[GeeAea]

I'm sure someone here can offer me insight into this problem. My son just bought (actually dad helped him just a little) an 83 Bronco (for $400!!!!). During the road test, which included a short 4wd test in the rough, the motor was quiet (302) the trans was fairly smooth (3speed), and no clunks or steering/drive "pulls, vibes or shudders" ..... ....so.....besides some model typical rust....it was a go. Well GAjr took dad on an adventure in a large snow covered field (actually a parking area for a local recreational grove and wanted to show dad his Bronco's abilities in the deep. Well after 45 minutes of being semi stranded in 1.5 ft fresh powder on top of froze over 1 ft packed .....add a drift here and there .....(you get the picture?).....dad had to take command of the extraction. While blazing my new trail the thing worked flawlessly..........alternate wheels spun on opposite corners depending on whether I was going forward or backward. Back 3 ft......forward 4 ft.......back 10 ft......forward......12 ft.....hit rutted snow pile from vehicle with narrower track than Brono (probably a Jeep)......play there for a few minutes...etc (a lot of fun .....well it did give me and my boy some "quality time").
Yes....yes....I know...the question! Well anyway he went to engage the 4wd the next day .......and the right front shaft just spun. He had never unlocked the hubs from the day before and had run in 2wd the rest of the time.

What makes a locking hub work 100% (when it does work) .........but not work 100% of the time (as in everytime)? I've never seen the internals of one of these (or the frontend of any 4wd for that matter but I have a feeling that I'm about to get my feet wet) so I have no idea what is the likely cause of its "part time" failure.

I went to the Ford/Bronco board......but no one seemed interested (or maybe there just aren't that many people who frequent it) .....but I'm sure that there are many of you here that have "been there .....done that".....so please - lend my your hard earned smarts.

Thanks in advance...

GeeAea


Figures don't lie ....... but liars sure do figure.

 

[JEEPN]

The hub uses a set of splines to link the wheel and axle together. It's really pretty simple, once you take it apart you'll see. Just unbolt the hub, make sure you collect everything, put it in the order it came out, clean, then grease and reassemble in the opposite order. You don't even need to take the wheel off. The piece you screw in on the hub moves a collar, there is a spring to make sure it doesn't float around. Up here in the cold, grease can be a problem, and when a hub is greased too much, it'll stick, not wanting to move or work right. That's probably all it is. When I started out, rebuilding a hub took me about an hour, now I'm down to about 15 minutes. Instead of using grease in the cold, I use ATF when I reassemble the hub, it still flows in the cold and provides the lubrication it needs. I repack with grease in the spring for the warmer weather. An IH mechanic friend showed me this trick back in '92 (or was it earlier), and I've had no problems. Good luck with your hubs, and I'm glad you're spending quality time with your son, it's rare these days. BTW, it's not uncommon to blow a hub during heavy wheeling, you might want to look for a spare to keep on hand, just make sure to get the left and right hubs as they're different/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif.

PS. That was a joke, they're the same for both sides, unless you have a right hand drive vehicle, then I make no guarantees./wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

JEEPN
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled!
GM151/SM465/NP205/7" Lift/33" Swampers/D44's F&R 4.10's & Lockrights

 

[Scott_CJ8]

Jeepn speaks truth. Not that much to it. On a side note, you mentioned that your son left the hubs locked and drove around in 2wd. That's O.K. it won't hurt anything to do that, except maybe your gas mileage. Just don't do the opposite and leave them unlocked and go into 4wd. Happy Jeepin to both you and your son! -Can't wait for my daughter to start driving, she wants a Jeep too!

Keep on Jeepin'
Scott

 

[Guest]

if you have a warn or factory ford hub, the clutch ring can be installed upside down. the grooved side of the clutch ring must be installed facing outward or spontanious disengagement can occur. also make sure the pressure spring in the cap is not damaged. the bearing in the spindle can be worn and cause the stub shaft to occilate. this will also lead to dissengagement as well.

dan

/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.giflet it snow/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

 

[GeeAea]

Thank you all! I expect much time being put into this vehicle. It is, after all, a $400 beater. Heck ......if I get nothing more out of it then spending (many) hours with my son fixing what he breaks.......it'll be worth it. You never get to see much of a teenager once they get a licence and/or a girlfriend......he has both.....so I'll count my blessings....in whatever package they come in.

GeeAea



Figures don't lie ....... but liars sure do figure.