Front Diff problem??

[BeginnerXplorer]

I have a '94 Explorer XLT 4x4 with about 144,000 miles on it. I recently noticed that my 4x4 low was not engaging. The light comes on but the wheels will not engage. So I put it up on four jack stands and put it in 4x4 low. The front drive shaft is spinning (with all four wheels off of the ground) but the front tires are not. It seems to me that the problem is that the front differetial is not engaging. I'm curious what it is in there that might be the culprit. Just wanted to know what I'm looking for before I take it apart. I looked in the Haynes manual and there doesn't appear to be nearly enough info on the diffs. Can anyone help??

 

[leggo]

Well, Youre problem is most likely in the hubs, not the differential. Youre axles are moving arent they? If you are planning on doing any decent off roading, and you have to replace your hubs you should go with the warn manual locking hubs!! They have a lifetime guar. ,50 times stronger than the stock, and cost a quarter of the price of new aotos from the dealer!!! I couldnt be happier with mine.

 

[leebo]

For starters....do you mean 4x4hi or low. To get into low you do need to do a few more things. I'm sure you know that one though. To test the front though....lock it into 4x4 and jack up the truck. Try to turn the wheels with your hands and watch the driveshaft. It should turn.

It may also be that you have a ubolt broken. Good luck.

 

[rock883]

Hey leebo, the front doesn't use ubolts, thats only for leaf springs(ubolts hold the leaf spring onto the axle). You are probably referring to uJOINT, but I doubt that would be the problem. I am guessing that leggo is right about the hubs, they probably aren't getting engaged to be able to turn the wheels.

 

[leebo]

your as about as picky as I am.

 

[leggo]

OOOPSY

Woah.. calm down guys. Lets find out about your question? Four high or low? I didnt see that he wrote 4low originally!! so much for attention to detail?

 

[BeginnerXplorer]

Thank you very much to all of you who replied to my question. It appears that my first assesment was incorrect and you guys are very right. I put it back up on the jacks and placed it into four low again. The front drive shaft is turning and so is the driver side half shaft. I'm assuming that only one side is turning because it is an open differential. So it seems that it is in fact my hubs. I had heard before that they were pretty weak. As a temporary fix I am planning on taking them apart and cleaning them out. I have heard that they can get crud built up in them that will cause them not to function. This is just temporary because I am planning on going with the Warn manual upgrade. Again, thank you to everyone who replied to my question.