Just purchased a 1997 ranger that had originally auto locking hubs and was changed to warn manuel hubs. The flat washer & flat bearing and clip is not on either axle and the axles can move in and out 3/8 of an inch or so. Is this normal after installing manuel hubs? 2nd question: On the transfer case in front of the drain plug, there is an assembly that looks similar to 3 inch metal doughnuts that are attached to the rear of the the transfer case. These have to be removed to remove the drain plug. What are these and what are they for?
Thanks
Funtwohunt

when the manual hubs are installed you need a kit for it. http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MMK%2D95%2D27997&N=700+4294924744+4294908331+4294907827+400059+115&autoview=sku
also there is a flat washer an c clip that retains the outtier part of the axle from sliding to far.
the donut you talk of is nothing more then a damper for drivetrain virbrations. if you look at your rear you prob see 1 on it also. its not needed part, but you might feel virbration after its removed.

Thanks for the info. On the hubs, they were changed 3-4 years ago by a shop for the person we bought it from. He can't remember exactly where he had it done. I just noticed that both front axles have the movement. I took the left front hub off and saw that the washer, bearing and clip wasn't on it. My 88 ranger manual hubs have the washers, bearing and clip, I know they are probably different. Everything looks and works O.K. but I'm just curious if that much movement will take out the seals at the steering knuckle. Thanks Funtwohunt

i dont think so. on the pass side it wont move to far as the rubber boot between the 2 shafts will hold it from going to far. the driver side would be the 1 moving the most as it just has the manual hub to keep it from moving.

I looked at the link you sent me on the Summit site. I see the two nuts and lock ring that are normally used to hold the hub to the spindle. Is the third thicker looking nut on the right side in the picture the one that supports the axle where the original "C" clip, splinded washer, flat bearing and second flat washer used to? Thanks, Funtwohunt

Sorry now I realize it is the other two nuts and washer stacked together. Funtwohunt

i dont think so. on the pass side it wont move to far as the rubber boot between the 2 shafts will hold it from going to far. the driver side would be the 1 moving the most as it just has the manual hub to keep it from moving.
There is a seal AND a needle bearing that will not be riding on the correct part of the axle.
Buy the c-clips, washers and put them on:hail: