1997 Ford Ranger makes loud noise from right front hub

1997 FORD RANGER
61,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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1997 Ford Ranger mileage: 61,000. I have automatic four wheel drive. Recently, the right front hub started to make a loud grinding noise whenever I disengage the four-wheel drive. The autohub is not fully disengaging the four wheel drive and, or so I think. It engages roughly, and disengages smoothly on the fly, but once I stop and restart at say a stop light, there is an awful grinding, "whizzing" noise. Is this just the hubs that need replacement, or something more serious? I have been told auto-lockers are no good no matter who you get them from, be it Ford, Chevy, GM. Instead of replacing the autos, can I just put in manuals, if this is even my problem? The truck performs just fine once I get into 2WD.

Feb 2, 2011 at 8:53 PM
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It sounds like your hubs are bad and the only “fix” is to replace them. Unfortunately, the only hubs that will work with your 4-wheel drive system are the factory automatic units, which we have found to be high maintenance components.
Feb 2, 2011 at 8:55 PM