Automatic hubs Bad or Differential, maybe both!?

[Roninseattle]

We have a 94 Bronco, Automatic Transmission 5.0 XLT. That's been acting weird lately and now does not work at all.

This is a long post, sorry but it's 3 incidents that I think are all important to know

We first drove up a steep grade last year for 10 minuts (4x4engaged) and when we got back down to the bottom of the mountain. The car started to make squeaking and grinding sound (High pitched coming from the front end) then we lost power and grinded to a halt as if the breaks were thrown on.

The car then would not go into Drive only 2nd and reverse. We went to a local shop driving slowly on the shoulder. We explained the situation to him he said it sounds like the hubs are partly engaged. He backed the car up for about 50 feet (longer then we tried) and the car worked fine after that no problems. We then had a transmission check-up and they said all was well. We were told “It sounds like the auto hubs they fail all the time, don

 

[wtfdissux]

just a thaught did the trans shop you took it to drive it and did the problem ocur for them does not sound like hubs as they cant auto lock if the transfer case is not engaged also what tranny does it have am guessing aod or e4od will run this by the guys at work tomarrow as they have made a good amount of money on ford tranny problems

 

[Roninseattle]

just a thaught did the trans shop you took it to drive it and did the problem ocur for them does not sound like hubs as they cant auto lock if the transfer case is not engaged also what tranny does it have am guessing aod or e4od will run this by the guys at work tomarrow as they have made a good amount of money on ford tranny problems

It was at ford dealler for the annual check up. They did the whole work up and said the transmission was fine. They drove it to check another problem we have were the car (on the higheway mostly) at random 2 or 3 times in a long highway trip intermintlny just reves up high then drops back often surgeing foward when it slips back. They could never duplicate that problem but at the time of the check Tjhere were no sysnthoms till july a year later. Note it all started after going up this really steep mountain.

 

[wtfdissux]

did not have the chance today to show your post to the guys at the tranny shop I work in but did manage to get this much it is NOT your hubs even if manuals are locked the transfer case must be engaged for them to do anything and if manual backing up .... not entirely sure but since they dont do anything in reverse dont think even with the case engaged they would be it am leaning more towards the case or tranny what tranny is it and is the 4x4 manual or electric engagement?

 

[Roninseattle]

did not have the chance today to show your post to the guys at the tranny shop I work in but did manage to get this much it is NOT your hubs even if manuals are locked the transfer case must be engaged for them to do anything and if manual backing up .... not entirely sure but since they dont do anything in reverse dont think even with the case engaged they would be it am leaning more towards the case or tranny what tranny is it and is the 4x4 manual or electric engagement?

Its the push button engaged or was no its got warn manual hubs

I caved in and brought it to the shop. They said it's the transfer case and it was bone dry. They also said they think the "afterstop" ca-chunck is coming from bad break drums on the rear tires. That work I can do for sure myself, unless the rotor needs to be resurfaced.

Also, I found this artical about the transfer case from Ford.

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One more question, we're getting a used and certifed case, so what can we expect to pay for it and the labor. 1,500??

 

[wtfdissux]

that's about the same answer I got at work today and price is about average but you may be able to save by getting a case from a scrap yard and have your local tranny shop rebuild it shop around might save a few hundred and the brake drum part doesn't sound right tho thinking more like U-joints or a loose rear pinion or even the case itself where did it leak if was from one of the out put seals would be a likely suspect as bad drums would give you other problems like low pedal or pulsation in the pedal or if they were grabbing maybe

 

[Roninseattle]

that's about the same answer I got at work today and price is about average but you may be able to save by getting a case from a scrap yard and have your local tranny shop rebuild it shop around might save a few hundred and the brake drum part doesn't sound right tho thinking more like U-joints or a loose rear pinion or even the case itself where did it leak if was from one of the out put seals would be a likely suspect as bad drums would give you other problems like low pedal or pulsation in the pedal or if they were grabbing maybe

They swaped out the transfer case, Said the hubs went bad due to the transfer case and that the transmission now is bad due to the horriable dammge in the transfer case. I havent gotten the details back yet to what is wrong on the tranny, Im waiting for a call on a tranny estimate.

But, now its getting to that point were the reairs are probley more then the value of the car. Were 400 in to the hubs probley 1,700 into the transfer repaire. Now the Tranny. Im worried it's going to be more the blue book on the car. We can't just sell it now with 2 g in reapirs done yet there's probaly 1500 more for the tranny. Damm I'm not sure what to do. The cars a 94 we bascily will have to keep driving it for 5 years more years to get our repirs worth.

Add repiars to this stuff should raise the value though i think. If we do sell but whats the point now.

Ahh im just venting now...anyways thanks for the help!!

 

[miesk5]

Were 400 in to the hubs - may I suggest another shop? That is way too much for a hub swap; figure on $250.00 tops at 4x4 shop..and much less for diy w/kit. - Warn Premiums can be bought @ ebay for $40.00 - $65.00 & shipping. if conversion kit is needed, add another $10 - $15

Said the hubs went bad due to the transfer case; need another opinion on this too...those auto hubs do go bad despite good maintenance.

Know where you're at, been there many times when in Mil and had < $ than could live well on and maintain vehicle.

look for a 4x4 shop or a Ford specialist in your area and get quotes on all above; have to ask the Bronco crew in your area for best shop to seek help on this and in future or hang around in here to get DIY info to save $ for the family.

GL!