Automatic hubs not disengaging
 

Hi folks.

I have a 2000 Montero that my wife drives here in Maine. She loves it. I have searched the forums and have not come up with my exact issue.

This past winter I had the dreaded flashing light problem when disengaging 4wd. That seems to have cleared up. Last week I replaced my front wheel bearings and notice one hub and axle spun freely while the other had some resistance to it. My wife has also noticed that the mileage has decreased 2-3mpg and when driving at 65+ the right front seems to be noisy. She says it sounds like it does when AWD is engaged.

From this I suspect that one of the automatic hubs is not disengaging. Is this possible? What could be causing this?

I have considered swapping out the hubs for manual lockers but that does not solve the issue.

Thanks for your help.
Tim