Questions and Answers

Ford Ranger Bangs And Pops Q. This one is hard to describe but I'll do my best. 1990 Ford Ranger 4x4, 2.9 liter, manual transmission and 130,000 miles. If you drive straight or in reverse there's no problem. Turn the wheel right and go forward slowly, and the right front wheel locks up, the left rear starts to squat down working against the lock, then finally a bang and it pops loose and you start the process over.

I've gone under the truck, grabbed and twisted the right front axle, and you can hear it engage the lockout hub. Jack up the right wheel off the ground and try to turn it by hand and it will try to turn the axle and the shaft back to the transfer case until the slack is gone, then a little pop as you let go of the wheel, and the lockout disengages as the wheel releases the tension on the axle.

I did replace the hub already with a used one. Is this one bad too or do I have another problem somewhere? I don't understand why the hub would engage when I turn right. Any suggestions?

A. I would check the U Joints on the front axles. They freeze up and could very well cause the problem you're having.