hub conversion installed wrong please help

[luciferslywalker]

My 91' explorer had the auto-to-manual hub conversion done 3yrs ago. I have had nothing but problems w/ the front end. I replaced one hub on warranty 2yrs ago but have always had rattling, clattering sounds while driving. Recently I did the front brakes, bearings, rotors and found it troublesome that the drivers side axle shaft slide in and out of the end of spindle by 2", the pass side wasn't as bad. Did some research and realized that the person that did the conversion didn't install the axle spacer or the C after the lock nut. So after 3yrs I finally put the spacer and C clip back on. The noise has gotten much worse--continuous low pitched clacky....sound. It's not the brakes, they squeak a bit but goes away after applying the brake . What sort of wear and tear wouldv'e happens by not having the Spacer and C-clip installed for 3yrs

 

[Maniak]

My guess would be spindle bearing. Thats the bearing in the spindle that the axle rides on when your in 4x4. Without the clip/spacer that axle has been moving around and may have damaged the spindle bearing.

~Mark

 

[luciferslywalker]

thank you I'll be replacing those this afternoon and I'll post back the results.

 

[Maniak]

I just thought of something that confuses me though. If your hubs are unlocked the axle shaft should not be spinning.. If they aren't spinning you shouldn't hear any noise on the spindle bearing.

But...I did notice that at least on a bw1356 (f-150 chain transfer case) that when it is cold it does turn the front shaft slowly even when your in 2wd. Once things warm up it doesn't. Soo, hopefully that is happening to you..

If not, I have no idea what the heck would be turning up front what would make the noise since you just did work on all the other things that could make the noise (btw.. make sure the brake heat shield isn't being hit by the rim or the rotor).

~Mark

 

[Foxracin]

Do the hubs have grease in them?

 

[PopRichie77]

If the hubs are damaged the engage gear may be rubbing its mating gear. From the axles moving the auto cams may be damaged. Did you get a diagram and make sure all parts are there and look normal?

 

[luciferslywalker]

If the hubs are damaged the engage gear may be rubbing its mating gear. From the axles moving the auto cams may be damaged. Did you get a diagram and make sure all parts are there and look normal?

The hubs have the definite, plastic end turn chuck warped/swollen effect going on. Both sides, even the one that was warrantied 2 yrs back.

I replaced one the drivers side spindle bearings last night. Not much of a difference in the sound quality . I'm gonna try taking the manual hubs off and putting the auto hubs back on. I have been packing them around for 3 yrs, knew the would come in handy one day ) and see if it clears up. I would explain the sound right now comparable to Driving w/ new mid-range mud terrains on the hwy windows rolled up.....doing the speed limit ! lol 60-70mph

 

[luciferslywalker]

My hubs should, when turning them in and out, kinda snap into place when "free" or "lock" position is reached. Mine just turn very freely and easy. I'm thinking maybe like all hubs I've turned they should snap into place.

 

[PopRichie77]

Don't for get to change the wheel bearing lock nuts as they are different.

 

[MrShorty]

My hubs should, when turning them in and out, kinda snap into place when "free" or "lock" position is reached. Mine just turn very freely and easy. I'm thinking maybe like all hubs I've turned they should snap into place.

I would expect them to snap into place -- I know mine do. And when I broke the one hub, one of the symptoms was it turning easily without snapping into place. It doesn't necessarily answer the question of the noise, but perhaps the hubs are stuck in Lock, which is why the noise doesn't go away when you turn to Free.

 

[Foxracin]

Just take the hub completely off put the wheel back and and drive it down the road a short ways or around the driveway and that way you can eliminate the hubs 100% if it still make the noise.

 

[luciferslywalker]

I believe I finally figured out the humming, whao'ing kinda noise coming from the front differential, axle....etc. QUESTION; Are the front sway bars frame mounting brackets identical in shape ?. Is the sway bar end linkages supposed to be the same distance away from the axle housing on both sides ?. I thinking they are. I believe that very soon after I did the work above mentioned my father used the sway bar as a tow hook bending the one frame mount bracket and pulled one side like 1 1/2" to 3" forward depending where you measure it from Someone please confirm both brackets are supposed to be the same shape. My drivers side is very ob longed compared to my passengers side. Thanks all

 

[MrShorty]

I took my swaybar off a long time ago, but I always remember it being basically symmetrical left to right. Having the swaybar bent like that could be pulling something out of alignment. Swaybar is not essential, you could simply take it off and see if that makes a difference.