My mechanic's a pretty nice guy, but also pretty busy. Last week he changed out my front wheel bearings, upper and lower ball joints, and tie rod ends, had the truck pretty late and I just noticed today I don't think the 4wd is engaging...(Was stuck in my driveway late for work, and she was just spinning where it should have walked right out) I'll probably take it back to him when I get time, but It made me remember a time a few years back when I was in the woods and it happened,...Dealership fixed it that time. Anyone know these hubs well enogh to venture a guess what he might have got wrong or forgot about when doing the front wheel bearings? Any help would be appreciated,...might save us both a lot time. Thanks Joe

It's a 99 3.o 4wd model

 

Happened to me. My axle shaft seal went bad and allowed water and dirt inside my hub. I took a wire brush to it and greased it and it hasn't given me a problem since. Try taking your wheels off and pop the hub off with a screw driver and take a look. It may also be a vacuum leak. These hubs are vacuum controlled. When was the last time you put it in 4x4 before you got work done.

 

Thanks for the response Hurley,...I use them quite often,...probably the day before he did the work...I was mostly worried about chewing something up before I could get back to him....

 

Replace them with manual hubs from AVM or Rugged Ridge. They are a lot more reliable.

 

I wouldn't use rugged ridge, I've heard they are a little lower quality. Personally I would go with warn. Correct me if I'm wrong but don't you have to swap a couple other things to use manual hubs? Manual hubs are nice cuz there is no bs when you want to be in four wheel and you will also have two wheel low range but you have to get out of your truck every time you want four wheel drive. You get the good with the bad.

 

warn doesnt make ranger hubs for anything newer than either 92 or 93

 

Hmmm really? I was always told warn was the best but I guess there not if they don't make em

 

yep really. if he switchs all he has to do it take the old hubs off and put the new ones on since he is 98-2000.5

 

Thanks guys,...food for thought. Meanwhile, I think I'll have him fix them properly for the time being, simply due to cash flow...I've got an abs issue I'm chasing right now too, all new bearings and sensors, but still doing the low speed "Where's my %#@ brakes?" thing Hopefully our weather will get warmer and I can do some diagnosing myself.