front left hub seems to be engaging on it`s own

[snafu]

:greyexp:
Ok this is how it wuzzz, re/re the lower leftballjoint last weekend , checked passenger side (right) evything OK, decided to check/repack bearings etc..both sides. ,drove my 92 xlt 4x4all week , no problems , but i noticed front right bearing could be snugged a bit more , simple job , especially since i work for a shop with mass tools etc, and a boss who seems to know everything:fire:
after tightening up on the RS bearing , let the truck down , and proceeded to go home , untill there was a big clunk clunk , (loud ) , when I put the brakes on , turns out the "radius arm bushing", had finally weaseled it`s way out martymagyvered (boss) custom made a tapered 3" rubber bushing,seemed to fit fine..while letting the hoist down ( lifts either front or rear axles completely eyelevel-one or the other) rear axle which was up in air (on hoist) slipped 1/2 way off the hoist ( big bang) ****eezz, anyways let her down with the forklift under rear bumper, took for test drive , when all of a sudden the front end totally pulled to the right , loud noise coming from the front suspension ( although it was solid with new bushing) seems like 4x4 hubs are engaging on there own ( completely automatic), released 4x4 by driving in reverse 20 meters, it will drive Ok for a bit then aloud noise like a fishing rod`s reeel while hooked onto a great white ZRRRRRRRRZRRr. but just from the drivers front,
what could i have done , put the hubs on wrong, or when my truck slid off hoist did it disconect something ?
Took the wheels off again but couldn`t find anything wrong , seems to drive a bit better , when i make a left hand turn that fishing reel sounds from the drivers side hub ( i guess), then starts to pull right (sorta hard), when I click the 4x4 button inside on dash , and it engages , feels like I`m drivin a freaking tank , pulls really hard to the right the whole front suspension seems outta wack ( on pavement).but i could be wrong Hmmmmmmmm
Help please, this is my sole means of transpo, for me and the family
thanks for the help

 

[JDraper]

First of all, Welcome to the site!! You'll find all sorts of useful info here! As for your hub problem, what you are hearing is a VERY common problem with the older Explorer hubs. The best way to fix it is to replace it with a set of manual hubs. They are much cheaper and much more reliable than the auto hubs. Do a search here on hubs, and you will probably find more info than you want to see . Good Luck!!

 

[snafu]

wow thanks for the speedy reply J...

Well Glad i found this site , members are quick to reply ....Thanks..
So i decided to take the drivers front wheel off try to figure out what`s causing me problems, ( loud "fishing reel" soundZzzzzzzzz, Coudn`t see anything wrong , hmmmmmmm so i took the passenger front right off, figured out how the automatic hub " actually " works(spring loaded).couldn`t find anything wrong , it was when i was putting the wheel nuts on that I noticed the passenger side had at least 1/4 inch of the bolt left once wheel nuts where securely fastened , (BAMMM) Also noticed , the drivers side the wheel nuts ( which wereon tight ), but alas ,,where flush , Hmmmmm
took it for a spin heard the noice once from the front left hub , , reversed the truck to disengage 4x4 , haven`t heard the noice
Hmmm I`ll re-check the drivers front hub again , I have a feeling the ring on the spindle that engages 4x4 , is the problem . Hm,
we`ll seee

 

[TSTONE]

don't know if you're still monitoring this post but you may want to read this link, i was having the same problem as your and this did the trick, hope it helps
todd

Dead Link Removed

 

[Bronco_bill]

The warn hub is so much better and I don't think there too expensive anymore. If you decide to stay with the autos let me know I have one good one from my conversion.
Bill

 

[redexplr]

sweet, now i know what to fix on mine, ive been wonderign what that sound is!!! its only once in a while, but it sounds so aweful when it does it!!!