4WD Help

[AZNBroncoMAN]

I'm a total newb to bronco's. Anywho, I believe my front differential blew out. I have an 80 Ford Bronco, 302, 4wd, manual hubs. Let me explain. Maybe someone can help diagnose. When I keep it in 2wd, and simply lock the hubs... I get a noise that sounds like a horribly bad wheel bearing and every 2-3 tire rotations while driving you get a horrible metal clanging noise. Now If I engage the 4wd, the car clunks and bucks. If my differential is blown out... I see there is a variety of ratios for the front differential. How do I determine the ratio? Thanks for your time.

 

[Justshootme84]

Sounds like a bad hub or bearing. You can find the gear ratio by checking the axle code on your driver's door jamb sticker. Post it or search. Being an 80 model, it's either 3.50 (I6/H6) or 3.00. Also, check your front driveshaft u-joints. teh stock units are junk, and can give you headaches, JSM84

 

[AZNBroncoMAN]

Sounds like a bad hub or bearing. You can find the gear ratio by checking the axle code on your driver's door jamb sticker. Post it or search. Being an 80 model, it's either 3.50 (I6/H6) or 3.00. Also, check your front driveshaft u-joints. teh stock units are junk, and can give you headaches, JSM84

So this doesn't sound like a blown differential to you?

 

[Roadkill]

I agree with JSM48. A hub that is not fully engaging can cause a ratcheting/grinding sound; the occasional clanging sound could be a result of it "catching" and engaging momentarily and popping loose. The bucking with the front axle engaged, is basicly the same thing just worse because power is now being applied to the axle.

That's not to say your diff is definately not damaged, but the hubs are a weaker point in the system and more likely to fail. Since they are easy to remove and inspect (and fairly cheap to replace if necesary), I would definately check the easy/inexpensive stuff before moving to the diff.