I think I busted my hubs...

[92-XLT-Exploder]

I have a 92 XLT with automatic hubs at the front. For the past few months Whenever I would switch to 4x4 I could hear clunking sounds coming from the front of the car. This morning I had to get out of the driveway, and there was tooo much so I had to switch to 4x4, it started fine, but then there was that very loud clunk and the front wheels stopped working and now there is a just a very lound grinding noise when I try to drive in 4x4, and and a very low grinding noise when I drive in 2x4. I tryed driving in reverse for a while but that didn't clear it up, and now when I drive in 4x4 I can see the front drive shaft turning but the front wheels don't turn and there is just that lound grinding noise. Are my hubs completly dead or is there something I can do to fix them ?
Also last sepetember I did a complete overhaul of the engine, and amongst many other things I replaced the thermostat as the engine was over heating and the heater wasn't working. THat solved the problem. A few ago, my upper rad hose blew up while I was driving, and I didn't notice it immediatly as I was on the driving fast on the hwy, I stopped the car when I saw that the engine temperature was going too high. I replaced the hose, and filled up with coolant, but since then the engine temperature gauge keeps fluctuating between cold and medium, and there is very little heat coming in when I turn the heater on. Could it be that the thermostat is dead again ??

 

[Albino 94LTD]

I just switched to manual hubs cause my auto's wouldn't engage anymore but before they quit all together, I got the same Klunking sound.

When I took the auto hubs off I tried to figure out how they work, here is my assumption.

The cam on the spindle nut pushes the cam in the flange assembly out. This engages the splines in the flange asssembly with the outer splines on the axel collar and bingo, the wheel starts pulling, or should.

When I look in my Haynes book the illustration shows 2 thrust washers behind the cam assembly on the spindle nut. For some reason my EX didn't have any.

Take the flange assembly apart by removing the little clip in the flange on the bearing shaft and pull the cam and axel collar out. You will see that the cam rides on a wave spring in the flange (probably packed with grease so you will have to clean it just to see it) there too is a plastic part that may eventually wear out of tollerance.

I assumed that the worn plastic parts and the lack of thrust washers meant the outer cam wasn't being pushed far enough to engage the splines anymore. and the Klunking sound was probably the teeth in the flange and on the axel collar jumping one another.

$200-$230 for Warn manual hubs and bearing nuts will make you troubles go away. Less than the cost for one new Ford auto hub. It really is worth it!

Can't help you with the Temp guage, sorry!

 

[CHuntMD]

I just received (last Saturday infact) the Warn manual hubs w/warn conversion kit from
http://www.4x4cyberstore.com/
For under $180 delivered for my 94 OHV

Been too cold here in Wash DC to install. There are photos on that site to show how to install BTW. There are written directions on this site also.

Chris

 

[AspenX]

The warn manual hubs are cheaper and stronger. I love mine!

 

[Tony H]

I've been Posting about the same Clunking. I'm hoping it's the Hubs and not the Tran-Case. So I've been doing a lot of shopping around.

IF you like WARN HUBS these guys are the cheapest it includes the Spindle nuts that you need to swap out for the Auto ones.

http://4x4cyberstore.com/website/warn_hub_ford.html

If you don't mind going a bit off the BIG name then there is MILEMARKER's They are less expensive. Some people have given them a Thumbs-up on this site.
The cheapest I found are at RUBICON4X4.COM
Part number $428 Then you will need the Spindle kit. Rubicon is a bit pricey for them though. Try http://www.tellico4x4.com/axle/mmhu...harge might hurt though so check and compare.