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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
i have a '91 eddie bauer i want to convert to manual hubs. i've read the tech tip and it say if this can be done for push-button 4x4. i would like to know if there is anything i have to do, before i start the process.
If you have not done one before, alot about 2 hours on each side just to be safe. The process is fairly simple, follow the instructions in the repairs manual to remove the auto hubs and follow the instructions from WARN if you're using them for the installation of the manual hubs.
Tools needed to remove auto hubs:
1. spindle nut socket for auto hubs
2. magnet pen
3. small flash light (to make sure lock pin is not jammed)
Tools needed to install WARN manual hubs:
1. spindle nut socket for manual hubs - completely different from the auto
2. a torque wrench
I may have missed some other useful tools here so please chime in guys/gals.
It's a super easy repair but just one note. The whole torque wrench thing is a bust. Why? Well, one of the torque's is so light it's measured in foot INCHES. So you're going to need a specail wrench. This measurement is to put tension on the front wheel bearings. This is sort of a feel kinda thing if you don't use the wrench. Maybe use your other side before to take it apart too to compare. Assuming the other side was done right.
The other toque is something like 225 foot pounds which is just to say they want you to make it as tight as you possibly can. This is for the locking nut on the hub. I couldn't find a wrench that went that high. So I just put my body weight (185 lbs) on my 14 inch long socket wrench. I figured that was pretty close. I did this repair in the woods in Tahoe so I wasn't showing the **** tendencies that some may when doing this swap but I haven't had any problems.
I used an electric impact wrench to tighten the nuts and they never came loose. The first few times, I used my weight but did not have the leverage so it was coming loose quite often.
I did the conversion on my '92, and I didn't need a spindle nut socket for the removal. Since you are replacing the spindle nut anyways, a pair of Channel Locks will work (I HATE buggering nuts, but since they don't get used again, why buy the tool??)
I would also get a couple of cans of spray on degreaser or Brakleen. It helps a lot when trying to get the keys out of the original hubs.
