Locked hubs
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: SF
Locked hubs
Well I have posted in heara while back bout my brand new super duty only getting 7 miles a gallon and a sensation coming from the tiers whenever I made a sharp turn or u - turn .
I took it to Ford service a diff one from where I bot it and they told me that my 4x4 hubs were manually locked ; was causing drag on the vehicle and made that thump feeling on turn trying to unlock itself.
OMFG I was pissed I was sold that new vehicle like that I have 3500 miles driving with locked hubs. I asked him bout future problems and he said" I am not aithorized to answer that question"
Anyone know what problems may lie ahead?
I am going to bring this isuue up with my dealer but I KNOW they will do nothing, they kept telling me to drive the vehicle another 1000 miles every time I told them Im still getting 7 miles a gallon.
I took it to Ford service a diff one from where I bot it and they told me that my 4x4 hubs were manually locked ; was causing drag on the vehicle and made that thump feeling on turn trying to unlock itself.
OMFG I was pissed I was sold that new vehicle like that I have 3500 miles driving with locked hubs. I asked him bout future problems and he said" I am not aithorized to answer that question"
Anyone know what problems may lie ahead?
I am going to bring this isuue up with my dealer but I KNOW they will do nothing, they kept telling me to drive the vehicle another 1000 miles every time I told them Im still getting 7 miles a gallon.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: SF
Locked hubs
thx, makes me feel betta.
I just picked up my truck and it was runnin in 4x4 for the engine first 3460 miles, OMFG.
I was pissed , still am pissed , anyone else?
There comp says now I should be gettin 13.5 mpg.
I just picked up my truck and it was runnin in 4x4 for the engine first 3460 miles, OMFG.
I was pissed , still am pissed , anyone else?
There comp says now I should be gettin 13.5 mpg.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Locked hubs
On dry roads you will get terrible mileage with the hubs locked. the only thing that probably happened is a little tire wear and well you know yer 4wd works...Look for the mileage to go up!!!
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Locked hubs
Locking the hubs does nothing to the drive-line at high speeds except gives you a little more vibration in the floor.
As a matter of fact, I've seen Ford recommend locking them once in a while to make sure the gears and seals are lubed. Usually once every 30 days, at least for my old '74 F250. I do it with the '01, and no problems except for the noise you heard when doing a tight turn.
The u-joints in the front axles tend to bind when really pushed to the limit of their travel.
It's really no problem, because if you could do 80MPH with a Dana 60 in the rear (like my '74), you can certainly PUSH a Dana 50/60 in the front at 80 MPH with no torque going to it.
There should be no extra tire wear with the hubs locked - if there is you have problems... I've gotten MAYBE a MPG less than normal with the hubs locked - again, if you see a serious decrease in mileage, you have a problem. The inertia required to spin up the front axles and driveshaft is negligable compared to the weight of the entire truck, and there is certainly very little friction as long as you have lube
ak
As a matter of fact, I've seen Ford recommend locking them once in a while to make sure the gears and seals are lubed. Usually once every 30 days, at least for my old '74 F250. I do it with the '01, and no problems except for the noise you heard when doing a tight turn.
The u-joints in the front axles tend to bind when really pushed to the limit of their travel.
It's really no problem, because if you could do 80MPH with a Dana 60 in the rear (like my '74), you can certainly PUSH a Dana 50/60 in the front at 80 MPH with no torque going to it.
There should be no extra tire wear with the hubs locked - if there is you have problems... I've gotten MAYBE a MPG less than normal with the hubs locked - again, if you see a serious decrease in mileage, you have a problem. The inertia required to spin up the front axles and driveshaft is negligable compared to the weight of the entire truck, and there is certainly very little friction as long as you have lube
ak
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From: SF
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From: Broussard USA
Locked hubs
No all it does is connect the hubs to the axel, so when they are locked you are turning the axel's the ring and pinnion and the front driveshaft with the front tires. All that turning means drag and that means it takes more power to go down the road. That of course means bad MPG.
For 4X4 you must put the lever into 4X4 and lock the hubs of you will not be putting power to them.
The first 4X4 trucks and all the way into the 70's there was no hub disconect, you drove with them locked all the time. When MPG became an issue the disconects were added, later because we are fat and lazy (OK I know I am) auto hubs were introduced.
Even if driving with the hubs locked would have caused a problem, Ford would not and should not warranty the problem. You are supposed to read the owners manule and make your self familiar with the vehicle before putting it on the road. I know that came off sounding bad but it was not mean to. Remember warranty is for MFG defects not owner ignorance!
For 4X4 you must put the lever into 4X4 and lock the hubs of you will not be putting power to them.
The first 4X4 trucks and all the way into the 70's there was no hub disconect, you drove with them locked all the time. When MPG became an issue the disconects were added, later because we are fat and lazy (OK I know I am) auto hubs were introduced.
Even if driving with the hubs locked would have caused a problem, Ford would not and should not warranty the problem. You are supposed to read the owners manule and make your self familiar with the vehicle before putting it on the road. I know that came off sounding bad but it was not mean to. Remember warranty is for MFG defects not owner ignorance!
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Junior User
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From: SF
Locked hubs
Whew!, thx again fellas .
Im still pissed at the dealer though for letting that go, the service mgr. at another Ford shop who discovered it said that irt should of been cheked at the pre-delivery inspection and said I should raise hell with my dealer , but I gues that wont get me anywhere. I'm just glad you folks were here to help me out.
Like my g/friend said after we found this problem out, " Just ask the guys online at that Ford thingy your always on."
Im still pissed at the dealer though for letting that go, the service mgr. at another Ford shop who discovered it said that irt should of been cheked at the pre-delivery inspection and said I should raise hell with my dealer , but I gues that wont get me anywhere. I'm just glad you folks were here to help me out.
Like my g/friend said after we found this problem out, " Just ask the guys online at that Ford thingy your always on."
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Locked hubs
Next time you're at the dealership lookin' around, check out all the superdutys with the hubs in LOCK.
Same thing in parking lots everywhere, people are running around in lock. Maybe they are wheelin' as soon as the leave the parking lot?
Most don't ever use 4wd and think they hubs are auto would be my guess.
Same thing in parking lots everywhere, people are running around in lock. Maybe they are wheelin' as soon as the leave the parking lot?
Most don't ever use 4wd and think they hubs are auto would be my guess.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Locked hubs
Sorry I meant if you drive in 4wd you will get worse mileage and driveline bind on dry roads. I wasn't thinking. I was thinking you were in 4wd.....My bad! I lock my hubs all winter long ..except on any long over 10 mile highway rides. and put it in 4wd when I need it. Never do I hear any noise when just the hubs are locked and steering all the way to one side..
Dick
Dick
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Locked hubs
My brother just had the same problem.....brand new f-350. we realized that the hubs were on auto but failed to disengaged the drivers side. I shook the hub forward and reverese then the hub popped and disengaged. I'm hoping because it was only because it was new and that it wont happen again.
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clearwater1950
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Jul 3, 2013 10:42 PM