Hi: 1999 4 wheel drive diesel F250. I have read that it should not really matter if I lock my hubs or not while in 2 wheel drive - unless the stick shift is in 4 wheel drive those posts said that even if locked the front differential should spin freely. But when I have my hubs locked and the stick shift in 2 wheel drive it seems like there is still some grabbing of the wheels (like I am in some sort of partial 4 wheel drive?) Is that normal? or is there something wrong with my front differential? Thanks for the help!

 

Have an 01 f250 diesel 4x4. Normally it shouldn't be an issue. The owners manual says to have the hubs locked for a least a mile each month to lube the axle shafts. With the hubs locked and transfer case in 2wd, at least one axle shaft and the driveshaft are still going to turn. So you will still have some resistance. It shouldn't be as grabby as when 4x4 is engaged and turning. Probably a good time to check the front driveline. This fall I had to replace the front hubs, have the front driveshaft repaired at a machine shop ($430 neither a home mechanic or the Ford dealer can replace the double cardan joint) and found no gear oil in the front differential. Truck has 385k miles on it so normal wear. If you're doing a lot of highway driving, I would have them unlocked; city driving is fine with them locked.