do the push button 4x4 hubs suck?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 544
Likes: 2
Yeah, I would likely put on a set of warns or MM in that situation too. That's what I'm talking about though. If they won't lock at all, then yeah, put on a pair of manuals. I see a lot of guys saying that they wouldn't auto lock, so they put on manuals. Which I don't get. They already had factory manuals at that point. I was just wondering if there was something I was missing. Thanks.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: Newberry Springs, CA
No prob Craig.
I see where you're coming from.
I would love it if my auto hubs worked. It seems that maintenance is UBER critical on them, and if I had the truck new it wouldn't have been a problem as I'm pretty good about maintaining stuff. But my truck had 163,000 when I got it, and the guy I bought it from obviously didn't feel the same way.
I see where you're coming from.
I would love it if my auto hubs worked. It seems that maintenance is UBER critical on them, and if I had the truck new it wouldn't have been a problem as I'm pretty good about maintaining stuff. But my truck had 163,000 when I got it, and the guy I bought it from obviously didn't feel the same way.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
From: Central Kansas
FYI, you can still shift to 4hi at up to 55mph just like the ESOF. Of course that's what the manual says, I'm not sure I'd personally try it at 55, but I've shifted mine going 15 or 20 and it engaged fine. You get the same benefits just w/out the auto locking hubs. Not really an issue though - in winter for example, I'll just lock my hubs and not engage the t-case unless I need it.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
I have the factory "auto lock" hubs. They didnt work when I bought the truck. Fixed a vacuum leak, and re greased them and they work like a dream now. I like them because its better than getting out into the mud to lock. Plus if they do fail, I still can manually lock them. Which is why I dont get why people complain about them. They will never completely fail you unless youre doing something crazy.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Medina Ohio
Mechanically I don't understand the hatred and malice towards a [AUTO-LOCK] vs [UNLOCK-LOCK], the auto vacuum hubs are way better. When they work you don't have to get out of the truck, when they don't you just have regular locking hubs...
Vacuum is used by the fuel pressure regulator(FPRC), and idle air control (IAC), and a bunch of other systems on the engine, as well as the HVAC. And if you have auto hubs they stop working too. Vacuum leak = bad.
Vacuum is used by the fuel pressure regulator(FPRC), and idle air control (IAC), and a bunch of other systems on the engine, as well as the HVAC. And if you have auto hubs they stop working too. Vacuum leak = bad.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
FYI, you can still shift to 4hi at up to 55mph just like the ESOF. Of course that's what the manual says, I'm not sure I'd personally try it at 55, but I've shifted mine going 15 or 20 and it engaged fine. You get the same benefits just w/out the auto locking hubs. Not really an issue though - in winter for example, I'll just lock my hubs and not engage the t-case unless I need it.
I have no problem shifting into 4X4 Hi at 40 or 50 MPH. I love my manual hubs and transfer case. Move the lever, and there's no question you're in 4X4. Move the lever again, and there's no question you're in 4X2.
I always make sure my foot is off the accelerator when engaging/disengaging 4X4. In winter conditions, even light throttle can cause some spin with 570 lb.ft. of torque and you want the front and rear tires rolling at exactly the same speed when using the transfer case.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
From: Central Kansas
Good to know - thanks! I guess I was just scared to try it. And I agree 100% about the manual t-case, that's the whole reason I search them out when looking for a truck. I've never bought the argument about having to get out in the mud to lock the hubs - if it's muddy they should already be locked in! If there's any question at all as to traction, I just lock them before hand.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
Let me be the first to actually answer the question in the title of this thread.
Yes Virginia, by definition vacuum hubs suck.
Yes Virginia, by definition vacuum hubs suck.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
Perfect logic! Of course, it doesn't address the fact that thousands of hub vacuum failures have not resulted in HVAC or IAC failures.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Thats because the failure is hardly ever in the vacuum pump. It's usually in the hoses to the hubs. But he's right. If the pump failed, you'd know immediately.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 136
FYI, you can still shift to 4hi at up to 55mph just like the ESOF. Of course that's what the manual says, I'm not sure I'd personally try it at 55, but I've shifted mine going 15 or 20 and it engaged fine. You get the same benefits just w/out the auto locking hubs. Not really an issue though - in winter for example, I'll just lock my hubs and not engage the t-case unless I need it.
I'm not trying to argue with you but I am going to write out what my 2008 manual states about shifting from 2H to 4H for the Manual Shift on STOP.
Shifting from 2H (2WD) to 4h (4x4 High)
Engage the locking hubs by rotating
the hub lock control from FREE to
LOCK, then move the transfer case
lever from 2H (2WD) to 4H (4x4
High) at a stop or a vehicle speed
below 5 mph (8 km/h)
Going back to 2H is writting them same.
This is what my manual states. My 2006 manual states that the engagement for the manual shift was 3mph or less.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 136
Mechanically I don't understand the hatred and malice towards a [AUTO-LOCK] vs [UNLOCK-LOCK], the auto vacuum hubs are way better. When they work you don't have to get out of the truck, when they don't you just have regular locking hubs...
Vacuum is used by the fuel pressure regulator(FPRC), and idle air control (IAC), and a bunch of other systems on the engine, as well as the HVAC. And if you have auto hubs they stop working too. Vacuum leak = bad.
Vacuum is used by the fuel pressure regulator(FPRC), and idle air control (IAC), and a bunch of other systems on the engine, as well as the HVAC. And if you have auto hubs they stop working too. Vacuum leak = bad.
I don't hate the hubs, I just want the mechanical shifter.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
You can find it by letting the truck sit for a while, then turning the key to ON but not starting the motor. You will hear the pump.