Auto locking hub greif :'(

[wuppy]

1997 4 door tracker 1.6 4x4 auto locking hubs
I am new to this forum, having read all the posts as a guest you all look like very helpful people My tracker is great and I love it. I am having some issues with the 4x4.

I am assuming the fact that I have the Tracker model as opposed to the sidekick is ok. I assume they are an identical unit more or less.

When in 4L or 4H 4x4 functions as normal with one exception. When ever the front diff has to put any more then a little power to the drivers side front wheel it will starts making a clicking/grinding/clunking noise.

Here is an example - Yesterday I got stuck in some snow getting home. I put the tracker in 4h and started moving forward and ended up getting hung up on a snow drift. The front diff wanted to turn the drivers side front wheel (it was the only one that would have got traction) I pushed the excelerator and the drivers side front wheel began to pull my tracker off the snow drift I was hung up on. (the drivers side front wheel and the passenger side rear wheel where getting the power). I started to loose forward momentum so I pushed the excelerator down a little further to keep my speed constant (just a slight crawl as to not spin the wheels) and suddenly the wheel stopped turning/being driven and a loud clicking/grinding/clunking noise came from that corner (front left) of the vehicle. The front wheel lurched forward an inch or so with each *clunk* (leaned out the window to lok at it). It is like the front diff is trying to put power to that wheel but something is slipping/grinding or not engaged properly.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[94box]

Hello wuppy:

I own a 94 sidekick 4wd with manual locking hubs.

Unfortunately, i am not experienced in auto locking hubs, although i did buy a used pair but have not installed them. Im assuming you know how the auto-locking hubs work, you come to a stop, switch to 4wd (either high or low), then proceed slowly forward until a clicking noise is heard, now your hubs are locked and should be ready to roll. IF you heard that strange noise, i would check out the operation of the hubs to see if they are locking, take the outer cover off with a strap wrench, then switch to 4wd, move the vehicle forward ( assistant) and watch to see if the gears slide and lock the hub, do this for both sides.

You may wish to contact louis or gman on this forum for additional help since they are more experienced then myself in this area. Price wise, new auto locking hubs from the dealer are over $700 each, aftermarket manual locking hubs are approx $220 for a pair, so if they find your problem and if it is the auto hub, you can then make a decision.

Welcome to the site and enjoy your 4X4.

94box.

[wuppy]

Thanks for the responce 94box. I think the issue is that the hub in question is locking but not staying locked when any amount of torque is applied to it.

Does anyone know of a take-apart guide/diogram for my autolocking hubs?
I want to take therm apart and check their operation and clean/grease them. Can someone scan me a page of a manual?

[3wheelerdude]

That would be great if someone had a diagram like that, maybe one of the manual hubs too. I would like to take mine out too so I can grease em up.

[94box]

Hello yuppy and 3wheeler:

for yuppy, unfortunately cannot service the auto-clocking hubs, they are a completely sealed unit, you can remove it and put a conservative amount of grease in the hub (do not overpack them with grease) but it sounds like you may need another hub. If it helps any, try to ease up on torque when first engaging them.

I do have a diagram of the hubs, but they only have pictures and no directions. For 3wheeler, repacking the hubs in the manual locking hubs is easy. for more info, contact louis cause he's done them before, and so have I. My two cents worth is remove the allan bolts carefully, remove the clutch cover, then clean everything up inside, remove old grease, then remove the clutch gear and spring, clean everything up, then lightly grease the spring, clutch gear, and the inside of the hub (on vehicle part of hub), do not pack it full of grease, just coat everything lightly, then replace the gasket (looks like a star shaped thing) and put back the bolts.

I don't know if i am confusing you, but its not a difficult job, if you let a mechanic do it, it is not a labour intensive job. If you need a picture of the hub i can send you one.

Hope this helps,

94box.

[3wheelerdude]

yeah a picture would be great if you have time. [e-mail]

[louthepou]

Hello all,

I'm a bit like 94box, only played with manual hubs. I'll take a look at the Haynes book tonight. Gman might (must) have good advice about the auto locking ones.

If you have some grinding, klunking noises, there maybe something to worry about. Before doing lots of road testing, I'd make sure to diagnose the problem first (either yourself or a good mechanic familiar with this 4wd system).

As proposed by 94box, often on Sidekicks (and trackers, same difference), the hubs (freewheels) are the source of 4wd issues. They're usually easy to resolve.

On trucks that have been poorly maintained for a long time, you sometimes get (bigger) problems, with the differentials, gear box and transfer case. You will hope that's not the case.

Check out this string of posts from a few months ago, interesting reading.
sidekick.proboards21.com/index.cgi?board=sidekick&action=display&thread=1098127615

Feel free to send me questions at my home e-mail.

Cheers!

Louis

[Gman]

Sorry, Guys, No repair experience on auto hubs. I did remove a couple sets a while back (mostly to oil the bolts and see if they were going to come out without breaking). The hubs all looked bad on the outside but real good on the inside, So I buffed them to a shine on the outside and added a dab of grease to compensate for any possible losses.

Spare, Spare, Spare, Spare, BUY A SPARE.

If, when in 2WD, they turn constantly on nothing but a greased bushing, as the Manuals do, then they WON"T LAST FOREVER !

They WILL get rare and we will have to fix our old ones someday, So ...

Get a SPARE SET As I plan To do !!! Gman.