Automatic hubs on 1990 Ford

dhermesc · Nov 14, 2016

What normally "fails" on the automatic hubs Ford put on their pickups and Broncos in the 1980s through the 1996 models? I have been under mine and it appears the hubs are "locked in" all the time. The truck seemed a little doggy and had some extra vibrations out of the front at 50+ MPH, so I crawled under it and the front drive shaft won't turn unless you jack the front end up. I know 'backing up' with the transfer case in neutral is supposed to help "unlock" but that doesn't appear to be the case with this one (about 110K miles).

Seems like the most common cure for any issue with automatic hubs is to replace with manual hubs. Would cleaning and fresh grease help?

RESLLS · Nov 14, 2016

Had a couple that had issues. I just put manual hubs on, which I like better anyway. Never tried to fix them.

crawlerjohn · Nov 14, 2016

Usually the plastic cage gets warped and sometimes they get water in them and lack of maintenance they get sticky.

crawlerjohn · Nov 14, 2016

The best youtube video on repairing automatic hubs. I hope this helps. John
Untitled URL Link

moresmoke · Nov 14, 2016

Don't be afraid to take one apart and have a look. There is a fairly simple cam mechanism that operates the lock. I have had one where they would be locked all the time, and it was caused by rusted up u-joints. Replaced the u-joints, and lubed up the hubs, was back to like new.

RBoots · Nov 14, 2016

I had that issue with the ones on my F250. Sounded like a wheel bearing was out. I had already put new U joints in it the year before. I took them apart and cleaned them up an oiled them with light oil (I was always told not to use grease on 4wd hubs), and they still didn't work correctly. Once you engaged 4wd, the only way to get them to unlock, even after the lever was back in 2wd, you had to stab the throttle a couple times in reverse. I've always hated auto hubs anyway. I pitched em and put manual locks on it. Works great now, lock em in when I need them, they unlock when I want them unlocked.

mite-help · Nov 14, 2016

x3 on all--also put a pry bar under drive shaft--chk movement of stub shaft Torrington bearing. this can cause mis-alignment. aftermarket manual is more forgiving for this.

DENNIS MIN · Nov 14, 2016

dhermsc,

A long time ago, I had a co-worker claim that the hubs could be switched from left to right and gain more service out of them. I cannot ensure that claim, because it was not me that did it to prove it.

D.

dhermesc · Nov 14, 2016

They can be switched but I don't know if you gain anything by doing it.

dpendzic · Nov 14, 2016

I have manual/auto hubs on my F250--the auto mode wasn't engaging so brought it to ford dealer---they said it was gummed up and needed cleaning--also to make sure I use the auto mode more often to keep it loose

RayP(MI) · Nov 14, 2016

Had a failure in Ford Bronco II. Was a ring shaped spring worth probably $ .25. Parts not avilable, had to buy complete set of hubs. Forget final cost but was several hundred. Thanks, Ford.

DENNIS MIN · Nov 14, 2016

Dhermsc,

If I remember right, the left/right hubs wear differently, thus the possibility of having more life from them.

D.

ericlb · Nov 14, 2016

this was a problem on th emajority of 4x4 trucks back then the most common fix done to ford and chevys equipped with auto hubs back in the mid 80's to early 90's that failed was to remove them and throw them in the trash where they should have been put to start with, and install a good set of warn manual hubs, problem solved, for good

robgIN · Nov 15, 2016

yes that sometimes works , I worked in a Ford dealer and tried it a few times and worked.

robgIN · Nov 15, 2016

those generation of auto hubs unlock and lock back in when you change direction forward reverse, which makes them unreliable when you are stuck and trying to rock your way out. Sometimes wouldn't lock in if you didn't engage 4x4 until you were already stuck. Hated them. aftermarket replacement lockouts better.

jimg.allentown · Nov 16, 2016

I had the automatic hubs on my 1993 explorer for years. Never really had a problem with them. They worked as advertised.
The problem with manual hubs is that you have to get out of the truck and lock each one by hand. Try that in six inches of mud!

Automatic hubs on 1990 Ford

dhermesc

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RESLLS

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crawlerjohn

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crawlerjohn

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moresmoke

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RBoots

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mite-help

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DENNIS MIN

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dhermesc

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dpendzic

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RayP(MI)

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DENNIS MIN

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ericlb

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robgIN

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robgIN

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jimg.allentown

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