Automatic to manual hubs, please help!!

[Chamberlain75]

Hi guys, so basically my Explorer has a problem on the automatic hubs (2nd pair bought used about 2 years ago), they are not unlocking properly so my car is moving all the front axle while on 2H. I've tried everything to unlock them but it won't help.

I was wondering if it's possible to do the conversion from the automatic to the manual hubs? My car has the button activated 4H and 4Lo. Is there an online store where I can buy all the stuff needed? Any advice on changing them? Links to the parts that I need?

Thanks a lot!!!

Francisco Chamberlain
93 Explorer 4x4 XLT 5speed manual
San Jose, Costa Rica

 

[timtimtimajim]

Yep you can do that conversion.

You will need the hubs themselves

https://www.amazon.com/WARN-29071-S...rd:explorer&keywords=warn+manual+locking+hubs

As well as the spindle nut conversion kit

https://www.amazon.com/WARN-32720-S...rd:explorer&keywords=warn+manual+locking+hubs

I prefer the Warns but you can also get Mile Marker brand hubs as well.

 

[Brian1]

They should unlock if you back up about 20 feet after disengaging 4x4. If they don't, the internals are too full of grease. Take them off and clean the grease out then soak the inside of the hub in transmission fluid before reinstalling.

 

[larrydd999]

No intent to hijack the thread, but if it's ok to do so here could someone explain briefly (if possible) why it's necessary to back up 20 feet or so to disengage the 4x4? I assume it's something in the transfer case that won't disengage otherwise, but what?

 

[timtimtimajim]

It's the front hubs that are disengaged when you back up. So instead of getting out to turn a knob and unlock for manual hubs you just back up to unlock the hubs.

The transfer case is shifted by either moving the shifter or pushing the button. Backing up does nothing to the transfer case.

 

[RangerX]

Yup, front auto hubs only.

 

[Rhett]

No intent to hijack the thread, but if it's ok to do so here could someone explain briefly (if possible) why it's necessary to back up 20 feet or so to disengage the 4x4? I assume it's something in the transfer case that won't disengage otherwise, but what?

My understanding (possibly flawed) is that there is/was a cam in the autohub that is designed to back out off the spindle if the t-case isn't engaged and the truck rolls in reverse.

It was a pretty elegant solution for hands-off in-cab operation I think. Otherwise Ford would have had to engineer some sort of electrical system to get the hubs unlocked.

It was only a pain when you had to exit the highway to reverse 10 or 20 feet just to get them unlocked. When I was out in Colorado, coming out of the mountains, I usually unlocked at a place called Floyd Hill on I-70 coming down into Denver. It was a good place because the snow usually wasn't on the road anymore at the lower elevation, and there was a nice restaurant parking lot right off the highway. No one is interested in my stories and tall tales haha.

 

[RangerX]

I remember way back when I still had auto hubs, when you backed up, you could listen for the click of the hubs unlocking. It would almost always happen in just 5 or 6 feet, Ford says 20 just to be sure.

 

[jmdirk]

Don't need to use the Warn Conversion kit. Dorman makes an OEM replacement. You can get them for $16.48 per side

There's a few option for the hubs themselves. Most people prefer the Warn ones. I've actually find a couple sts in the wreckers

 

[Mayberry1981]

I went with the Warn conversion and I am extremely happy with the swap. Manual hubs just seem more dependable to me. Just my $0.

 

[92exp4x4]

I like manual hubs because you can on occasion lock them without locking the t-case and exercise the front end. Around here we don't get snow all that often, and without use the u-joints in the axle will begin to seize up. I can drive around with the front axle engaged and not worry about the system binding up.

Sometimes all you need is low range anyway and you don't have to bother with getting in and out or backing up. Just push a button..

 

[larrydd999]

Thank you - all of you - for the information. I try to exercise the 4x4 (auto hubs) in my employer's crushed rock parking lot, and have noticed the last couple of times they haven't disengaged when they should, so I get a couple of loud thumps shortly after I exit the lot. Sounds like I need to either clean out the grease or make the switch to manual. We almost never get snow around here, but do get ice sometimes, and I want to keep the 4x4 reliable.

 

[Rhett]

Thank you - all of you - for the information. I try to exercise the 4x4 (auto hubs) in my employer's crushed rock parking lot, and have noticed the last couple of times they haven't disengaged when they should, so I get a couple of loud thumps shortly after I exit the lot.

That's what my autohubs would do, before they went out completely. I ran them like that for well over a year. They would disengage, but not right away. Watch out for excessive play in the wheels, and odd tire wear.

I once sat on a plane next to a guy from Port Angeles, WA. That water probably protects you from some of the snow -- I have relatives in San Juan Islands area and they said the same thing about snow and ice.

 

[larrydd999]

Thanks again, that's good to know - and yes the water has a lot to do with it. It moderates the temperatures in summer and winter.

 

[DV8]

I used to carry a hammer to disengage my driver's side auto hub. Swapped to mile marker manuals about 5 years ago, and only had one slight problem: The tang on the washer that sits in the groove in the spindle sheared off, allowing the nuts to loosen. I now carry a spare conversion nut kit, just in case, but have had no other issues at all.