automatic locking hub problem, i presume...

[filterway]

Hello all,

second attempt to get information about what i think is an automatic locking hub problem , hope i will have more success with this thread.

Here are the symptoms: driver side wheel is difficult to rotate, there is friction somewhere inside the wheel. sometime it make a clic clic cli sound. (i can post a video to listen it)

What i did to analyse the problem: jacking the front of the van and having the 2 wheel off the ground. I turned manually the driving shaft, then the passenger front wheel engaged and turned, while nothing happened on the driver side wheel. I rotated the driving shaft on the other way, passenger front wheel began to turn and still nothing happened on the driver side wheel.

After this, i turned driving shaft until it has resistance, then i turned the drive side wheel (hard to turn) then the driving shaft begun to turn but few seconds after it disengaged. (i think it's normal, same thing happened to the passenger side wheel). When i turn manually the driving shaft and in the same time i help the driver side wheel to rotate with my hand, the driving shaft is able to transfer a small amount of power but if i stop to rotate the wheel with my hand, it looks like something inside is not enough strong and it disengage.

first question: Does it can damage something if i drive the van with this friction inside the front left wheel? mY first priority is to be able to drive the van, 4wd capability is not a priority.

second question: Can i remove the automatic locking hub to eliminate friction (if it's the problem)and drive on 2wd like a normal 2wd ride?

third question: on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 is the most difficult, how difficult is to change or repair the automatic locking hub? I know manual hub it's a more reliable option on long term but i really like the way automatic lock hub works, i means no need to get out of the car, just push on 4wd button. When you alternate between paved road ans more "soft" road, i can't imagine always get out of the car and always playing on hub to put then on and off.

i would be interested to hear opinions about automatic and manual hub.

Thank you

Jerome
1988 4wd LE van
282 000 miles

[Rufus]

Sorry I can't be of help. I just got my first 4x4 and haven't had experience with them yet. Give me a year or so and I will be up to speed. Maybe some one else will chime in.

[AD2101]

second attempt to get information about what i think is an automatic locking hub problem , hope i will have more success with this thread.

Here are the symptoms: driver side wheel is difficult to rotate, there is friction somewhere inside the wheel. sometime it make a clic clic cli sound. (i can post a video to listen it)


second question: Can i remove the automatic locking hub to eliminate friction (if it's the problem)and drive on 2wd like a normal 2wd ride?

Kind of sounds similar to what happened to one side of my old auto hubs after I replaced a brake rotor. Something must not have gone back together right when I reassembled the whole thing and it made this annoying and definitely not good clicking noise. I ended up ripping the guts out of that hub so I could drive it around until I figured it out, which worked. I simplified things and threw a set of Warn manual hubs on the van and life is much better now. I think these auto hubs were more trouble than they were worth and manual hubs are dead simple, more reliable, and look better imo.


no need to get out of the car, just push on 4wd button.

Neither do I, as long as I have a friend in the passenger seat! You literally sit on top of the front wheels, you can just open the door and lean out to engage the manual hubs. :wnk: