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So I'm a noob mechanic. I've been redoing my whole front end suspension w the help of youtube. I snapped a wheel stud off a month ago on drivers side and I have a bad wheel bearing passenger side so I decided to just get new wheel hub assemblies. I noticed the wheel hub assembly that's on my truck currently doesn't have an ABS wire coming from it, it just has the pulse vacuum hard-to-soft line starting from the steering knuckle. the wheel hub assembly I bought has an ABS wire attached to the hub. It seems like if I cut the wire off, it'll fit just fine. If I do this, will it cause any problems? From what I've found out the 4 wheel ABS hub is the one I have that has the wire built in. The 2 wheel ABS version is the current hub on the truck, but tbh I don't even know how to tell if the one that's on there is the right one. I can tell it's been replaced bc a bolt head was stripped. In the location where the ABS wire harness is, there's nothing attached, so now I'm thinking the wheel hub I bought is the right one, but is there supposed to be two lines running up the frame... One for the PVH that goes somewhere back into the engine bay, then the ABS one that plugs in near the bumper? (I do have a clip/harness for what I'm assuming is ABS hanging, with nothing connected, bc videos of other rangers say that's the ABS connection)
also, my old PVH hub cap was practically rust welded on, so I had to break several of the plastic clips that hold it in place and spray like 2 ounces of PB blaster to get the thing off. I plan on getting new manual lock hubs when I have the money, but am I fine to drive without a hub there at all? I know I won't have 4x4, but is that even safe to do? If not, can I just put the half broken PVH back on, with the 3 clips left to hold it in place? Thx in advance for any help. Broken PVH Inside hub
Last edited by JayBeeRangerVee6; Jul 15, 2023 at 05:09 AM.
Reason: Adding info
Can't miss it, thats the 4 wheel ABS controller, if you don't see it then you just have Rear wheel ABS and don't need the front wheel ABS sensors, cut the wire
Most hubs come with ABS because its just easier to manufacture one type of hub that works with either 4WABS or RABS
On any vehicle you must look at what holds the wheel/tire on to the vehicle
The wheel is bolted by lug nuts to the rotor/hub of course but what holds the hub to the vehicle
If there is an axle nut then its what holds the hub to vehicle
PVH were used from 1998-2000, you don't mention your year?
This article is about replacing the front hubs on 1998-2000 Rangers, have a look: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...y-replacement/
I don't see that the axle is part of the hub assembly, so no axle nut
But there is a c-clip on the axle that would need to be installed so axle didn't move in and out while driving, it holds the axle against the rear of hub
Yes, sorry it's a 1998 Ranger XLT Supercab 4x4 4.0L V6 (2WD ABS). For some reason I always thought 2 wheels ABS was put on the front, but I'm guessing bc the rear brakes are drums that's why they put it on the rear? Another thing that threw me off was not seeing an axle nut. So yeah I'm just going to cut the wire and get some manual locking hubs then. Never heard of this C-Clip. I'll have to look into that. I'm still figuring out how exactly suspension components work together, so it's been an adventure forsure
Yes, 1998 would for sure have PVH
Ford started swapping these out as early as 1999 in 4.0l Ranger 4x4s to Live Axles, with the axle bolt, PVH just didn't work as well as they would have liked
6th picture in that article shows C-clip and location
Most vehicles with 2 wheel ABS had it on the rear,because rear of vehicles are always lighter, so more likely to lose traction, lock up, while braking
Front of vehicles have the engine for more weight, so front tires are less likely to lock up, can of course, just less likely than the rear
On motorcycles the front wheel got the ABS first, lol
What's your opinion on cheapo manual locking hubs vs good brand name? Especially if I never use 4wd anyway. I think I've read some of them slip off on people while driving? Is that a thing and is it with any of them or only cheap ones, or? Also what would happen if I just drive without a locking hub at all, and is that even possible? Or what could go wrong?
