four wheel drive problem

[explorer-nick]

i have a 93 xlt that when i engage the four, and i turn the wheel hard to either side while i am moving, it feels like the front tires are locked up and won't spin, like i am plowing with them. any idea what may cause this, i was told that i may have a bad hub, would replacing the hub help?

 

[caldi55]

I just replaced one hub and it eliminated the problem about 90% I also have to get a new pumpkin (front diff)
But yeah It would otherwise fix it 100%

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome to the site. How exactly are you testing 4x4? Are you on dry pavement, wet, or off-road? The 4x4 system in the 1st gens is a true 4x4 and shouldn't be driven on dry pavement. The system will drive ok if going straight, but will progressively get harder to to steer with the sharpness of your turns. Once when driving to work in a snow storm in 4x4 everything was ok. Once I got to the parking garage at work and tried to turn (on the dry pavement) the truck came to a stop. I had to disengage 4x4 to be able to move again.

It is also common for the U-joints at the stub axles to be toast after 100K. These U-joints undergo the most articulation and will gradually loose their lubricant which eventually allows moisture to enter (Thus rusting out the needle bearings).

Also check out the search feature. I will yield lots of hits on the topics you're looking for.