4x4 trouble

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patrick4x4

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i have a 96' bronco with a 5.8 with automatic hubs but when i put it in 4wd i hear it engage but my front tires will not engage like its still in 2wd im hoping all i have to do is swap out the automatic ones to manual hubs? any suggestions why it would be doing this?

 

Seabronc

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I assume that you are familiar with the procedure to get automatic hubs engaged and disengaged. So at least one may be bad. Have you tried jacking it up after engaging 4x4 and checking to see one or both are not engaged? Jack one side up so the wheel is off the ground and turn the drive shaft by hand, if the wheel turns it is OK. Then repeat the procedure on the other side. On an open differential, (stock on a Bronco), the power goes to the free wheel, so if one fails to turn while of the ground that hub is not engaged.

Then you can either fix th e problem or convert to manual hubs.

Please only post a problem in one forum. I have deleted your duplicate post in the general Bronco forum.

Good luck,

:)>-

 

Elmo

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I had the same thing going on and doing the test as recomended found the right hub bad. Very simple test.

 
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patrick4x4

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ok ill try that and im not too familiar with truck tech so can i do this while the truck is off? as long as i put it in 4wd first or do i not even have to put it in 4wd? and i didnt mean to post it in the other one so thanks

 

Seabronc

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ok ill try that and im not too familiar with truck tech so can i do this while the truck is off? as long as i put it in 4wd first or do i not even have to put it in 4wd? and i didnt mean to post it in the other one so thanks
Putting it in 4x4 without moving the truck will not engage the hubs. In order to engage the auto hubs, you need to put it in 4x4 and drive forward about 10 feet before they engage. Once that is done, you can do the test.

Good luck,

:)>-

 

Elmo

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I did the test without the truck running and without it being in four wheel drive. The hubs dont know if the truck is in 2 or 4 wheeldrive. With the wheel off the ground turn the drive shaft by hand. A working hub will engage and turn the wheel reguardless of which direction you turn the drive shaft (forward or reverse)I turned the shaft both directions the left hub engaged and turned the wheel both directions with the right tire on the ground. When i switched to the right side (left tire back on the ground right tire off the ground) and turned the shaft I could see the axel shaft going to the right tire turn but the hub did not engage in forward or reverse. Upon disassembly the right hub was in numerous pieces. I had the 3 ***** hubs,I replaced them with a set of used 5 ***** hubs which required swapping the bearing lock nut with the double nut setup and problem solved.

 

Seabronc

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Elmo is right, I've had manuals so long I forgot about that. Turning the shaft by hand is the same as putting it in 4x4 and driving to engage them.

:)>-

 
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patrick4x4

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i did the test and i turned the front drive shaft both directions and and i say on the inside of the wheel on the axle only the left side turned. so now i know i need manual hubs, correct? where can i find those?

 

miesk5

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