Front end problem

[Cocobum]

Hey, I just have a few stupid questions about the front axle of a 96 Eddie Bauer, Ihave a with push button 4wd and low range and auto locking hubs. First off i got stuck while driving through a mud trail in 2wd, threw it in 4wd low range but only my back wheels got power (3wd in reverse, don't ask how).

To engage in 4wd i put the truck in neutral and push it to 4wd low range(can hear it locking in) and then i shift into drive, driving forward i start to hear this loud clunking noise that sounds like its not locking completly.

A friend told me to take apart the hubs and to regrease them, but another mechanic that i know told me that the hubs in the front stay locked all the time and the locking action takes place in the transfer case. The mechanic also told me that i don't have positrack in the front end, a limited slip

So after all that, how do i fix my 4wd? can i actually get 4wd with a limited slip front end? and where does it actually lock into 4wd the hubs or the transfer case.

I know these are stupid questions but im alitlle inexperianced myself, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Seabronc]

No stupid questions in this forum. You may get some stupid answers though /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> .

Unless the design has been changed in the late 90's the hubs should not be locked at all times. Auto hubs should unlock by reversing direction and driving about 10 ft. Check you owners manual or the sticker on you visor.

You can replace your open differential with a limited slip differential. Or if you want real solid 4WD then look into lockers that you can control from inside. that way they act as an open diff unless locked. The dirving problem there is that lockers don't like much other than strait lines. they are pretty much for off road slow moving stuff, or you are stuck is a good one too .

Don't just jump into it, look at all the possible arrangements and the pros and cons of each before you make any changes.

Good luck,

>-

 

[bluesman17]

Im guessing its the hubs, because those seem to fail before anything else.

 

[DesertDoc]

Be very careful about taking apart hubs, manuals are a pain, automatic could be a nightmare.

 

[Cocobum]

This is still my daily driver so i don't want to change anything, just fix what i have. Also what are the differences between an open diff, limited slip, and a locking diff?

 

[bluesman17]

Automatics are pretty simple to take apart just remember what order things go in. Open means only one tire gets power at any given time, limited slip means if one wheel starts spinning too much the other will kick in at the same time, a locked is both tires get the same amount of power all the time.