New here to forums. Have learned alot by reading posts. It's a great site with alot of expertise people. My question may sound like a dumb one but i'll ask it any way. I have a 02 F250 Super Duty crew cab 7.3 Diesel. Does some of these trucks just come with ESOF hubs that you can only shift to 4wd by the switch in the cab? Or do all of them have a manual rotator on the hub? Mine has no writing or markings on them and don't seem to rotate by hand. This info. will lead me to ask more questions to repair ongoing problem. Thanks in advance.

 

All of the 4 wheel drive trucks have hubs. The ESOF trucks have hubs that can be switched between AUTO and LOCK. The manual hubs can be switched between FREE and LOCK.

Often, wheels will be installed that cover up the hubs. The owner who does that sometimes learns a harsh lesson about why the hubs should not be covered.

 

First, counterclockwise is unlocked. Second, if you cannot turn either hub by hand, hit them with a bit of WD-40. If they still wont turn, replace them. Even the ESOF trucks have a manual hub, so if your truck has this option (real men turn thier hubs and shift thier transfer case) make sure to get the correct hubs.

 

Thanks for the info. I will try to lock them into 4wd when it gets daylight. We just got hit with our first snow here in WNC mountains and where we live will need 4wd. I just had front wheel bearings and assemblies and upper and lower ball joints replaced by an auto repair shop. When i got it back, the 4wd would not work. (It did before i took it to them.) I took it back to them, and they said it wasn't anything they did that caused it not to work. "They worked on the "mechanical side" of it" They said, after they looked at it a 2nd time, it was not pulling vacumn to the hubs from the solenoid/valve, that it was bad. I purchased a new one from the Ford dealership and replaced it the same way it came off. Still no 4wd. I inspected the lines, visually, but hadnt had a chance to pull a vacumn on the lines with a pump. Was goin to purchase one today. The lines looked to be in great shape, but know looks can be decieving. I've looked over the threads and studied them intently, and am learning more about my truck each day thanks to this forum. Thanks for all the advice you guys give out. Please continue giving me advice and direction on my problem. It is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Just like a screw, remember righty tighty (locked), lefty loosey (free or auto).

 

Okay, i sprayed a little wd-40 on the hubs and let it sit a while. Then they finally turned clockwise and locked in. Now when using it in 4wd do i need to cap off the vacumn lines coming from the solenoid to the hubs, as they are locked in manually?

 

no.

the vac lines stay as they are, its all part of the system.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice and info. It is greatly appreciated and used. I really love this site. I stay on it reading threads and posts at all my spare time. There some really good info. and people on here. Thanks again and i'm sure i will have more questions later.