Posted: 9/20/2011 6:05:08 AM EDT
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I'm having trouble with the live axle setup on my truck. It's a 2000 Ford Ranger 4x4. That particular year, Ford switched from pulse vacuum hubs to live axles. Problem is when I engage the transfer case, the nut(s) loosen up and the axle shafts will spin while the wheels stay in place. I replaced the hubs last year after the other ones wore out. I simply slid the end of the axle shaft(s) through the new hub(s) and tightened down the nut. Is there something else that should go underneath the nut to keep this from happening? Luckily, I never use four wheel drive on this truck unless it's raining or there's ice on the road, so it doesn't really bother me much. I would like to get it fixed anyways, though. Thanks for any help!
Here's a couple of photos from the day I changed the hubs: 
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| You've got the wrong hubs for your truck. I just looked on Rock Auto's website, and there's a set of hubs that are splined where the shaft comes through, and a set that are splined where the other style of hubs grab on. I don't see front wheel ABS sensors in your pictures, so to my eye, you need SKF pn BR930344 or its equivalent. |
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Quoted:
You've got the wrong hubs for your truck. I just looked on Rock Auto's website, and there's a set of hubs that are splined where the shaft comes through, and a set that are splined where the other style of hubs grab on. I don't see front wheel ABS sensors in your pictures, so to my eye, you need SKF pn BR930344 or its equivalent. I'm wanting to say that my truck doesn't have front ABS, only rear. I looked at all of that stuff when I bought the hubs, but I've forgotten now. I'm pretty sure that those are the right ones. When the nut on each hub is tightened down, the tires turn with the axle shafts, but when the nuts loosen, only the shafts turn. ETA: It does only have rear ABS. |
| They have to be splined somewhere/somehow. Yours look splined in the outside area I can see in the photo. If your hub isn't splined to mate up with the end of the axle, then it's the wrong one. I'm not familuar with your model. Is the axle splined, or have a keyway? You could just be missing a woodruff key? |
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If your shafts have a big nut that threads on the end, those are absolutely the wrong bearings you have. Yes, they have the big nut. These are the only types of hubs that I can find for that model year for a live axle setup without front ABS. I have no idea how they're the wrong ones. |
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Those vehicles never used a woodruff key.
Have you always owned this truck? Cause I've never seen a ranger with an axle retaining nut. Not saying they don't exist, but I haven't seen one yet. Explorers have them though. A ranger should just have a snap ring around theshaft and then a vacuum hub snapped onto the outside. Explorers have no vacuum hub lock, just a retaining nut on the outside. Eta. I just stopped at Carquest. They show 4 different bearingsvfor your truck. They do list one for no vacuum hubs, and no front ABS. I'm certain you have the wrong bearings there. |
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Thanks for the woodruff key explanation.
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Those vehicles never used a woodruff key. Have you always owned this truck? Cause I've never seen a ranger with an axle retaining nut. Not saying they don't exist, but I haven't seen one yet. Explorers have them though. A ranger should just have a snap ring around theshaft and then a vacuum hub snapped onto the outside. Explorers have no vacuum hub lock, just a retaining nut on the outside. No, I'm not the original owner. This truck doesn't have pulse vacuum hubs, so the nut is supposed to be there. |
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Quoted: Found them on o'reillys,napa and rock auto.Quoted: Did you use new nuts and washers? They are a one time use. Looks like there are 2 different designs of hubs from what i am finding. I used the same hardware. Can you link the two designs? I can only find one. If you look close they will have 2 different types. One like your photo and another different one. I closed all the tabs with the links.  |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Found them on o'reillys,napa and rock auto.
Quoted:
Did you use new nuts and washers? They are a one time use. Looks like there are 2 different designs of hubs from what i am finding. I used the same hardware. Can you link the two designs? I can only find one. If you look close they will have 2 different types. One like your photo and another different one. I closed all the tabs with the links.
Ahhh! Found it. Thanks for the help!  The hubs that are on there now aren't worn out yet, but when it comes time to replace them, I know which ones to get now. I can't help but wonder why the previous owner put the wrong kind on there.  This is my first 4 wheel drive vehicle, so I'm kinda on a learning curve. Thanks again all who helped!
The correct one: 
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