Unlocking the front hubs
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Unlocking the front hubs
I've been told that manually unlocking the front hubs on my '15 F350 dually, might just improve milage. Any concerns about the axle lubrication from being unlocked for extended periods of time? I rarely need the 4WD. Thanks.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,155
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From: Idaho
Hubs
Yes you can save fuel by unlocking your hubs. The hubs are for Manuel use when the switch fails to lock the hubs.
I try to turn my hubs every month or so to verify that are not stuck. But that it.
I try to turn my hubs every month or so to verify that are not stuck. But that it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,665
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From: Cartersville, Ga
I cycle my hubs a few times when I wash my truck. Already down there so might as well. I actually put it in 4x4 to lube everything in the front end up every month or so. I find the best time to do this (for me) is sitting in Atl traffic every Thursday afternoon. I get a good long/straight shot of interstate and let it roll that way till I come up on a turn or traffic picks up.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: North Carolina
Righty Tighty (Locked), Left Loosey (Un-Locked). If I have extended periods of snow I will leave them locked, otherwise they are un-locked. I exercise them about twice a month too in order to keep them moving.
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From: Frederick, MD
leave them in Auto or unlocked manual.
then rotate to locked and drive it about 10 miles once a month unless you are using 4wd.
then rotate to locked and drive it about 10 miles once a month unless you are using 4wd.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
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Fedman,
It is good to lock the hubs to be sure that the differential gears and bearings get lubed periodically. In the old days it was lock the hubs for at least 700 feet every month. So for me, it is on the 15th of every month I drain the fuel/water separator and lock the hubs and drive it around the block or some other one way trip, then unlock them. Keeping them locked will hurt fuel mileage winter and summer, probably by more than 1 mpg, but in North country with snow, I keep them locked most of the winter so I have 4wd immediately, particularly for needing it in deceleration, not needing the hubs to take time to automatically engage.
It is good to lock the hubs to be sure that the differential gears and bearings get lubed periodically. In the old days it was lock the hubs for at least 700 feet every month. So for me, it is on the 15th of every month I drain the fuel/water separator and lock the hubs and drive it around the block or some other one way trip, then unlock them. Keeping them locked will hurt fuel mileage winter and summer, probably by more than 1 mpg, but in North country with snow, I keep them locked most of the winter so I have 4wd immediately, particularly for needing it in deceleration, not needing the hubs to take time to automatically engage.
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