Not-so-Automatic Hubs
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 25
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From: Hermiston Oregon
Not-so-Automatic Hubs
First of all, Hello everyone, glad to be here. I have a 99 250SD with 150,000 mi and not quite automatic hubs. The questions I have are:
1) Is there an easy way to troubleshoot the automatic locking system, and is it worth it?
2) Does the manual locker of the Auto/lock hubs quit as well, or do they last?
3) This is the first truck I have owned with manual hubs. Can I drive at freeway speeds 60-70mph with the manual hubs locked in (not in 4WD)?
If this has already been addressed somewhere, could someone please point me in that direction.
Thank You for any info.
Rodney
1) Is there an easy way to troubleshoot the automatic locking system, and is it worth it?
2) Does the manual locker of the Auto/lock hubs quit as well, or do they last?
3) This is the first truck I have owned with manual hubs. Can I drive at freeway speeds 60-70mph with the manual hubs locked in (not in 4WD)?
If this has already been addressed somewhere, could someone please point me in that direction.
Thank You for any info.
Rodney
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 145
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1) Yes, if either front wheel doesn't spin in 4x4, they need replaced/rebuilt.
2) Yes and No, I have heard mixed opinions on this. Most say they are more reliable. But some say they are just as bad or worse. I generally hear better things about the MileMarker hubs than the Warn hubs. I am waiting till mine kick the bucket to try the MileMarkers. Though it is nice not having to get out.
3) I would not recommend that. Though I have heard of people driving around with them frozen in lock for upwards of a year.
2) Yes and No, I have heard mixed opinions on this. Most say they are more reliable. But some say they are just as bad or worse. I generally hear better things about the MileMarker hubs than the Warn hubs. I am waiting till mine kick the bucket to try the MileMarkers. Though it is nice not having to get out.
3) I would not recommend that. Though I have heard of people driving around with them frozen in lock for upwards of a year.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
You can easily troubleshoot the system. I had problems with both my '99 and '01 failing to lock and unlock randomly. I hated driving 200 miles on the freeway and discovering that one hub was locked and would not unlock itself. I like the Ford autohub design alllowing a 'lock override', but as badly engineered as they are, they should have had an 'unlock override' to unlock them when they were stuck in the locked position.
If Summit Racing still has Milemarker hubs for $94, buy them and never look back.
And yes, I remember the Chevy commercial with the 'poor Ford owner having to get out in the mud to lock his hubs'. I have 2 Toyotas and a Chevy with manual hubs, so it's 2nd nature to me to lock them. Buy some '05 Ford wheel center caps when you're done - they are shallower and allow easier access to the locking hub.
If Summit Racing still has Milemarker hubs for $94, buy them and never look back.
And yes, I remember the Chevy commercial with the 'poor Ford owner having to get out in the mud to lock his hubs'. I have 2 Toyotas and a Chevy with manual hubs, so it's 2nd nature to me to lock them. Buy some '05 Ford wheel center caps when you're done - they are shallower and allow easier access to the locking hub.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 145
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You can disconnect said vacuum line to make them into fully manual hubs.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 62
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remove the vacume hoses from the nipple on the kuckle. put a vacume pump on the nipple and see if it holds. if not the seals are bad in the nuckle. if it holds then it should lock in. if your truck is a diesel the electric vacume pump may be bad?
