Ive been doing some front end work and relized one of my 4x4 hubs is locked. I dont know much about this truck since I only owned it about 4 weeks now but anyway, 1st question... did they offer a auto hub thats only auto and is not switchable to manual lock or can they all turn to manual lock. my hubs do not have any markings like some of the pics Ive been looking at. 2nd question. do the auto hubs default to lock or unlock when vacuum is disconnected? thanks.

 

They don't default to either when you disconnect because there isn't a constant vacuum and they all can be manually turned to lock or free. The vacuum applies when you turn the switch inside and it comes from a separate little device, not the intake vacuum. If your dial is frozen you can take it apart buy turning it past the limit a little and pull it out when the hub is apart and replace the seal or try drilling a hole in the dial and set it in penetrating oil overnight.

 

I went out and used 2 wrenches on it and with a screwdriver between I could turn it. damn thing was locked. Must have been from the lady I bought it from (dumb as rock). I guess all the markings on these hubs wore off. thanks.

 

Righty tighty and lefty loosy........clockwise is locked.

 

I try to regularly turn the dials on my hubs to keep them free. At least every other week.

I also try to regularly put the truck in 4x4, once a month, year round. In my experience, that helps to keep the hubs working and the t-case engaging properly.

I had lots of trouble with the auto 4x4 on my '94 Explorer until I started putting it in 4x4 once a month. Now it rarely takes more than one try for it to engage.

So far, I've never had to try more than once on my F250, but I still have a bad taste in my mouth for auto 4x4 systems, so I'll continue to exercise it regularly.