Locking Hubs
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 221
Likes: 3
Locking Hubs
I’m having a bunch of different problems with my 4 wheel drive system on my truck. I’m getting two different error codes when locking it into 4 wheel drive. Sometimes it will say check 4 wheel drive and I have to turn the truck off for it to go away. Other times it says delayed 4 wheel drive, drive ahead. My auto hubs are also not working and when I tried to manually lock them in, one of them came apart. This is the second set of locking hubs installed in the truck. Are there better ones out there that will also lock automatically? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 8
I recommend going to a different dealer. Manual hubs shouldn't just fall apart. IME, there's nothing really wrong with Fords hubs from 1999 on. Warn offers a nice manual hub. I suggest you get your hubs fixed, then keep them locked until you get the other bugs worked out of the system.
The 4wd "pull forward" is normal, especially for 4L. I engage 4wd while rolling slowly usually. 4L while rolling barely, 1-2mph, in neutral. Did "check 4wd" come on, going back to 2wd (no big deal), or going to 4wd?
The 4wd "pull forward" is normal, especially for 4L. I engage 4wd while rolling slowly usually. 4L while rolling barely, 1-2mph, in neutral. Did "check 4wd" come on, going back to 2wd (no big deal), or going to 4wd?
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 221
Likes: 3
Always going into 4 wheel drive. It happens every time. It’s winter here and I need 4 x 4 to get to work in snow. I’m wondering if it may be the 4x 4 actuator. I also never saw the delayed 4x4 message until this year.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
That said, your other problems are ridiculous. You can absolutely shift in and out of 4x4 Hi while moving. You can do this on the electronic shift system or even the manual floorshift version (so long as the hubs are already locked in). I've never had issues shifting in and out of 4x4 high at interstate speed. Just make sure you are not accelerating when you shift since accelerating could cause wheel slip.
The hubs have two positions with the electronic shift version you say you have: Auto and Lock. In auto mode, vacuum is applied through a hose to lock the hubs when you command the truck to shift into 4x4 high or low. When you go back to 2WD, vacuum releases, which disengages the hub. Some vacuum is still needed to fully release the hub, however.
The Lock position performs the same function as a manual locking hub and it is perfectly OK to leave the hubs in this position even on dry ground. You might lose a small amount of fuel economy.
What do you mean by "the hub came apart?"
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 221
Likes: 3
My hubs wouldn’t lock automatically. The truck was in 4x4 but the front wheels were not being powered. So I twisted the hubs to the locked position. While doing this the plastic hub piece that you twist came apart and a plastic disc came out. This is the second set of hubs. They were changed last winter because they were seized. In the summer I never have problems with the auto hubs. It only happens in the winter. I believe there is water in the vacuum lines that is freezing. Also the check 4x4 error . What would this mean?
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 8
"Check 4x4" error means that the microswitch or sensor that tells the ECM the xfer case made it to 4wd, didn't send a signal that it was in 4wd. Maybe it's stuck, maybe it's failed.
How much snow are we talking about? My momo friend just payed me a small fortune, because he had the bad habit of using 4wd all the way to work and not turn it off in grippy sections or turns. Nuked the xfer case and splined shafts. Operator error is a 4x4 driveline guys best friend.
How much snow are we talking about? My momo friend just payed me a small fortune, because he had the bad habit of using 4wd all the way to work and not turn it off in grippy sections or turns. Nuked the xfer case and splined shafts. Operator error is a 4x4 driveline guys best friend.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
My hubs wouldn’t lock automatically. The truck was in 4x4 but the front wheels were not being powered. So I twisted the hubs to the locked position. While doing this the plastic hub piece that you twist came apart and a plastic disc came out. This is the second set of hubs. They were changed last winter because they were seized. In the summer I never have problems with the auto hubs. It only happens in the winter. I believe there is water in the vacuum lines that is freezing. Also the check 4x4 error . What would this mean?
I guess its possible a vacuum line has a split in it, but you should be able to easily turn the hubs from auto to lock without anything coming apart. Could be the dealer did not install the replacement set properly.
I've now had two 2017 4x4 trucks and both were electronic shift on the fly and neither have given me any trouble. I use 4x4 quite a fair amount. It is also very cold here in NH now (-5F last night, -18F tonight) and so far, no troubles. So there is definitely something amiss on yours.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 221
Likes: 3
"Check 4x4" error means that the microswitch or sensor that tells the ECM the xfer case made it to 4wd, didn't send a signal that it was in 4wd. Maybe it's stuck, maybe it's failed.
How much snow are we talking about? My momo friend just payed me a small fortune, because he had the bad habit of using 4wd all the way to work and not turn it off in grippy sections or turns. Nuked the xfer case and splined shafts. Operator error is a 4x4 driveline guys best friend.
How much snow are we talking about? My momo friend just payed me a small fortune, because he had the bad habit of using 4wd all the way to work and not turn it off in grippy sections or turns. Nuked the xfer case and splined shafts. Operator error is a 4x4 driveline guys best friend.
I’m talking 6 inches plus and for plowing my driveway. I drive a snowplough for a city so I have to go to work whenever everyone else is coming off the roads. I won’t get up the hills without four wheel drive but if I’m on the level at a decent speed I unlock the 4x4. This is my 3rd. F250 and first with 4x4 problems.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 8
Cool, you clearly know what you're doing then. Maybe it's just a bad actuator or sensor/switch. Should be an easy fix. But if that dealer F'd up installing hubs........
Does it seem like a mechanic error, or just a crappy built hub assembly?
Does it seem like a mechanic error, or just a crappy built hub assembly?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 507
From: Phelan CA
One is a cheap junk Chinese copy that looks like the Ford OEM, except the Ford logo isn't present on the dial, usually an unknown brand name or nothing at all.
Bout $90 each, not worth $5 in my book. Stay away.
The other is genuine Warn premium hubs, all metal tri-lobe ****, available in chrome or black. I have a set of these on my new truck, very nice product, but spendy at $350 retail. Look on eBay, they come up for $160-200 every once in a while.
The Ford manual hubs are not bad when used purely as a manual hub, as they are made by Warn. It's the vacuum portion that sucks. (pun very much intended.)
The Ford Auto-lock design is junk, and it's not a question of if it will fail, but when. The vacuum lines eventually leak, and then that affects operation of other vacuum controlled devices in the truck, like climate control vents. Best thing I ever did was rip the lines off and cap them at the knuckle on my 2006.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
Climate control doesn’t use vacuum anymore...electro-servo now.
The hubs have been updated since your truck, including the way the vacuum operates. Pulse vs constant flow. Definitely could still fail, but I’ve had no trouble with mine.
The hubs have been updated since your truck, including the way the vacuum operates. Pulse vs constant flow. Definitely could still fail, but I’ve had no trouble with mine.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 507
From: Phelan CA
Typically, the vacuum fails about the 3 year mark. Depends on how often you trade. I run Ford trucks up to around 350,000 miles before I sell them off.