Just can't seem to grip.

[wadeseward]

I start off saying sorry, and have scoured the site (Small attention span)

1992 Explorer, 4-door 4x4 with Auto Hubs tons of miles, Cost=Dozen beer

I have read and lurked on why and how to make 4x4 work. When I got the wagon the light on the dash did not light and there was no clicking. I removed shift motor to find plastic ring broke in a Million and replaced with a piece of fuel hose. Dash light now lights up and clicking is heard< both in four low and High. I had sprayed more Brake Kleen in my Auto hubs than economically allowed but went with it any ways. I still have no front wheel spin while engaged. Spent the afternoon playing with the spot on the 4x4 shift motor and still got nothing. I will go and try to see if front hubs will engage by spinning the axle< not shaft to see if it will catch. Just looking for any tid bits other than "Auto hubs are Crappy"

Thanks Clay

 

[wadeseward]

Update

???

Tried the spin of the front shafts when in 4x4 and they wouldnt turn. Took it for 2 tours around block thinking maybe it was just stubborn.

So i have...
1.Replaced plastic washer with rubber hose= my light in dash now working and clicking
2.Cleaned Auto hubs. Brake Kleen (not much gunk there to pull out)
3. Tried moving the placement of the cap of the selector motor= no change in the light or the sound/clunking/engaging of the motor.
4. donkeyed with the drive shaft as well as the wheel shafts to see if the spin when in 4x4 (as lit on the dash), I didnt however try to spin them in 2H. Will try that tommorow afternoon.

Hopefully this is an easy fix and I can be very greatful to someone tommorow.

 

[94Sport5Sp]

Hi:

A couple of simple tests to try.

With a front wheel off the ground, vehicle well blocked, turn the wheel axle. If the auto hub is working then they should engage and turning the axle will turn the wheel. Try both front wheels in case one hub works and the other does not. Remember, changing direction will disengage the hub.

Assuming the hubs engage, then remove the shift motor and manually change the transfer case setting to engage 4h or 4l. This will tell you that the transfer case is working.

Trust that helps
PaMnd

 

[jd4242]

???

Tried the spin of the front shafts when in 4x4 and they wouldnt turn. Took it for 2 tours around block thinking maybe it was just stubborn.

So i have...
1.Replaced plastic washer with rubber hose= my light in dash now working and clicking
2.Cleaned Auto hubs. Brake Kleen (not much gunk there to pull out)
3. Tried moving the placement of the cap of the selector motor= no change in the light or the sound/clunking/engaging of the motor.
4. donkeyed with the drive shaft as well as the wheel shafts to see if the spin when in 4x4 (as lit on the dash), I didnt however try to spin them in 2H. Will try that tommorow afternoon.

Hopefully this is an easy fix and I can be very greatful to someone tommorow.

You cant spin the shaft when its it 4x4.try in 2wheel and it should spin then lock the hubs

 

[Tony H]

Here's the way it works. When the transfer case is locked . It turns the Front Driveshaft. The front driveshaft goes into the front axle causing the front axles to turn when the Front axles turn it is supposed to lock the hubs.

First test:
See if transfer case locks in and rotates the Driveshaft. Have someone look at the shaft as you slowly drive by.

If the front Drive shaft and axle does turn, then raise the whole car off the ground put it in drive and see if all shafts turn and at least one side (drivers side) front wheel turns.

 

[backfrmcolorado]

All ideas are great...but check the 4x4 cam. Its the first thing you see when you pull the auto hubs off the truck. There is supost to be locking teeth on them. I went thru the same process you have only to find out my 4x4 cams were striped out. When the 4x4 is engaged and you move forward or backward the hubs will engage and ride up the cam. They are supost to lock in at the cam tooth. If the teath are worn off all that is happening is the auto hub is rideing up the cam to the teeth and falling right off the other side.

 

[wadeseward]

Trying

I have been to busy with work to try these things I appreciate the help, I will hopefully get a chance tonight and will let you know how I make out.

 

[wadeseward]

Still no

I tried all of the suggestions, to find that I think it is the fault of the driver's side hub. I lifted the front end and spun the front drive shaft while it was not engaged in 4x4. it spins the front axles but not the wheels. I removed the wheels and cleaned the hub assembly again. I then spun the front axle of the passenger side which locked in the tire started to spin. The same was not true on the driver side. it would just make clicking noises. I have a neighbor that has had an explorer parked for years and he let me take of the hub assembly of his unit, drivers side of his was different than mine as well as broke. Passenger side was the same but it still will not engage, as I compare the one that will engage and the one that wont they spline gear in the hub seems to be lower on the hub that won't engage. I am going to removed the drivers side and get the correct snap ring pliers to get a good clean and try it again.

If you got anymore suggestions please let me know, I apologize for the long wind

 

[Tony H]

I tried all of the suggestions, to find that I think it is the fault of the driver's side hub. I lifted the front end and spun the front drive shaft while it was not engaged in 4x4. it spins the front axles but not the wheels. I removed the wheels and cleaned the hub assembly again. I then spun the front axle of the passenger side which locked in the tire started to spin. The same was not true on the driver side. it would just make clicking noises. I have a neighbor that has had an explorer parked for years and he let me take of the hub assembly of his unit, drivers side of his was different than mine as well as broke. Passenger side was the same but it still will not engage, as I compare the one that will engage and the one that wont they spline gear in the hub seems to be lower on the hub that won't engage. I am going to removed the drivers side and get the correct snap ring pliers to get a good clean and try it again.

If you got anymore suggestions please let me know, I apologize for the long wind

Put the passenger side hub on th edrivers side and see if turning the axle will get teh wheel to turn too.

 

[westfield]

Mine did t he same...got rid of the junk auto hubs and replaced them with Mile Markers. All is well, no muss no fuss...Mile Markers are cheaper than Warn Hubs...I don't do heavy off roading so the Mile Markers will be just fine for my application. Real easy to replace yourself...
this is my third 4x4 that came with auto hubs (chevys and fords ) all crapped out.

 

[Tony H]

Mine did t he same...got rid of the junk auto hubs and replaced them with Mile Markers. All is well, no muss no fuss...Mile Markers are cheaper than Warn Hubs...I don't do heavy off roading so the Mile Markers will be just fine for my application. Real easy to replace yourself...
this is my third 4x4 that came with auto hubs (chevys and fords ) all crapped out.

me too.. went with Mile Markers (#428) as well.
Auto Hubs are not good when you really need 4WD. They all Disengage momentarily as you go from forward to rvers and Vise Verse. You don't need that when trying to rock a car of ao a ditch.

 

[wadeseward]

Found it

The problem appears to be a plastic washer type dealy that is in the auto hub, it was been worn down on the drivers side as well as another peice that has 3 humps on it, gonna see if I can find some cheap manual's, auto wrecker wants $70 for a single auto hub with no guarantee. I will try to flip the plastic wahser and see if that works.

 

[jd4242]

Just replace them with manual hubs,not even worth all that work or headache they have been causing you!!