I have a 1995 4X4 with manual transmission, manual transfer case, and automatic locking hubs. Last year I had to replace the right front hub/rotor assembly due to "wear" - It broke!. This year the automatic hub shredded, taking the same hub with it. Well, I'm putting on a new hub, Warm Premium locking hubs, and a general front axle rebuild with 4:56 gears(changing the rear too)
Is anyone else having trouble with the same hub/rotor assembly, or is this just bad luck? I have never had to replace any hub/rotor before, now 2 in a row.

 

Since before long you'll have a bunch of posts saying what crap the auto-hubs are, I'll dissent. I have auto hubs and never a problem with them save for a trashed washer I was responsible for when I did my ball joints. That's how I came by this info.

I was expressing surprise at the dealer having this obscure washer in stock, Charles Gabus in Des Moines, and the parts guy told me they carry a lot of auto hub parts in the winter because people blow their hubs out by engaging the transfer case at too high of a speed and worse, under acceleration.

He also pointed out that the owners manual erroneously says you can enage the 4X4 at highway speeds. That's his story anyway.

Myself, I've never had a problem with them and even if I did, I'd keep the autos. I just don't see the sense of having manuals when you have to stop and lock and driving with them locked isn't the best scenario either.

 

My 93 my dad bought new. And they have never had a problem but then again he didnt use it often but everytime he needed it it worked and the same goes for me. They have never failed to date

 

thanks for all replies. I need to add that the spindle is trashed too. The threads on the end are hard to describe, i'll just say ground down to the point were it is very hard to get the hub off. I replaced this last year too. Same problem, but between the bad hub a and high miles I didn't pay much attention to it, I just replaced it. This year, same problem again. After a complete rebuild, and it isn't coming easy, cheap, or quick, I hope I got it this time. The same problem, the same parts. Gotta be something I'm missing.

 

You have the good hub to use as a guide, just make sure everything is back in it's place and use a bit of discretion when hitting the 4X4 button.

One thing, you do realize that when you disengage the transfer case, you need to go about 10' in the opposite direction to disengage the hubs? I'm not sure if it will increase the wear on your hubs, but it can't hurt eh?

 

That's true, they dont engage/disengage right away. But they aren't a problem any more as I replaced them with Warn hubs. I destroyed the right hub and the replacement was 3 times the price of a set of Warn hubs, which are pretty bullet proof. You do have to get out and engage, but I'm used to it
as all the previous 4 wheelers had these hubs. I'm waiting on a new spindle before I get it all back together.

 

I run the manuals, lock em in on the first snow, unlock em in the spring. Only notice a 1-2mpg loss.

Adrianspeeder

 

When my hubs are locked with the transfer case disengaged I get a good vibration from the front end at highway speeds and it steers a bit harder, not to mention worse mileage and wear and tear on the components.

Which is why Ford doesn't recommend driving with the hubs locked and the transfer case disengaged for any extended length of time.

 

Driving with the hubs locked all the time isnt neccisary. It isnt good on your drivetrain either. For Adrian though, we can make an exception, since he has enough vehicles to drive one for each season of the year.

Either way, ditch the autos and get some Warn manual hubs.

 

yup, one for every day of the week

Darn right! Some prefer the Warn Premiums, but they are the same internals as the regular Warns, and the difference being a metal or plastic *****. The regulars serve well under my abuse.

Hmmm, sounds like you got some issues. When was the last your TTB was taken apart and cleaned up? How bout an alignment? I take them completely apart when first getting a truck with one or about 50K miles on the trucks we've had awhile. New ujoints, steering bits and fresh fluid while adding a drain plug. Oh, I also throw the Warns on there too...

Only one truck I have yet to do this for is the 84 Lariat, but with the low milage on that one, and the fact it has only gone 98 miles in two years lets me put it off.

Adrianspeeder

 

The front end is fine, when I first noticed it I called the dealer who then told me about having to back up to release the hubs.

Actually he asked me if my hubs were locked as soon as I described the problem stating specifically that my truck was not designed to be driven with the hubs locked without being in 4X4.

 

Driving with hubs locked and transfer case in 2HI shouldnt make the front end vibrate, and if it does soemthing is wrong. All this is doing is making the front axles turn and that makes the front driveshaft turn, but no power is being transferred so there should be no extra vibration.

 

From the Ford Owners Manual:

Operating in 2H with the hubs locked increases fuel consumption, noise, vibration and wear.

As I stated, there is nothing wrong with the front end of my truck, the vibration and noise I described is normal when the hubs are locked in 2H, it isn't present when the hubs are locked in 4H or 4L.

It isn't a loud noise or a huge vibration, just annoying enough to let you know the hubs are locked. My wifes vehicle performs the same way and has the same disclosure in her manual.

 

I have NO extra vibration when driving in 2wd with the hubs locked. Granted, it does decrease gas mileage.

How exaxtly would you know if you got a vibration in 4wd or not? With the driveshaft and axles turning with power behind them, there is a lot of extra vibration

 

That's great, unfortunately Ford says it's normal and I know a few other Ford owners who have noticed the same thing.

I know, it's that simple. Since you have no legitmate reason to question that, it's obvious you only want to argue and prove to the world how superior your intellect is. I suggest you save it for someone who might actually buy into it, I don't.