Hubs shot, 4x4 not working...

[Cisko]

I recently picked up a 93 XLT for $3,500. Its a solid vehicle, just dirty. Only thing thats broke is the 4x4. I have the not so good puch button system. I push the 4by high button and nothing, no noises, just nothing. Same with the 4LO. Well today i got the left front tire re-balanced, but when the mechanic (a friend of mine)took the lugs off, he burned himself they were so hot. Same goes for the hub-cap thing and the inside of the rim and all-all burning hot. Not happy about this, i decided to have a peak inside the hub to see whats going on. Well, theres just broken pieces of stuff all in the hub-tons of grease and tons of pieces. Same with the right side. Well, my question is, do you think that the 4x4 isnt working because of the blown hubs? Even though the hubs are shot, i should still hear the motor try to engage right? Well I dont. So any ideas on what is keeping the 4wd from working aside from the hubs-maybe a blown engagement motor?

The help is much appreciated, Shawn

 

[JYoung]

cisko,
As for hubs go for warn manual hubs.They are cheaper than new auto's .Look at bottom of page under explorer tips.I love the manuals.The 4x4 not engaging,try disconnecting your batt. This sometimes works.If not ,it may be the transfer case motor.
check out this site
Dead Link Removed

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jyoung 92 sport 33-12.50

 

[A91EBexplorer4x4]

Cisko,i agree 110% with Jyoung on the Warn manual hubs. althought i think Warn is your only choice. they are easy o instal and might take about 30-45 minutes i guess for a novice to do it himself. as far as the swith and the motor on the transfer case. well maybe the people you bought it from knew the 4x4 didnt work and they disconected the swith so that the person test driving it wouldnt be able to try and engage it. just a thought. id start at the switch anyways, that would be the cheapest part anyway. sometimes people get away with taking the motor off and just giving it a good cleaning. Good luck , Later

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1991 Eddie Bauer 4x4
K&N drop in filter, Modified air box.
3" lift 31x10.50's
Dunlop R/V's.
Sway bar quick disconects disc.http://www.freeyellow.com/members8/91fordexplorer/index.html

 

[Cisko]

Yea, I'm gonna go with the warn manual locks. For the record, I bought the Explorer at a ver reputable dealer (the local for dealership, which is on like 24 acres of land-its big)! Anyways, it was a wholesale unit that they were going to sell to one of the local little used car lots. I was fully aware of the possible problems i may face. I was thinking though, it may not be the engagement motor. When the 4by high button, the light doesnt light up and the light inthe dash display doesnt light either. Now if the motor didnt work, wouldnt both the lights still come on atleast or flash or something? Just a thought.
Shawn

 

[92eddie]

Here's a quick test you can do.
In the back, left of the truck, (where the stock jack is kept), there's a switch relay for the 4x4. Take the connectors off of it. Turn your key on, then press the little white button on the relay. If the LED blinks, then its the transfercase motor. If it stays on, it's the relay.
If it's the motor go here Dead Link Removed
They have alot of info on rebuilding the motor. Although it didn't work for me. I think mine is beyond repair.

Hope this helps.

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92 Eddie Bauer 4X4
30 X 9.50 BFG AT KO's
K&N Drop In
Modified Airbox
Flowmaster Cat back system
Bosch 4+ Platnium Plugs
Accel Extreme 9000 wires
Rancho 5000 Shocks
Pioneer CD Player
Kenwood 250W Amp
2 JL Audio 10" Subs

Future wishlist:
2" Body Lift
2"Suspension Lift
33 X 10.50 BFG AT KO's
Computer Chip
JL Headers

 

[Cisko]

Thanks for the tip 92Eddie. Ill try that out. Just for the heck of it, anybody have a guess on what it would cost for new hub bearings for both front hubs?

 

[Cisko]

Well, i tested that relay, and when i hit the 4x4 high button on the dash, i heard that thing (that has the white button and LED light on it) clicking. Now you said that the relay was bad if the light stayed on. Now do you mean that the engagement sensor is bad, or just that relay tester thing is bad?

 

[Ira]

Cisko,

Before going to a lot of trouble, try the simple thing first. Disconnect the battery for about 10 minutes and then reconnect it. Many times, the motor on the transfer case will "forget" where it is in relation to the rotation. By disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it, the motor will "learn" it's current location and adjust accordingly. This does not work all the time, but it is worth a shot. It doesn't cost you anything.

BTW, I think you have to have the tranny in neutral or park (can't remember which one for sure) and have your foot on the brake to engage 4x4 low, or at least with mine you do.

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Ira
91 XLT 4x4

You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.

 

[Cisko]

Yea, I already tried that Ira, but thanks for the tip anyways and yes, you have to be in neutral to engage the 4x4 low. I have a question for all. Any idea why it is that when i push the 4by high light, i get a click in the back, but non of the 4x4 lights on the dash work? Ive tested all the lights and they all work. Just another problem.

 

[TPLYNCH]

If the motor in the transfer case is not engaging, then I don't think the lights will come on. If the relay is clicking, then I believe you problem is with the motor. As Ira said, sometimes the motor forgets where it is. Other times it just gets out of alignment. The motor (and connections) also get dirty, mainly from lack of use. There are also 2(?) wires that run to the T/F case. Sometimes, these will come off. All of these can cause your problem. If you are mechanically inclined, best thing to do is follow the instructions on the Singleton site listed above and work through all these possiblities. Good Luck

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Tom Lynch
99 XLS