean it is broken beyond repair and I now have to switch to manuals or buy another auto hub? Or, can I just put it back together and it will still work, just have to take it out of 4X4 the way I was doing it? But, then will it likely leave me stranded somewhere I don't want to get stranded at the worst possible time?

 

[BradR]

If it's broken, fix it. You can get another auto hub, or you could go manual.
You pretty much answered your own question.

 

[Tbars4]

...If you had your location under your name, others in your area that have parts or hubs might be able to help you out..

 

[Malchi]

...If you had your location under your name, others in your area that have parts or hubs might be able to help you out..

Thanks for the tip Tbars. I'm less than an hour away from you.

BTW: I mainly use this for heading to Big Bear or Lytle Creek in the winter. I work construction, so when it's raining I'm off. And, when it's raining down in the Inland Empire, it's usually snowing up in the mountains.

 

[Tbars4]

...Manual hubs are the best and most reliable...

..but, Pick your Part usually has the auto hubs laying on the ground for easy pickens...They are also having a 1/2 price sale turkey day weekend..

 

[Malchi]

Yes, I'd rather change to the Manuals, but just don't have the money for new ones right now. Do you know of any Pick Your Parts that have some manuals lying around?

I'll be in Oklahoma for turkey day week, so I will do some hunting around that area as well.

As for the broken one, do you think that's likely the reason it won't un-lock? Think it will still be ok for snow?

 

[Tbars4]

...From what you describe, I believe that to be the problem and it is not something I would run in the snow...

...The manual hubs are usually gone before I get to them...They are like $38 for the pair at PYP anytime and the spindle nuts are another $20 for both sides...One auto hub from PNP will be under $20...

...There is some more info in the hub stickie at the top of this section...

 

[Malchi]

Under $20 for an auto hub? That ain't too bad. Yeah, I'd like to switch to manuals, but at that price I may just keep my autos till work picks up again next spring.

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.

 

[MudRunner90]

$20 where the F did you get your hub, an auto parts store, i got one from a u pull it/junk yard for like $10! WTF

 

[Malchi]

Ok, went to the local pick a part and they actually had several of the auto hubs so I grabbed one for $11 +$3 for a 30 day warranty. Not too bad I don't think.

But, They also had a few 88 and 89 broncoIIs with the manual locking hubs. Now, looking at them they looked like the inside was smaller than the one for my explorer. But, got me to thinkng. What other vehicles can I look on for manual hubs on my '91 X? Would a 91 F-150 4x4 fit? Ranger?

Also, had several 4X4 Xs with no hubs, just spindle nuts. So, how would I know if I found one that had manual hubs and someone took them but not the spindle nuts? I figured if I could find one like that I would grab the spindle nuts so I don't have to by the kit to convert an auto hub to manuals.

 

[Malchi]

Ok, just answered some of my questions by reading the sticky on the locking hubs. I see now which vehicles I can grab them off of to fit.

But, again, how would I know by looking at a spindle nut missing the hub if it was auto or manual? Can I just look for the Cam? I don't think so cause someone may have taken the cam and left everything else.

 

[Tbars4]

...Check the "hubs" stickie at the top of this section...

...Manuals will look like the nuts in the bag while autos are cam's which look totally different..

 

[Malchi]

thanks Tbars, I guess I should have done that first.

I "think" the ones I was looking at were just missing the cams. But, how do I know for sure?