Auto Lock Front Hub Question
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 872
Likes: 18
From: Jasper, Mn
Auto Lock Front Hub Question
Hi all, I recently had a wheel bearing and u joint go out on my front passengers side and I just spent the day repairing that. My hubs are getting pretty stiff to turn, and look fairly old, however on the one I can still easily read "Lock" and "Free" in the two different positions. The selector part of the hub itself looks very similar to my dad's 02 with auto-locks but they have never auto-locked when the selector is in the "Free" position, so I am pretty sure they are manual. I have the ESOF **** on the dash and I believe all the appropriate vacuum hosing running down to the wheels. Can I put auto-locks on my truck?
Sorry if I missed anything, in a hurry to get out the door.
Thanks,
Baatzy
Sorry if I missed anything, in a hurry to get out the door.
Thanks,
Baatzy
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Onlsow, NC
Unless it was changed out you have should have auto locks. But you may have a vacuum leak. Turn the A/C or heat in your truck and have it set to either the floor or vents. Then turn on the 4x4 and give it a minute or so. If the air moves to the defrost setting on it's own, you have a vacuum leak.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 10
See if there similarities to these pictures...
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 120
From: Mcdonough, GA
Baatzy,
Are you the original owner? if you have the switch on the dash and vacuum lines to the front knuckles then it sure sounds like someone stuck manual hubs on a esof truck. auto hubs should work if installed and there are no vacuum leaks.
Are you the original owner? if you have the switch on the dash and vacuum lines to the front knuckles then it sure sounds like someone stuck manual hubs on a esof truck. auto hubs should work if installed and there are no vacuum leaks.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 872
Likes: 18
From: Jasper, Mn
I am not the original owner, my assumption was that the previous owner(s) put manual in at some point. I have off and on vacuum leaks, I recently developed one but it coincided with my wheal bearing and u-joint failure, so I have to check again and see if it still diverts to defrost after being put in 4x4.
Tom, thanks for the link, I was going to look for that to see if my hubs were serviceable at all, as they are getting very hard to turn.
So it sounds like I can put the auto-locks in, that's good news. I want the auto-lock because I do a lot of highway driving that can be in touch and go winter conditions, or where I go from paved road to off-road around the farm, and with my LSD not working worth a crap, I need to have that 4x4 to move me along, I hate having to stop and walk through the mud and slime and track it all back in my pickup.
Thanks, Baatz
Tom, thanks for the link, I was going to look for that to see if my hubs were serviceable at all, as they are getting very hard to turn.
So it sounds like I can put the auto-locks in, that's good news. I want the auto-lock because I do a lot of highway driving that can be in touch and go winter conditions, or where I go from paved road to off-road around the farm, and with my LSD not working worth a crap, I need to have that 4x4 to move me along, I hate having to stop and walk through the mud and slime and track it all back in my pickup.
Thanks, Baatz
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 269
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From: Huntington WV
If you have the dash switch then you should have the auto/lock hubs which sounds like you didn't. Auto Lock PN# 1C3Z-3B396-CB You can find them new on Ebay and such for about $200 ea or look for some used ones. You will need to check and see if your front knuckle will hold a vacuum and the seal has not been compromised. You need a vacuum pulse to lock and unlock the hubs.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...nderstand.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ped-workn.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...nderstand.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ped-workn.html
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 872
Likes: 18
From: Jasper, Mn
I will have to start looking for some, maybe treat myself here eventually. 
As of right now I seem to be good on the no vacuum leak part, although I have no idea if my pulse solenoid is working or not.
Thanks,
Baatzy
As of right now I seem to be good on the no vacuum leak part, although I have no idea if my pulse solenoid is working or not.Thanks,
Baatzy
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Huntington WV
If you want to keep the EOSF working, please invest in a vacuum hand pump and a vacuum gage. You need to Tee the gage into the front hub to verify no leaks. Then you need the pump to simulate a vacuum pulse to lock and unlock the hub. Like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-Blue-Point-GA-661-Vacuum-Pump-/191485916385?hash=item2c957334e1&item=191485916385&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,889
Likes: 779
From: SoCal/Wyoming
Baatzy,
If you don't like getting in and out all the time just leave them locked and engage the transfer case when you need them and disengage the transfer case when on dry pavement. I know plenty of folks that lock them at the start of winter and don't unlock them until spring. Now if I was going on a long trip I might unlock them but for day-to-day driving, no worries
If you don't like getting in and out all the time just leave them locked and engage the transfer case when you need them and disengage the transfer case when on dry pavement. I know plenty of folks that lock them at the start of winter and don't unlock them until spring. Now if I was going on a long trip I might unlock them but for day-to-day driving, no worries
FTE Remembers
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 14,988
Likes: 1,151
From: Savannah, GA
I converted mine to Warns, never been happier!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...onversion.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...onversion.html
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 872
Likes: 18
From: Jasper, Mn
I've got the Mity-Vac for doing the testing, so things are good there.
Dan, right now that is how I currently operate, and its not bad for the most part, but it would be nice to not have all that stuff spinning all the time...I just did u-joint and wheel bearing on the right side. Not all that fun...
My dad's 02 has the auto-locks and i like them alot.
Dan, right now that is how I currently operate, and its not bad for the most part, but it would be nice to not have all that stuff spinning all the time...I just did u-joint and wheel bearing on the right side. Not all that fun...
My dad's 02 has the auto-locks and i like them alot.