Locking Hubs
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
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Locking Hubs
Locking Hubs
Just notice this in the manual page 302
The vehicle should not be driven in 4x4 high or low with the lock hubs set to auto as this condition may damage driveline system components.
Page 303 It then goes on to say !!
Automatic operation of the hub locks is recommended and will increase fuel economy.
Well WTF is the right setting for hubs when using 4x4 once in awhile LOCK or AUTO
Just notice this in the manual page 302
The vehicle should not be driven in 4x4 high or low with the lock hubs set to auto as this condition may damage driveline system components.
Page 303 It then goes on to say !!
Automatic operation of the hub locks is recommended and will increase fuel economy.
Well WTF is the right setting for hubs when using 4x4 once in awhile LOCK or AUTO
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 4,254
From: Kaysville Utah
I think the key word is: Shouldn't be driven in 4x4H or 4x4L with the hubs locked. And they probably should have added, on dry surfaces.
I've never had any problem in my 4 trucks over the past 12 years with leaving it in Auto all the time.
I've never had any problem in my 4 trucks over the past 12 years with leaving it in Auto all the time.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20,161
Likes: 15,967
From: Wisconsin
Locking the hubs is just that. They are positively engaged for your critical traction needs. Auto is engagement as traction is required and this may or may not be fast enough to prevent you from getting stuck.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
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From: Chico,CA.
Assuming the vacuum system is operating properly, AUTO is the same as LOCK once its shifted into any of the 4x4 modes. The only reason for the manual LOCK position is in case the vacuum system fails. The hubs only have two actual positions, in and out. The book makes no sense. -- Savage, I was just reading your signature and see you have 3 Recons. HA! Me too! Wife and two boys. They sure are trouble free little machines,aren't they?! I do wish they had oil filters though. Not sure whose great idea THAT was.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Wisconsin
Those Recons would run without oil and a hole through the block...they are awesome machines!
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: herriman utah
here is what I think, consider it a good thing ford has the style of hubs they do, dodge currently does not have a way of disconnecting the front driveline when not in 4x4 this adds wear to the 4x4 system and looses about 1mpg as a result. the 2013 dodge models are supposed to correct this. but with my dodges I was replacing front u joints on the axles and front drive shaft before 100k miles.
auto just means a vacuum is applied to the hubs and locks them, manual is lock without the vacuum, it mearly means your front diff will be spinning. IMO if you plan on using the 4WD system quite a bit, shifting in and out. I think its best to go ahead and use lock because the front driveline will already be spun up and it will make for a smoother shift. without there can be some clunking that doesn't sound good.
auto just means a vacuum is applied to the hubs and locks them, manual is lock without the vacuum, it mearly means your front diff will be spinning. IMO if you plan on using the 4WD system quite a bit, shifting in and out. I think its best to go ahead and use lock because the front driveline will already be spun up and it will make for a smoother shift. without there can be some clunking that doesn't sound good.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
My '97 still starts and runs great.
Despite me putting it on its handlebars twice this year for the first/second time in it's machine life.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 233
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Which printing of the owners manual do you have? My 4th printing manual has this statement on page 301 (nothing on page 302):
The vehicle should not be driven in 4x4 high or 4x4 low modes with the hub locks set to FREE as this condition may damage driveline system components.
This statement is in the MSOS (Manual Shift On Stop) section of the manual. No mention is made in the ESOF (Electronic Shift On the Fly) section.
The vehicle should not be driven in 4x4 high or 4x4 low modes with the hub locks set to FREE as this condition may damage driveline system components.
This statement is in the MSOS (Manual Shift On Stop) section of the manual. No mention is made in the ESOF (Electronic Shift On the Fly) section.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,676
Likes: 913
From: Milford, MI
here is what I think, consider it a good thing ford has the style of hubs they do, dodge currently does not have a way of disconnecting the front driveline when not in 4x4 this adds wear to the 4x4 system and looses about 1mpg as a result. the 2013 dodge models are supposed to correct this. but with my dodges I was replacing front u joints on the axles and front drive shaft before 100k miles....
Assuming the vacuum system is operating properly, AUTO is the same as LOCK once its shifted into any of the 4x4 modes. The only reason for the manual LOCK position is in case the vacuum system fails. The hubs only have two actual positions, in and out. The book makes no sense. -- .
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 343
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I have 30k on my 2011, I am taking it back to the dealer today for the 3rd time because I keep getting "CHECK 4x4" light, according to the book it says its a "4x4 fault" says nothing else. I would shift from 4x2 to 4x4 just fine, do what I need to do and then when I shift from 4x4 back to 4x2 I get this notification. I have had the truck for just over two years now, it has not done this every time I have used 4x4 but when it does happen it gets stuck in 4x4, I half to shut the truck down for about 40mins then when I come back its magically back into 2H. one time I had this happened I had about 8k trailer and could not get it out of 4x4 tried everything I could while on the phone with the mechanic at my dealer. Other than this issue the truck has performed flawless and has exceeded my expectations on everything that I have done with it. it’s getting so frustrating fortunately I have been around my own property when this has happened and has not been a huge problem to shut it down and come back later but sooner or later it’s going to put me in a jam if it keeps doing this. We’ll see what they replace this time. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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