Looking for directions to service front hubs (1994 4x4)

Hello everyone,

It has been determined that my front left hub is not engaging, so I'm not
getting power to the front wheels in 4 wheel drive.

Quick check - since my front axle is not a limited-slip axle, does it make
sense that as the front left hub isn't engaging (but the driveshaft is
spinning), that the front RIGHT wheel would never get power (since the
"wheel" with the least resistance is the one that will spin)?
I tried shifting into 4 wheel drive in a muddy field and spinning the tires.
Both back tires spin (I have a limited slip axle), but neither of the front
tires spin. However, my mechanic advised me that the front right hub is
fine.

I read a lot on the internet about problems with automatic hubs, and decided
to try cleaning off the gobs of grease that were on both, then lubricating
with transmission fluid. That did not change anything.

Upon inspection (I'm new to 4 wheeling, so forgive any lack of lingo), the
actual hub part comes off easily on both sides, and everything spins inside
it freely. On the axle, I can see that there are a series of gears, cams,
and whatnot....when I tried shifting into 4WD while the truck was jacked up,
it seemed that the front right gears/cams/etc. would "lock up" while the
front left bits all continued to spin freely.


I'm wondering how hard it would be to service this (assuming I can figure
out what needs to be serviced)? I know that most people will say "switch to
manual hubs", but finances don't permit that at this time.

A local scrapyard has an Explorer with working 4 wheel drive, so I am hoping
to get what I need from this parts truck.

The question is, how to go about taking things apart to figure out what is
broken?? I have read that plastic cams can break their teeth....but
everything I can see appears to be metal, and in good shape.

Are there any web resources with good photos and descriptions of how to take
things apart? I may end up buying a service manual, but I'm hoping that
some "real world" advice will assist the process.

Looking forward to your replies.

Chris

Here's an additional small amount of information on the auto hubs:
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...n_us/0900823d/
80/0b/af/4b/0900823d800baf4b.jsp