4WD exercise
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From: The Great Northwet
4WD exercise
When I had my Bronco, it was recommended that you engage the hubs/shift into 4H monthly to stir up the lubricants. Always did it on the dirt alley behind the house.
Is this still the case?
Is this still the case?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: 46th State
I haven't read in the owners manual or any service bulletin where there is a recommendation to do that. I asked the same question to the dealership service manager and he said that he wasn't aware of any recommendations. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt anything but I wouldn't worry much about it if you didn't do it.
Its Comin Right for us!
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: GA
Same basic makeup as years past, not nessecary dependsing on climate i doit
Front axles dont turn unless hubs are locked manually or 4x4 engaged.
its good to spin up the front diff to highway speed for long enough to heat up the gear oil and burn off any condensation that may be in the top side.
I bought a dana 60 front one time that i could tell had never been engaged, it had a line on the gears and housing where the oil stopped and there was some surface rust above the oil line.
Keeps the hubs from sticking as well actually using then
I would reccomend locking the hubs once or twoce a year and driving to work or something.
Front axles dont turn unless hubs are locked manually or 4x4 engaged.
its good to spin up the front diff to highway speed for long enough to heat up the gear oil and burn off any condensation that may be in the top side.
I bought a dana 60 front one time that i could tell had never been engaged, it had a line on the gears and housing where the oil stopped and there was some surface rust above the oil line.
Keeps the hubs from sticking as well actually using then
I would reccomend locking the hubs once or twoce a year and driving to work or something.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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When I go to the city I know I'll be on the road for an hour and do it once a month approximately. I will put in 4hi for a few miles on a straight road then take it out at the beginning of my trip before I get to highway speeds. It will lube everything and have a long enough time to pull it out of 4hi back to free. I learned of this procedure on this site years ago. I have done this on my 2005 since new for 13 years and the 4X4 has always worked and I have never had a hub stuck in lock. I have continued this practice with the 2017.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Minnesota
I think it is not so much about lubricants but more about making sure all of the components are able to engage and disengage properly. It's smart to occasionally engage 4WD just to make sure everything keeps working. Things do "freeze in place" if not exercised. I would do it on a soft, loose, or slippery surface though. You also might consider engaging 4LO once in awhile.
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A few times a year I give the 4x4 system in my F150 a work out. Sometimes, if it is raining, I'll drive a better part of the way home in 4x4.
Or if I'm bored and out at a local park that has a giant gravel lot I'll do it there where I can also get 4x4 low going.
So far, for a 15 year old truck, it has never had an issue with its 4x4 system. Plan to do the same with the 250.
Or if I'm bored and out at a local park that has a giant gravel lot I'll do it there where I can also get 4x4 low going.
So far, for a 15 year old truck, it has never had an issue with its 4x4 system. Plan to do the same with the 250.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: NH
Engaging 4x4 while driving in a straight line is a good idea. Driving most of the way home in 4x4 in the rain is not...simply too much traction available.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Wisconsin
Yes, thats correct. But the F-150's do not have manual locking hubs.
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From: The Great Northwet
By not engaging the transfer case, the front and rear axles are not connected, so they can turn at different rates. The transfer case locks the two drive trains together with no ability to slip.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
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For the F150 guys you could pull the vacuum lines off the IWEs which would cause them to lock in. Just make sure to tape off the ends of the lines and ports on the IWEs so stuff doesn't get in them.