wierd grinding noise

[elibenson]

The driveshafts do tend to freewheel a bit. I've never had one get stuck on me. I had my brother lock them and forget to unlock them manually once. I drove around for several days trying to figure out if I had a hub bearing going out. (D'oh!)
eli benson

[fordmugg]

yeah it was wired 4wd was off hubs on auto and i would spin the tire and my friend couldnt even hold the drive shaft it was stuck locked in i guess ...well got it unstuck and it seems fine now ....i even tested it out by putting it in 4wd and taking it off and it worked fine so i dont know how it got stuck

[elibenson]

I would suggest pulling off the locking hubs and oil them. It only takes a pair of needle nosed pliers. There is a simple spring ring that retains them. Be careful not to mess up the o-ring on the hub. I just turn them on their ends and fill them with engine oil. Then work the manual lock a few times, and get it working more freely. Drain and then reinstall. It seems to make them more smooth. The hubs work on vacuum. A vacuum is pulled on the hub cavity, and atmospheric pressure pushes a plunger in the hub and forces several splined pieces to mesh, locking the hub. If you lose vacuum, (or shut off the 4x4) a return spring pushes the plunger back. If the splines bind due to torque, it might get stuck on. A benefit to oiling the hubs is that it will help seal any air gaps that might exist in the hub/plunger system.
eli benson

[fordmugg]

cool thanks i'll get them oiled tomorrow ....thanks for all the info

[zach_freeman00]

and if they are auto change them out for somthing like warn hubs the auto is ok i guess but i have never had any luck with them when i wanted them to lock they wouldnt and when i wanted to be unlocked the wouldnt but that is just a suggestion

[fordmugg]

Originally Posted by zach_freeman00

and if they are auto change them out for somthing like warn hubs the auto is ok i guess but i have never had any luck with them when i wanted them to lock they wouldnt and when i wanted to be unlocked the wouldnt but that is just a suggestion

i know i was thinking about warn hubs ....but the only thing holding me back is i like when i just need a quick 4wd to get out of somthing i dont have to get out ........