Locking Hubcaps Questions
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Earth
Locking Hubcaps Questions
Ok, I have 4x4 and I want to know if I leave the manual hub caps in the "LOCKED" position will that cause any problems in the long run, IE will I damage any thing or can that cause any thing else to break?
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 46
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From: Endwell, NY
If I'm thinking of it correctly, yes it will cause extra wear and tear. Basically when they're locked, the front axles are connected to the wheels and that causes the front diff to spin at all times - as well as certain gears in the transfer case. When they're unlocked, the front wheels are free-spinning.
I guess that's the easiest way to think of it.
I guess that's the easiest way to think of it.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Earth
geez you guys are quick, 5 min and i already have a responce 
, ok so the gears and all that should be fine as is just as long as im not thrashing the truck? i just want to be assured that leaving the hubs locked won't cause my truck to break down and strand me some where...
, ok so the gears and all that should be fine as is just as long as im not thrashing the truck? i just want to be assured that leaving the hubs locked won't cause my truck to break down and strand me some where...
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
It won't cause your truck to break down. Some argue that it will cause your front end to wear out prematurely, but I've never heard of anyone saying they wore out their front end. It will definitely affect your mileage though.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2011
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I know when i forget and take off down the road it handles like trash. There is no mistaking when you forgot to unlock them. I have a dana trac-lok limited slip in mine though so yours may act different. My 84 is just an open diff front end and I cannot tell when it is locked in going down the road. I have drove 40 miles at the time with them locked in and it never hurt anything as long as you transfer case is in 2h.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Imperial, MO
I'm wondering the same thing. It's one thing if you're driving in snow and want to be able to shift in/out of 4 HI when necessary, but driving with them locked year round? Why?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Earth
its just a question i wanted to ask and get an answer for as i didn't know and wanted to educate my self more lol, i don't plan on locking them till any snow hits and even then i don't think it will be a big deal with my truck since our storms (even tho been bad lately) don't last long so i plan to keep them locked in winter incase I need the 4 wheel drive part...
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 46
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From: Endwell, NY
its just a question i wanted to ask and get an answer for as i didn't know and wanted to educate my self more lol, i don't plan on locking them till any snow hits and even then i don't think it will be a big deal with my truck since our storms (even tho been bad lately) don't last long so i plan to keep them locked in winter incase I need the 4 wheel drive part...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Imperial, MO
Typically, if I actually have to lock mine in, there isn't any traffic to hold up.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Roseville, MI.
I actually had to do that once and had to be carefull not to slip and fall in the process. Everybody was tryin to figure out what the heck i was doing.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
I do miss that Bronco though.