Go to the Tech folder and click on guzzles PSD web page then click on maintenance. Click on auto hub lubrication, he will show you step by step. My 04 hub will stay locked if I turn it to locked then back to auto. I then have to pull the locking hub, break it down and push down on the black bladder while turning it from locked to auto. Put it back on and as long as I stay in the auto position it will lock and unlock by vacuum. But if I lock them in manually, to get it to totally unlock I have to take it a part. My guess would be a bad u-joint in the front axle. As long as the hubs are unlocked the front axle does not turn so in the unlocked position, you would not feel it.

 

lol I do have a bad u joint. Been talking about replacing it, but when I tried to myself I could not get the knuckle through that rear gasket for the auto hubs. Looks like I should just replace the damned thing and tear it the hell outta there.


What if I were to replace those hubs with a standard, non auto hub? What are my disadvantages?


Thanks
Glenn

 

There are plenty of guys on here that did just that. I like my vacuum hubs, they are more upkeep but I like not having to get out every time to lock them in. There are threads on here to tell you how to replace them and which manual hubs are the best.

 

You are one of the few that has said they keep them up as auto locks. I must admit, I rather miss being able to lock them in for a quick job as opposed to getting out of the truck. I don't think I would use the autos to plow or anything heavy duty. But to pull the boat out on the beach for 2 minutes, or something along those lines, yes.


How bad is it to keep them up? Do you replace the seals?


Thanks
Glenn

 

Any update Glen? I have something very similar going on. The front left wheel has (4 times now) caught and popped with a good clunk like something is catching in the wheel locker. All four times it occurred was when I was coasting with light braking up to a stop (under 10mph). Something is going to break! I can hear it making a sound (with my head out the window) like a one way gear just before it happens.

 

When I did my ball joints, tie rod ends and front u joints I replaced all the seals. Now I just keep the hub locks greased and make sure the vacuum is right at the hubs for locking them in and out and you are good to go. I don't go wild off road mud bogging or stump jumping. Mostly use the 4x4 to get in and out of the cabin up north or into a spot to hunt. Some of the guys on here need the beefed up hub locks but my autos work for what I use them for.