I know the ESOF hubs can be used as manual hubs, but is there a difference in the quality of the hub? I need to buy new hubs to go with my manual transfer case. I am finding that brand new the manual hubs are more expensive than the ESOF ones...what gives? Wouldn't you think the auto hubs would be more expensive?

 

Never heard that before....manuals have always been a lot cheaper than the factory units. I would think during the factory as manuals will work just fine.

 

If your looking to swap hub's on a 2006 (as in your Sig), Warn calls it a "free spin kit" & it will cost a couple Grand
Not the same as the 1999-2004 Hub's which were easy/cheap to convert.

Which is why i didn't buy it (spending $K's other places), iam currently in the process of making sure u can actually use the factory Auto Hub's as Manual so that the axle shafts aren't constantly spinning....

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...05-trucks.html

 

You can use the factory auto hubs if you already have them. I am doing a 4wd conversion so I don't have any hub locks at all. I will spend the 300 bucks on OEM locks before I hit up the free spins

 

yeap i do have the factory Auto's & they work perfect, its just that i hate the fact there always spinning my drive-line wasting fuel & causing wear

 

how are they spinning your drive-line? There should be no motion in the front drive-line unless 4x4 is engaged and the hubs are locked...

 

In the 2005+ trucks the axle shafts are "always" spinning, due to vacuum & it drives me nuts.
Some will say they dont but i guarantee that if u pay attention, they are always spinning around down there which wastes fuel (probably very minimal) & most important it wears U-Joints & i believe generates un-wanted heat in the Hub bearing.

 

is that just on the Auto hubs? I have never owned anything that didn't have manual t case and hub locks. I know for a fact that my manual t case doesn't spin the front axle shaft when in 2Hi and with the hubs unlocked it only spins the front wheels on the unit bearing and doesn't spin the axle shafts/u-joints.

 

Yeap Auto Hub issue
Actually back when i was a late teenager i had a 1990 Bronco-2 & then a 1994 Explorer. Both had electric Auto style hubs but the axle's didn't spin on those, i dont know why these new vacuum hub's spin the axles all the time
I do know that Warn will be glad to sell u a "free spin" kit for your 2005+ SuperDuty for a few thousand $$$

 

What if the solenoid craps out like in my case recently. Does that affect the spinning or not?

 

On your Transfer Case......No
The Hub's will still spin your axle shafts, also let me say that the Front Drive Shaft (between T.C. & F.Axle) is NOT spinning guy's. Just the outer axle shaft's at the wheel's.

In Kruzer's case you just wont be able to engage the T.C.

A little note on this, while ive never had to try this on either of my SD's my Bronco2 & Explorer both back in the day would require a "love tap" at times to get that solenoid on T.C. to engage

 

For 2005 and up, Warn makes both the manuals and the auto hubs so I don't think there's much of a quality difference. But where are you looking that you see the autos cheaper than the manuals? Fordparts.com shows the auto for $203/ea and the manuals for $173/ea. I'm sure they're even cheaper from Tousley.

 

No, that is not correct. If the hubs are functioning properly, the axle should not spin at all when the hubs are not locked.

If you axle is spinning when the hubs are not locked, your hubs are not working properly.

 

Any way to test em
& repair w/out replacing completely

*Any time i would go out, jack up the Truck & spin either front wheel's those damn axle shafts are turning