Help Maverick SWB Clonking Front Hub

[GHDirect]

Hi all.

I need advice as to what the issue is.

Owned my 97 Maverick 2.7TDI SWB some 30 months without major issue.
Only used for local trips but good for towing trailer and for Dorset's country lanes etc. So it stays in 2 wheel mode most of the time.

However today saw first heavy rain for weeks and lanes were slippery which meant the backend with (General Grabbers) is very tail happy, so I drove the 5 miles to Tesco in 4 wheel which improves stability no end.

I backed into a parking slot but on exit had the window down and heard loud clonking I guess per / part wheel revolution as I pulled out on R/H lock from parking slot. Not there on the straight or smaller turns.

Jacked up each front wheel in turn no wobble or serious noise when turning by hand. Not sure what problem I am looking at?
Advice please.

 

[elty001]

Possibly the steering stops if only on full lock.
They have a plastic cap that wears away which gives a horrible metal on metal clunk.
A blob of grease on each one is an easy fix but new caps can be sourced and fitted.

 

[solarman216]

First off you should not be in 4 wheel on tarmac ever, snow or mud yes but never on a hard road, if you have auto hubs then you might have damaged one and this could be your noise, if fixed hubs then look for prop shaft issues, Rick

 

[macabethiel]

Just a guess ?

Hi all.

I need advice as to what the issue is.

Owned my 97 Maverick 2.7TDI SWB some 30 months without major issue.
Only used for local trips but good for towing trailer and for Dorset's country lanes etc. So it stays in 2 wheel mode most of the time.

However today saw first heavy rain for weeks and lanes were slippery which meant the backend with (General Grabbers) is very tail happy, so I drove the 5 miles to Tesco in 4 wheel which improves stability no end.

I backed into a parking slot but on exit had the window down and heard loud clonking I guess per / part wheel revolution as I pulled out on R/H lock from parking slot. Not there on the straight or smaller turns.

Jacked up each front wheel in turn no wobble or serious noise when turning by hand. Not sure what problem I am looking at?
Advice please.

If your road speed was high your front hubs if they are manual ones might not be unlocking properly. My r3mR had automatic hubs so was never an issue except for three penny biting around low speed roundabouts when on close to full lock.

Others here know a lot more about the front hubs water ingress might be an issue if they are not well greased.

 

[jims-terrano]

I’d go with elty on this one as it’s easiest to try, 4 blobs of grease. I do mine every six months or so, the noise is dam terrible when it happens.

As Rick says these trucks don’t react well to 4wd on hard surfaces and the manuals do state words to this effect, basically there’s no centre diff. Due to yours being a maverick and an early truck it would of come from factory with auto locking hubs on the front but there’s no saying someone hasn’t fitted fixed hubs from a later truck. There’s a download or two on servicing the hubs if you look in Quick Links. If there is some damage it would be what’s called the brake rings that snap, almost a sacrificial part.

As for being tail happy I’d be changing the rear diff oil if you don’t know the history of the diff oil. Use only genuine Limited Slip Diff oil, not gear oil and additives. When the oil is old or contaminated the rear ends slide out easily.

Good Luck

 

[macabethiel]

Tail Happy rear axle moving about ??

Hi all.

I need advice as to what the issue is.

Owned my 97 Maverick 2.7TDI SWB some 30 months without major issue.
Only used for local trips but good for towing trailer and for Dorset's country lanes etc. So it stays in 2 wheel mode most of the time.

However today saw first heavy rain for weeks and lanes were slippery which meant the backend with (General Grabbers) is very tail happy, so I drove the 5 miles to Tesco in 4 wheel which improves stability no end.

I backed into a parking slot but on exit had the window down and heard loud clonking I guess per / part wheel revolution as I pulled out on R/H lock from parking slot. Not there on the straight or smaller turns.

Jacked up each front wheel in turn no wobble or serious noise when turning by hand. Not sure what problem I am looking at?
Advice please.

I had issues with my r3mR being tail happy very noticeable above 50 mph - although my back axle suspension was very different the cause was the bushes in the rear suspension allowing the rear axle to shift at high torque.

I replaced all the rear suspension bushes and she was steady as a rock - never had to use 4WD except in snow it was that stable.

 

[Banshee]

Hi all.

I need advice as to what the issue is.

Owned my 97 Maverick 2.7TDI SWB some 30 months without major issue.
Only used for local trips but good for towing trailer and for Dorset's country lanes etc. So it stays in 2 wheel mode most of the time.

However today saw first heavy rain for weeks and lanes were slippery which meant the backend with (General Grabbers) is very tail happy, so I drove the 5 miles to Tesco in 4 wheel which improves stability no end.

I backed into a parking slot but on exit had the window down and heard loud clonking I guess per / part wheel revolution as I pulled out on R/H lock from parking slot. Not there on the straight or smaller turns.

Jacked up each front wheel in turn no wobble or serious noise when turning by hand. Not sure what problem I am looking at?
Advice please.

OK, here's my theory :question

You were getting tail happy due to your oil needing to be replaced in the diff, my Maverick did the same on a left bend with a slight incline into town that is often gridlocked with busses and trucks queuing for the lights which causes the road to become slippy with oil and Diesel. It can be quite unnerving, especially when you end up backwards with cars still coming towards you

Please, please, please don't use 4 wheel drive on tarmac!!! These are not Land Rov*rs!!! Consult your sticker on the rear of your sun visor for proper usage.

It's most likely that the clunking you heard was your steering stops needing some grease, I don't bother with them anymore and instead jubilee rubber ends onto the stumps which works a dream.

If you're really unlucky, you'll have damaged on of your Auto Hubs from driving the 5 miles in 4 wheel drive.

Start with steering stops and rear diff oil, you'll have the stronger cast rear diff (H233) which will need 2.8 litres of LSD 80w-90 GL5 :thumb2

 

[FerdiNL]

I'm also driving on the Grabber tyres and with no weight on the back my truck sometimes is a bit tailhappy as well.
Got new oil in the reardiff, but in tight corners and accalerating the back will come out a bit.
So maybe it's just the tyres.

 

[Banshee]

I'm also driving on the Grabber tyres and with no weight on the back my truck sometimes is a bit tailhappy as well.
Got new oil in the reardiff, but in tight corners and accalerating the back will come out a bit.
So maybe it's just the tyres.

You've got more torque than us :sly 3.0 show off

 

[GHDirect]

Hi All

Appreciate the feedback.

I will look into steering stops, but won't be surprised if I have damaged an auto hub.

FYI I changed the diff oil recently with the correct fluid but it didn't change the tail happy which I put down to General Grabbers. They look the part but have road holding of an ice cube.

:lol

 

[jims-terrano]

The good news is that if and it’s only if you have damaged the auto lockers it’ll just be the brake rings, ok pricey but not as bad as a whole hub.

 

[solarman216]

Just to let you know I have auto hub bits going, do not use them anymore, as have a Trol, Rick

 

[FerdiNL]

You've got more torque than us :sly 3.0 show off

Sorry! :naughty