Hey guys, I'm having an issue with my manual locking hubs I think. I can shift my transfer case into 4x4 and the driveshaft and axles will spin. When I turn my hubs into the lock position they don't seem to be actually locking in and the wheels aren't driven. We have had some nights in the negative digits and most days in the teens and 20s recently. Is it possible that my hubs are just frozen? Everything was working fine about a month ago the last time I used 4x4.

Any input is appreciated!

 

Take them apart and examine them - they come out fairly easily. Probably time to clean them up and regrease them if nothing else.

 

Alright. I haven't had them off in quite a while.

I parked it in the garage tonight. A little above freezing temp. If they still don't do anything tomorrow after the whole truck thaws then I'll take them apart tomorrow night.

Thanks for the quick reply

 

I've had hubs not engage before and had to take a propane torch to heat the grease up. The heavy wheel bearing grease holds the hub clutch in place and doesn't allow it to slide into place to engage. I've started to use a moly cold storage grease on mine and it helps in the really cold weather that we have been having. And you want to make sure that the hub clutch is fully engaged if you are planning on applying full power to it.

 

Working on the snowblower gearbox recently makes me think that something like Stens "00" grease would be best for hubs that rarely get engaged except in freezing temperatures.
John Deere "0" cornpicker grease seems an option too.

NLGI consistency is measured at 25C (77*F)
That #2 is pretty thick even without all the dust and metallic wear particles that have built up over the years.

I just replaced my hubs because the sintered metal splines were blown out due to a failed U-joint.

 

I sprayed around the hubs this morning with warm penetrating oil. Left the hubs in the locked position and drove to work. They locked in after 6-8 miles this time. Gonna leave them locked for now, and I'll take them apart on a warmer day, haha

 

rocking forward and reverse helps them lock also. . .but taking them apart to make sure theyre in working order (which includes greased properly with no water and dirt) is always a good idea once in a while.

 

And "greased properly" means very little grease (at least compared to most things you grease, like wheel bearings). If you put a lot of grease on manual hubs they will tend to stick.

 

Lighter grease sounds like a good idea. Had mine apart late last summer and used Lucas Thick N Tacky. Was not thinking how it would work in the near zero temps we have had lately. I normally lock my hubs before the first accumulating snow and leave them in until its about done.
I think I'll leave them locked for now.

Todd

 

I'll try to find something good to grease them with.

I usually only lock them when I'm going out and know I need 4x4. I guess I'm just trying to avoid any un-needed wear on the front end and the joints

 

Correct. They tell you NOT to grease them actually.

But a nice THIN coat of lithium grease works well