Hub question

[SaltineAmerican]

Hello all,
So, I started a thread last week asking about driving with my hubs locked. I have a 95 T4R with a SAS, and what I believe are aftermarket locking hubs.
I locked my hubs and started out in 2H and I couldn't turn out of my driveway onto the street. As I said previously, I've owned a few 4wds but have never really had any problems with them so I'm not experienced with troubleshooting or working on them.
It feels like the steering is very tight and it would just barely turn to the left or right. I then tried it in 4h and it seems fine going forward or back in a straight line, just doesn't turn much at all.
Do I have bad hubs? No way this is normal.

 

[DeclansDaddy]

Full spool or welded diff?? A locker should let you turn unless it's not working properly. I'd say with the hubs locked, jack up one side and see if it turns at all.

 

[Hyde802]

Sounds like a broken birfield.

Heres the fastest way to get a birf out.



What brand are the hubs?

Is there a locker or welded diff in the front?

 

[SaltineAmerican]

I'm not sure if there is a locker or not. Unfortunately I didn't buy it from the original owner who did all the mods.
I'll take some detailed pics tomorrow and post them, hopefully that will help.

 

[KidVermicious]

Sounds like a broken birfield.

Heres the fastest way to get a birf out.

I heart Wheelie Pete.

Saltine, it does sound for sure like something isn't right. Definitely check for a locker - jack one front wheel off the ground, lock the hubs on both sides, and see if you can spin that wheel forwards and backwards.

 

[SaltineAmerican]

I heart Wheelie Pete.

Saltine, it does sound for sure like something isn't right. Definitely check for a locker - jack one front wheel off the ground, lock the hubs on both sides, and see if you can spin that wheel forwards and backwards.

It's funny, before I posted my question, I watched his other video on hub removal. YouTube is amazing.
I will try what you mentioned today when I get home with jacking up one side. I'm assuming that they should be able to spin when locked?

 

[KidVermicious]

Yah, if the diff is open you should be able to engage the hubs and still spin one wheel.

 

[SaltineAmerican]

Update:
So I locked the hubs and jacked up each wheel one at a time and tried to spin the raised wheel. No matter what drive I had it in, even having the transfer case in neutral, I could not spin either wheel.
Here are some pics of what I am dealing with. I'm also going to reach at to the original owner and see if it's a welded axle.

 

[nevada]

sound like its got some type of locker...

based on that front driveline, I would guess its welded.

you definitely don't want to drive around with the hubs locked, regardless of Tcase position. at least not on dry ground.

 

[SaltineAmerican]

sound like its got some type of locker...

based on that front driveline, I would guess its welded.

you definitely don't want to drive around with the hubs locked, regardless of Tcase position. at least not on dry ground.

Thats something I was curious about, would it turn better or at all in mud or sand.

 

[SaltineAmerican]

Ok, I just heard back from the original owner. He said it has a full spool in the differential and that if i want to drive around in 4wd, i can leave one hub unlocked.

 

[KidVermicious]

With a spool in the front diff, it'll turn worse on slippery surfaces like sand or mud. It'll be easier to turn the wheel, but the truck will "push" and not want to turn. What do you have for a locker in the rear? If it's open, I'd swap the thirds and put the spool in back.

 

[Hyde802]

He said it has a full spool in the differential and that if i want to drive around in 4wd, i can leave one hub unlocked.

:doh: Yeah I guess.

Spools are for wheeling. If you want to drive on the road, get a limited slip or an open diff. And dont drive on dry pavement in 4wd, your truck wont like it.

 

[KidVermicious]

:doh: Yeah I guess.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that based on that fantastic overspray paint job underneath and the spool in the front diff, the previous owner might have some interesting ideas about what constitutes "maintenance". The OP might be in for a fun one.

 

[SaltineAmerican]

:doh: Yeah I guess.

Spools are for wheeling. If you want to drive on the road, get a limited slip or an open diff. And dont drive on dry pavement in 4wd, your truck wont like it.

I don't really have any need to drive on the road in 4wd. I live in Houston, very little hills and almost zero snow and ice. I just want to know that the 4wd will work offroad, should I ever need it.

 

[Hyde802]

Take it to a dirt lot or some back dirt roads and try it again. It will handle VERY differently with a spool in the front in 4wd, than an open front.

Best to try it and learn how it reacts before you need it.

Is there a spool in the back too? That will also effect road drive-ability.

Good call nevada on the square shaft having spool. Haha. which brings up the case of if its a real "spool" or a welded diff. Either way, shes locked. Haha

 

[SaltineAmerican]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that based on that fantastic overspray paint job underneath and the spool in the front diff, the previous owner might have some interesting ideas about what constitutes "maintenance". The OP might be in for a fun one.

Yes, I've already spotted several questionable modifications. Hopefully with my average mechanical skills and this forum, Ill be able to fix what breaks.
It's not a daily driver for me so if something breaks it's not an emergency.

 

[SaltineAmerican]

Take it to a dirt lot or some back dirt roads and try it again. It will handle VERY differently with a spool in the front in 4wd, than an open front.

Bet to try it and learn how it reacts before you need it.

Is there a spool in the back too? That will also effect road drive-ability.

Good call nevada on the square shaft having spool. Haha. which brings up the case of if its a real "spool" or a welded diff. Either way, shes locked. Haha

I will ask him about the rear. I've driven it quite a bit on the road since I've bought it and I haven't noticed anything different about the way it drives compared to any other vehicle.

 

[nevada]

Ok, I just heard back from the original owner. He said it has a full spool in the differential and that if i want to drive around in 4wd, i can leave one hub unlocked.

that will help, but only slightly. whichever side is locked will still be spinning a different speed than the driveline whenever you turn, which will cause binding. best to leave them both unlocked until you need 4wd.