Has anyone had this happen? '91 fullsize, auto hubs, 700R4 tranny, manual tx case.

This started after I tested the 4wd. When going down the road there is a very loud ticking noise that will come from either or both sides. The speed is usually above 40mph. If the left hub is making the noise and I turn right, pretty sharp, then the noise goes away sometimes and then the noise will come back either when driving or the next day. The noise will also stop when coming to a stop with a loud thud. When I get out and touch the ext. hub cap it is hot enough to cook on.

I used the ususal procedure whe engaging and disengaging the 4wd. (full stop engage, full stop disengage back up)
I checked the bearings no problems there, no uneven wear on the tires, turn wheels from stop to stop no problems, all ujoints are fine as are the ball joints, checked the calipers they aren't hanging.

It has me scratching my head.

 

axle?

 

Have you ever serviced the auto hubs?
Sounds like they don't wanna disengage. I'd pull the hub apart and check the spring and the ramps. I've broken a few ramps 'cause the wheel was spinning to fast when it engaged.

I left the auto hubs on my '74 and my '87, but I changed the hubs on my '85 to manual.
I rarely ever use the 4wd in the '74, the '87 I use for pulling my boat, but the '85 gets into some serious off roading and I feel more confident in the manual hubs.
Auto hubs should be fine as long as they get serviced (cleaned and re-greased)

 

My first thought was the hubs but they were serviced 300mi ago. My only problem with them being bad is that they take turns making the sound and they worked fine last year.

This is my first veh. with auto hubs and I am not jumping for joy about them and am going to replace them with manual, eventualy but until I am able to save up for them (cost of living killing me this year). I have to put up with the autos and try to get them to work.