lurker makeing first post about noise in auto hubs

[Anubis_4_99]

hey all, only my second post here but i've been a lurker for a while

im on my second x and have some questions

i just bought a 94 EB that the 4wd wasnt working, so i followed the shift motor rebuild guide and now she works flawlessly.

but i've got a few noise's to deal with. i've got a buzzing after comeing out of 4wd that will only go away after shutting the truck off a few times and driving back and forth.

and i also have a loud clunking from my driver side hub that sounds like something is binding up.

first question is obviously how bad am i lookin at and am i ok to drive in 2wd untill i can fix it?

second is what exactly do i need to check. the buzzing i've read is sometimes caused by a ball bearing that slips out of place inside the hub assembly or something... dont remember exactly what it said but that was the gist of it. as for the clunk i have no idea

it only seems to happen when i do more then a half turn on the steering wheel, i've owned a few 4wd vehicles along with another x but have never heard this noise even at full crank

also how much is it to replace the auto's with manual hubs? i had manuals on my first x and liked them, i like the autos just cause i dont have to get out but i've been reading about alot of "work when they want to" posts

 

[ghosttrain2]

You may want to verify that your auto hubs are locking.The buzzing you here may indicate a bad one(check drivers side first).
If you change over to manual hubs,you will also need the hardware kit that replaces the auto hub wheel bearing nut with a more traditional nut/washer/jam nut set up.

 

[Anubis_4_99]

im fairly certin that they are, i can feel the diffrence in the truck when i switch it over, i think the driver side just isnt unlocking

i hear the click that signals the passenger side unlocking, but dont hear it, or its very faint, from the driver side.

you know approximate cost of the whole setup needed to change it over to manual? or what all i would need to pull off a donor? i always see explorers being parted out on craigslist and could probably get it all off of one

 

[Tbars4]

...You may find this info useful...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232754

 

[nitro71]

First thing to do is take the wheel off and inspect the auto hubs. Clean them out with gas. Some people on this site recommend just soaking them in ATF after you clean them then put them on after draining them. I did it on mine and seems to work fine.

 

[mikeinri]

Bingo! Cheapest answer is clean the hubs. I don't use gas, but I assume it would work. I've used parts cleaner in the past. Get some toothbrushes and work the slides in and out to be sure to get your cleaning solution into all the nooks and crannies. After all the garbage is out, fill the hubs with ATF and allow them to soak overnight. Drain them and install without any other lubricant (IE NO GREASE!!!). 99% of the time, this will fix it. The other 1% is if they are driven too long in a stuck condition, and parts get worn. Then you should either change to manuals or get used autos out of a junker.

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[MrQ]

Cleaning the hubs is the quickest way to get them to work. Also don't jam too much grease in them. You want just enough in there to lubricate.

I cleaned out a set of manual and auto hubs. Both were caked full of nasty black grease. Gasoline works well, but don't let it sit out for too long, the gas will evaporate (don't ask how I know this) and you'll be no better off. ATF didn't seem to do squat for me. I suggest brake cleaner or something like that in aerosal form. You can use the little tube that comes with the cleaner to get out all the grease in the hard to reach places. Worked wonders.

 

[nitro71]

The ATF is there to lube em after you clean em : )

 

[mikeinri]

Right, you clean them first with a cleaner (gas, parts cleaner, carb cleaner, etc.). The ATF is for lubrication after they are clean and free of all grease.

Mike

 

[nitro71]

Be careful about smoking or other fire sources when cleaning. POOF! Big fire ball..

 

[Anubis_4_99]

cool, thanks for the info guys, im gonna get some cleaner probably this weekend and clean em out, i saw a decent ammount of grease when i changed my brake pads a couple weeks ago but figured it was supposed to be there.. been reading more and aparently it isnt... but if it isnt supposed to be then how does that much get in there?

 

[EskimoEddie]

Tossed the Autos, went with Warn

After 2 winters with my auto hubs, and not being sure whether or not they were disengaged, I UPGRADED to manual hubs. Come spring time this year ('09), I was getting horrible grinding and chirping from the front end, and read so many excellent posts here on EXForum for tips, I did a manual for auto swap. I bought the Warns from @mazon and the spindle nut conversion off of flea-bay, and did the work myself, ended up spending less than $200 for parts, and labor was "free." Now I have NO doubt that I am in or out of 4X4. Just my 2 ¢. THANKS AGAIN EX-Forum for ed-u-macating me.

 

[Mettler]

I had to change my universal joints and wheel bearings to totaly get rid of that noise

 

[Anubis_4_99]

well went and got some brake cleaner, cleaned the crap outta my hubs, about a can a piece.

pops in and out with no problems and no buzzing

thanks for the info guys

 

[MrQ]

Glad we could help! Don't forget to stop by the gift shop on your way out.