New vibration problems after hub conversion.

[jpabst]

Hey there I'm new here and need some help/ advice from anyone with a similar problem that I'm having. So I've got a '91 Explorer with a 5.5in. Superlift 33x 12.5 in. tires and stock drivetrain. Last Dec. I've had one of my balljoints done and I also had to get my hubs replaced. Instead of getting the automatic hubs replaced with the OEM type I opted to get manual hubs instead as they were cheaper and from my understanding would have more torque.
After getting the work done my four wheel drive seemed to work better but after driving it for 10 mi. through snowpacked streets and then disengaging the four wd and unlocking the hubs the ride was noticeably different and I could feel some vibration coming from the rear end. I took my ride into Les Schwab and they tried to diagnose the problem. They did take the driveline out and put it back in which didn't resolve the problem but did seem to lessen it.
I've been wanting to take it to some local mechanics to try and resolve my problem but have been to preoccupied with snow to be able to do so.( The faster I go and the more acceleration the worse it gets and I don't want to go to fast in 2wd so the mechanic can figure what I'm talking about while the roads are to snow packed)
I'm wondering if new spring packs in the rear would be a good option as the vibration has lessened somewhat since taking my hilift jack and spare out of the rear cargo area. I'm also considering a pair of body roll stabilizers that I found in a J.C. Whitney catalog. The springs are seperating in the back of the spring pack (the furthest bottom one from the second to bottom one has a gap that's about an inch). I'm also considering air bag helper springs too. I don't fully load my rig down unless I go camping so why I'm having this problem I can't figure. I don't tow with it either.
Anybody with a similar problem, if you can help me out I'd appreciate it big time! Thanks, jpabst.

 

[Tbars4]

...First for those reading the title of this thread, if the problem is in 2wd and only in the rear, it is not a hub or front suspension problem...

...My questions would be, did this start happening right away after you picked your X up from the shop that did the hub and ball joint replacement???...Did you take it back to them and complain about the new problem???..Do you get the vibration while revving your motor in neutral??

...:scratch:...My thinking is something may have happened on their test drive of the vehicle after the repairs...One thing I would do is swap the tires from rear to front to try and quickly rule out tire/wheel problem if it only vibrates while driving...

 

[JDraper]

You sure you don't have snow packed in one wheel causing it to be unbalanced?

And whointhehell told you you would have more torque by going to manual hubs?????????

 

[Drednaut]

You sure you don't have snow packed in one wheel causing it to be unbalanced?

And whointhehell told you you would have more torque by going to manual hubs?????????

yeah i agree about the toque they should have the same all your changeing is the engaigeing mech, but manual hubs are much more reliable i have had my explorer since this past april and ive gone throught 3 or 4 auto hubs from them eather stripping out or the plastic parts inside just turn into little peices
im going to manual this year before i take it out

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the modified 91-94 section.

 

[lifted93xplorer]

I'm not sure but I think jpabst means the manual hubs will handle more torque. Like JDraper said, it sounds like a wheel is way out of balance. Possible u-joint problem but I don't see how schwabby could miss either

 

[lifted93xplorer]

One other thing, if the vibration really seems less after schwabby R&R the driveline(I'm assuming the rear shaft since it only happens in 2wd) then you may have lost a weight or like Tbars4 said maybe a tech was having fun on the test drive and did something to bend the shaft a little, maybe he hit something on accident. Just remember that the slightest imbalence can cause a wicked vibration at high speed.

 

[JDraper]

When you took your driveshaft out to do the lift, did you mark the universal joint and the pinion so you put it back in the same way? If not, that could cause your vibration.