Front hubs engaging at random

[02-XLT]

93 Explorer Sport, 5 Speed, 4x4, 104k miles

When I back out of a parking spot and turn sharply or even sometimes when I turn sharp going forward, I get a loud pop in the front end and the truck starts pulling to one side (typically the passenger side.)

I also get a buzzing sound, not quite a grind, when it does this. If I pull over and back the truck up about 20 feet and crank the wheel left/right it seems to go away, even though I don't get another pop.

4x4 engages fine and even appears to be working correctly.

What can I do to fix this? I pulled the front hubs one day and can't tell if anything's wrong with them as I'm not familiar with this type of 4x4 arrangement. Is it possible that when I got new tires the hubs came off and they didn't get them on there at the right angle? Don't know if that matters.

School me, please!

 

[Fowlbal]

Read DeRocha's sticky, 4X4 troubleshooting guide.

 

[Themightyquinn]

if they are auto hubs, trash them and get manual locking hubs.

 

[jd4242]

if they are auto hubs, trash them and get manual locking hubs.

x2!!!!

 

[Roadrunner777]

Did it start after they changed the tires?

 

[OneofMany]

If you wanna do it right, get the dana28 hub built for Jeep rears. It looks the same, same spline but is built heavier duty and not much more expensive than the 29071 hubs
Warn 37780 'Flange mount hub lock set' for $203.61
and you will need
Warn 32720 spindle nut kit $56.80 (this kit is for both sides so u just need 1 of these and save $ over buying individual hub kits)
You may could use the special tool to tighten the bearings down- i use channel locks and have done so for many a moon without issues. I do reccomend a bearing packer and synth.grease. Packing them by hand is just not as good and OMFG its a pain.
The prices i quoted are amazon but you can get this stuff at your local 4x4 supply store.