i am new to the forums and just purchased an 89 trooper automatic with locking hubs. the person i bought it from said the 4x4 never worked while she used it and after reading through the forums, i realize it may be the snapring on the end of the axle. the only thing is they left it locked and i can't get them to turn to free. i backed up and pulled forward a little and a lot and nothing will budge them. am i doing something wrong or is my poor troopers hubs tore up?

 

removed the switch on the end of the hub on suspicion that the end of the axle was chewed up or the snap ring has broken. neither, the inspection was great. if anything the end of the axle could have used more grease. it looks like someone might have replaced a cv axle without removed the end of the hub so it jammed the spline from the hub into itself instead of interlocking with the axle which also made it so the switch (don't know what to call it) wouldn't turn. after greasing it up, and putting it back on switched to free and being careful not to turn it as i put it on, 4x4 works great. all i have now is a rough body, interior, and engine light for EGR, but for 400, you can't complain.