I had one side that was "stuck". I would rotate the tires and move the drive shaft. I swapped sides and the sticking went with the hub.

I pulled out Guzzle's instructions and took it apart.

When I was wiggling the inner gear to get the hub apart, it blew apart.

This is the first locking hub that I have taken apart, so I was at a loss.

Since Guzzle's pictures didn't show this spring, I figured that it shouldn't be in there (such power that Guzzle wields over people ).

I think that the previous owner put it in there to make the hubs lock. I haven't tested them. (have sway bar bushings off and can't find someone to press out the old bushings.)

Am I right in not putting this back in.

 

Bob, I think Guzzle's procedure does mention and show that spring. Take a closer look. Also attached another link for auto hub service that does show the spring. Good luck.

2004 F250 ESOF Hub Service

 

The spring is installed compressed in this assembly. A 1/8 turn will lock and unlock it. Sometimes they do come apart when removing.

 

It says "Using an all purpose white grease, place a dab on each slide guide on the nylon assembly that was pulled from the bottom of the hub. Gently work the internal spring to work the grease into the guides. "

It doesn't show the spring, so I didn't think about it being inside the nylon hub.


I will pull it back off and try it again. At least with the spring out, the axle doesn't turn.

Since I can't manually turn either side, I am watching Craig's list and FTE to find some others to rebuild.

Thank for the other pictures, they show the spring very well.