Tulsa got its first snow yesterday so I was able to try out 4x4 for the first time since buying my excursion in may.

The hubs turn easily by hand left and right. I had the selector turned to the far left which I believed would be "Auto" and use the pulse. Well on the drve home I moved the dash switch to 4 High and the dash light came on as expected.

I thought I was all good but my wife confirmed that back wheels were pushing but the front weren't pulling.

So, I rotated the selector all the way to the right "Locked" and the truck acted right with the front pulling and rear pushing.

My internal vent moves from defrost to floor so I don't believe I have a vac issue. Are my hubs shot or did I not select the correct position.

So are my factory hubs broken?

 

No your hubs are not broken, they just need servicing. It should be done regularly, and is often neglected.

I'm also not one to run out and replace factory hubs with WARN. If my factory hubs still manually lock, I am not going to go out and buy expensive replacements just to do the same thing. That said, my auto lock works great, almost every time unless things arent aligned properly (I usually dont engage 4x4 until I need it). If my hubs ever blew up though, I would get WARNs, because they are cheaper than factory hubs, and I would just have to get used to getting out of the truck. And maybe get a boot brush.

 

On my 1999F-250 I replaced the OEM hubs with Warn. In winter, I leave them locked and drive in 2WD except for trips on the highway.

 

Okay, I need clarification. I thought, from looking at my manual, manual lock is counter-clockwise? Auto setting is all the way clockwise? My markings are long gone on the hub.

 

on my truck in signature spin ccw for auto / cw for manual lock