Hoping this is an easy one for someone. I've searched the site and couldn't find an answer.

I have a 97 Ranger 4x4 with auto hubs that are not engaging. I'm 99 % sure I've got too much grease in there somewhere. Can someone tell which parts should be greased, how much and what kind of grease, and what parts should not be greased? I've read somewhere that the plastic cam should have NO grease on it and minimal grease inside the hub. Is that correct?

Appreciate any help (and yes I know I should put manual hubs on, but if these aren't broken, which I don't think they are, then I just want to fix 'em)

Thanks

 

heres a link
Ford Ranger 4x4 Locking Hub Troubleshooting

 

From the link: Don't put grease in the hubs. Just lubricate them with a little automatic transmission fluid (ATF).

 

fwiw, the dealer replaced mine with brand new ones (which i took off a month later) because they broke them....when i took them off, they had grease on them.

it was just a light coating.

 

And no grease at all on the plastic cam?

Thanks

 

I have at least one auto hub on my 96 that's not locking, so no power to the front wheels in 4wd. I understand replacement with manual hubs is the preferred solution here, but I have a '97 parts truck, so for free I can get the auto hubs fixed, and that link gives me a head start on figuring them out. So thanks for that link

 

I just replaced mine today with the ones from my '97 parts truck. One had some thick grease on it, it seemed like when the axle turned, the cams couldn't compress the hub enough for it to engage. When I replaced that one, the passenger side one finally started getting some torque and it made a horrible buzzing/grinding noise, so I replaced that one also. The parts that were on the axle shafts looked in fine shape.

I put the bad ones back on the parts truck for now, will probably take them off before I junk it, maybe take them all apart to see how they work. I think the one might be fixable with a good cleaning, the other one I'm not so sure. At some point, (not anytime soon) I think I'll try to take one completely apart, that info on TRS is ok, but I like big pictures and detailed service steps.

I can see where excess grease can limit the functionality of the locking, especially if it gets like one of mine where it is really thick, almost kinda dry, but I think a token amount of grease, a very light coating on the axle shaft parts wouldn't be a problem. Just not gobs of it. Not packed like a wheel bearing

 

Still no luck. I cleaned the inside of the locking hub, the spindle stub and cam and still not getting the hub to lock. The hub itself looks good to me. I took out the center gear when I cleaned it and there are no chipped teeth on the inner our outer gear and everything looks good including the bearing in the locking hub. And I do know the axle does spin in 4wd.
I'm thinking maybe the cam on the locking nut may be the problem. There are no chips or cracks in the plastic cam and no obvious worn spots either. Does anyone know if the outer plastic cam that sits on the locking nut should be able to spin freely around the metal keyed cam that fits inside of it?

 

i would just convert to mainal hubs their a hole lot better than the auto ones.