I have a 1990 K5 that has auto locking hubs. Lately I've noticed a ratchet type sound coming from the hub while I'm driving. When I come to a stop I get a clunk from the front end.
From what I've read I have a problem in the hub.
My question is can I just remove the gears, ECT from the hub until I can get these replaced with manual ones without having a problem?
Is it safe to drive without the hubs intact?
Thanks.

 

That is the recommended path when the old auto-locking hubs start to mess up. You could try to remove and clean all the components, then grease them all up good before reassembly, but it really isn't worth it and the o-ring is likely to fall apart when you take them off. Those auto-locking hubs would let you down when you most needed them.

I'm not sure what is available anymore, but Warn Premiums used to be the best you could get. It is a fairly straight forward swap.