I have a 2004 ranger edge 4x4. I just wanted to know how the hub works, I cant find it on the internet anywhere.

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Darrin Whiteside

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The 2004 is a live axle, meaning the front wheels/axles are always turning the front differential. The disconnect in the drivetrain happens at the transfer case. There are no locking/unlocking hubs on that year of Ranger to speak of. Just a unit-bearing style of hub which is the wheel bearing, and is replaceable as a complete unit. They can be converted to manual hubs if one desires, but it will cost you several hundred dollars. That info is available if you search the forum or Google it for more info. If you need to replace the wheel bearing then go with the Timken brand. You'll be glad you spent the extra money, as it will likely outlast most all other brands.

The front CV axles are splined to mate up with the hub/wheel bearing assembly, which drives the wheels when in 4x4. The front wheel bearing/hub assembly also has an ABS sensor attached to it, which comes with the new unit.

If they need changed, it's a relatively straight forward job. 2 bolts to remove the caliper and 3 bolts to remove the hub. There's a large 32mm (I believe) axle nut that will have to be removed as well. Remove it first. Buy a new axle nut if you can source them and afford it.




In the picture below, what they call the driveshaft is actually the front CV axle assembly.






GB

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2001 Edge Regular cab, auto 4.0L 4x4 4.10LS 8.8

1987 standard cab w/92 5.0/T5Z 31 spline 8.8 w/Torsen

1989 Regular cab longbed, manual 2.9 4x4 - Parts BroncoII's x 3

Darrin, welcome to FRF.

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2000 Ranger Extd Cab XLT, 4X4 Off Road, 4.0L, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, 01 grille & lights swap.
69 Mustang, modified 5.0, & 5spd.(project)
99 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, PW, PL, PM, Cruise, Tilt. (Wife's DD)
05 F-150 2WD Regular Cab. ( My DD)

thank you for that reply. I left my question a little vague. on my Polaris quad runner it has a live axle and no transfer case. actually it dose but not like a 4x4 on a truck. all it does is change the direction of drive to front axle. the 4x4 works when electric charge magnifies the traction plate and throws the bearings in the hub to the outside of the hub to locket in. that's how I think this hub operates, but not sure. I hate to think that the front axel is spinning all the time, that is a lot of waisted wear. Dosent the transfer case act like a clutch for the front gear box? then the gears spin when you engage the transfer case? how does the hub work specifically? im not having problems I am just curious. I really like to know how things work. thanks for chatting.

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Darrin Whiteside

I explained it in my previous post. The hubs are ALWAYS live. ALWAYS locked in. ALWAYS turning the front diff, if the vehicle is in motion. The front driveshaft is ALWAYS spinning. The disconnect happens at the transfer case. The hubs don't lock and unlock on demand or anything like that. Hence the term "live axle" - All Rangers after 2000-ish are built this way to my knowledge. My 2001 is live axle, but I know that some previous Rangers had vacuum disconnect hub systems that were a really bad/weak design, and previous to those designs, Ford used the traditional manual locking hubs in some trucks and automatic locking hubs in other trucks. My 89 has manual locking hubs. As I said, the truck can be converted to manual locking hubs but it'll cost you several hundred dollars to do it right. You can Google search, or search the forums for more info on that conversion.

I know some of the older Polaris stuff had a one way bearing used for power input to the front drivetrain, where power wasn't applied to the front axles unless you were on the go-pedal. On your Polaris the front hubs actually lock and unlock the way you describe it. Depending on whether 12 volts is applied to them or not.



GB

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2001 Edge Regular cab, auto 4.0L 4x4 4.10LS 8.8

1987 standard cab w/92 5.0/T5Z 31 spline 8.8 w/Torsen

1989 Regular cab longbed, manual 2.9 4x4 - Parts BroncoII's x 3

Thank you for responding to my question, this really satisfies my curiosity. It really bugs me not knowing how stuff works.

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Darrin Whiteside