Loud bang when 4x4 is on, also!

[derangedone]

Hi I have the same exact issue as but I have decided to start new thread also. I have a 92' STX 4x4 and I would say it bangs like this about every 20 seconds or so traveling at 40 mph or so, actually it is pretty scary! It sounds like someone is hitting my wheels with a sledge hammer. I am also suspecting the hubs to be the culprit, I wasted my entire morning yesterday cleaning out the hubs to the best of my ability and the vehicle is doing the same exact thing. I tried to climb a steep snowy hill Saturday and I heard the ZEEEEEEE sound and the front tires were not rotating, sometimes the bang moves to the pass side must most of the time it stays on the drivers side, I don't think it is a ujoint or cv issue but I guess it could be? but I can drive like 20 to 40 seconds everytime before it does it again. varying speed does not seem to matter but I don't think I would want to drive 55 with it doing that I can feel the front left of the truck lift a little bit when it bangs. Can you tell if a autohub is shot by looking at it? is so what should I look for? I read the 4x4 trouble shooting guide and heard someone say something about a spring when ya pull the piece up and down when ya clean them?????? well I removed the c-clip and pulled the piece out of the hub and I see no spring! I am not talking about the c-clip way down inside the spline I am talking about the one at the top that is very easy to remove, I see nothing that looks broke or worn badly but there is no spring action on that piece that has the 3 dicks that go into the part on the trucks locking mechanism. Just by looking at them I cant tell how they are suppose to work for sure. Thanks guys

 

[derangedone]

I see the spring action now, but see no wear or issues with it

 

[RangerX]

Maybe check this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232754

Does it only do it when you're in 4wd?

 

[derangedone]

Yes RangerX it only does it when engaged in 4WD, I just removed the hubs and took screw drivers and pushed each mechanism up and down both moved the same and then I took the truck for a drive and it is still kicking like a mule

 

[RangerX]

Everything I said in Karpov's thread applies here, too.
Auto hubs don't last forever. Yours have lasted longer than most. You're going to have to get manual hubs at some point anyway, so assume it's bad auto hubs and get some manuals. Done deal!

 

[derangedone]

They are on the way RangerX, we'll give it a try, thanks

 

[DeRocha]

Just to be clear you aren't using 4x4 on dry roads correct? The Explorers 50/50 4x4 system will have the exact symptoms you describe if you drive on dry pavement. The bang is when the torque wind up at the wheels becomes so great that the hub and or wheel slips and bangs.

If you are using 4x4 on wet or non paved roads then you U-joints can be an issue. I read where you said you don't think the U-joints are bad, but they can behave and feel like a broken hub. Do the symptoms get worse with steering input (the more steering input = more severe banging)? The U-joints (especially at the stub axle @ the steering knuckle) undergo a fair amount of articulation when 4x4 is engaged.

 

[derangedone]

No not driving on dry roads, I suspect the hubs cause when I try to climb a snowy hill the hubs will go ZEEEEEEE and the front tires don't pull. Driving down the snowy road the bang seems to change from side to side but mostly the driverside front wheel and it sounds the most violent. turning doesn't seem to make it any worse. thanks

 

[derangedone]

Also it seems to make the same bang when I turn the 4x4 off and the hubs unlock.

 

[derangedone]

Still waiting on the hubs, I will let everyone know if it corrects the problem when I get them installed. Thanks for the help

 

[derangedone]

Hi, received the hubs yesterday, I got the Mile Marker ones, the bang is Gone and the four wheel drive is working. I am however getting a whine sound I do not think it is the lockouts I think possibly the front axle lube needs checked or transfer case, who knows the 4-wheel drive has not moved in this truck much for a very long time. I am going to check all the fluids and see if that solves anything?