Based on the input of other members on here regarding a squealing noise, I went and checked the hubs - sure as ***** they have been in the "LOCKED" position since new.

Its a 2016 F-250, 6.2L gas truck with the electronic shift on the fly transfer case.

I have put right at 22,000 miles on it like this, frequently at 70-80 mph.

What are the odds I have damaged it and is there anything I should do now that I discovered it - other than put them both in "AUTO".

Appreciate any advice.

BTW - truck has been to the dealer twice and not once was this noticed. They blamed the squealing on the brakes which I knew it wasn't.

 

There might be some extra wear and tear on the front end but unless you plan on putting well over 100k on the truck I don't think you'll notice the wear. The biggest thing you'll notice is a drop in MPGs from leaving the hubs locked in.

The only problem I've encountered from leaving the hubs locked in for a long time is the dust seal for the pinion seal on the front axle will start to squeak, replacing the seal and bearing(they come as a complete unit)will make the sound go away. I've had to replace this part twice in the four years I've had the truck which I can't figure out because I know guys with SDs that never unlock their hubs and don't have any issues.

 

Thanks! I do plan on keeping the truck long term - just feel like an idiot for not checking it. I believe you hit the nail on the head with - "dust seal for the pinion seal on the front axle will start to squeak, replacing the seal and bearing (they come as a complete unit)will make the sound go away". I just need to get the dealer to stop blaming the brakes!

 

My hubs were in the locked position when purchased new as well. Only put a couple hundred on mine before I noticed.

 

Switch it back to auto

 

I have run my hubs locked for at least 60% of the over 100K miles on my'03 and have had no problems. Years ago these trucks did not come with lockouts as standard equipment and people put a ton of miles on them with no issue. Relax and don't worry about it. Also it is a GOOD idea to lock them once a month to make sure everything is lubed and exercised, you front axle and steering u-joints will thank you.

 

Kind of a dumb question but .... why would you ever want to leave the front hubs in the "locked" position on a electronic shift on the fly (ESOF) equipped truck?

What advantage could / would it provided? Never really understood the principal of having lockable hubs with a ESOF transfer case. What am I missing?

 

Should only be used as a back up imho idk thats why i just prefer manual hubs

 

It will be fine, most of my trucks are always locked it because I always need 4x4 on job sites, and I'm too lazy to lock and unlock them many times a day, every day.

My old company I worked for was the same, one particular truck had 160k on it with the hubs almost never unlocked

 

When was the last time anyone ever unlocked the hubs on a Dodge?

 

Accidentally double posted!

 

Because the Ford auto hubs dont always engage like they should. Might be a vacuum leak, sticky hub, gremlins, who knows, but it does happen. I manually lock mine when I cant afford to have the front end not grab exactly when I need it to.

 

I now live in snow country and 4wd is used a lot for months at a time. With my older excursion it didn't always lock the hubs when it was really cold out every time so it was insurance to know 4wd would work when needed. Bought a new 250 this winter and even with being careful you will have a clunky shift every so often when things aren't in sync. With the front hubs locked it is always a smooth transition from 2wd to 4wd even if you have to hit it in a hurry. Probably isn't doing any damage but it just sounds bad. So around town I'll leave them locked in the winter but if I'm going on a long trip where 2wd is used a lot I'll unlock them for the mpg savings as well as wear and tear even with my 2016. When I lived in Texas I never locked the hubs since 4wd was rarely used outside of trips to the north. Not sure if that is a good reason to leave them locked (especially on the new truck) but it seems to work better for me.

 

Same here - manually lock mine for the winter season.

In the summer I'll lock them ever once and awhile just to make sure they stay moving ok

 

I run mine locked in the winter also. It doesn't hurt anything.