What is that banging???

[blinkgi]

A while ago I was four weelin' up a small hill and my front left side made a loud bang. The next time I went weelin, the front hub broke. So I hit the junkyard and got one of a 92. It worked about 2 times before the banging came back. When in 4lo or 4hi, it still bangs, weather slow or fast, dosent matter. When it bangs, it feels like the front of it hops/ jars up. So, Iam wondering if I busted a tooth of my pumpkin, u-joint, or if I bought a bad used hub. Anyone have any ideas?

Oh yeah it's a 91sport

 

[mrboyle]

Sounds like you either busted a u-joint or a tooth off the ring gear. I'd start with the u-joints in the front end. Look for anything that doesn't look normal. Stick a scerwdriver between the knuckle and the joint and pry aginst the joint (don't try to force it out, just pry on it) and look for any side to side or up and down movement in the joint. If the joints look ok it more than likely the ring gear.

 

[blinkgi]

How would you go about fixing it?

 

[mdrut]

It is a pretty good sized job..You would probally be better off taking it to the shop..Old u-joints can be stubburn, and when you are not equiped with the right tools, it makes it that much harder..

 

[sink]

The worst deal of the front U-joints is that it is a hundred times easier for a DIY job to change them when the axel is out. However, it takes alot of teardown to get the axle out. The u-joint spider is removed by taking out c-clips and punding the bearing cap out one side, then a combination of tapping back the other way, and removing spider. (books say "tap the bearing out with a brass drift") I Usually use a stubby 1 inch round steel rod and a sledge. You can see how this would be hard while installed. You may be lucky and not rusted too bad? Check first.

 

[Henry]

Originally posted by blinkgi
A while ago I was four weelin' up a small hill and my front left side made a loud bang. The next time I went weelin, the front hub broke. So I hit the junkyard and got one of a 92. It worked about 2 times before the banging came back. When in 4lo or 4hi, it still bangs, weather slow or fast, dosent matter. When it bangs, it feels like the front of it hops/ jars up. So, Iam wondering if I busted a tooth of my pumpkin, u-joint, or if I bought a bad used hub. Anyone have any ideas?

Oh yeah it's a 91sport

I'd look at the hub(s) if I were you. The effect you're describing is exactly what I had when my hub went bad. If the hubs are still engaged but your truck's in 2wd and you corner sharply do you still hear or feel anything wrong?

 

[blinkgi]

Ussually when it does this I have it in 4x4 and Iam pretty sure that the hubs are unlocking. When I go around a corner it is regular.....

I have taken out the rear drive live, so I know how to do the u-joints, but thanks.

I took it to a 4x4 shop and they said it sounded like the third member. Junkyard has one for $225, but nno way can afford that now, but i want to go weelin' again. I herd that you can get an overhaul kit for it, but am not sure. Do you have any ideas on if you can and where?