Dorman auto lock hub question
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
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Dorman auto lock hub question
2004 F350 280k miles. Beginning of winter was having problems rotating the auto lock hub assembly. All crudded together. Took them both apart cleaned the pieces put them together, but accidentally tore the diaphragm on one side. Can’t find the diaphragm only for a rebuild and ended getting a whole new assembly from the dreaded Dormann. Only thing available on a Sunday. Auto lock and 4wd has worked great all winter till yesterday.
Had a pretty good blizzard here in Mn over the weekend. Son was out in the truck with a tow strap pulling stuck vehicles from snow banks. Got a call from a friend that stuffed his truck into a 6 foot drift on a nearby lake. After much shoveling and tugging it finally came free, but during the extraction by son heard a loud thunk and suddenly lost 4wd.
Was able to get off the lake, truck drove fine, no leaks or noises, just no more 4wd. Tonight we jacked it up expecting a transfer case or front differential issue, but they seemed to check out ok.
Moved to the locking hubs, OEM came right out, parts looked good, but Dorman replacement was really lodged tightly to the axle. After much persuasion it came out and didn’t operate smoothly.
Took it apart, cleaned and lubed it, reinstalled and suddenly 4wd is working again.
They have a lifetime warranty and we can replace it, but just concerned a new one will let go again when it is being worked hard.
Has anyone had experience with these?
Thanks
Had a pretty good blizzard here in Mn over the weekend. Son was out in the truck with a tow strap pulling stuck vehicles from snow banks. Got a call from a friend that stuffed his truck into a 6 foot drift on a nearby lake. After much shoveling and tugging it finally came free, but during the extraction by son heard a loud thunk and suddenly lost 4wd.
Was able to get off the lake, truck drove fine, no leaks or noises, just no more 4wd. Tonight we jacked it up expecting a transfer case or front differential issue, but they seemed to check out ok.
Moved to the locking hubs, OEM came right out, parts looked good, but Dorman replacement was really lodged tightly to the axle. After much persuasion it came out and didn’t operate smoothly.
Took it apart, cleaned and lubed it, reinstalled and suddenly 4wd is working again.
They have a lifetime warranty and we can replace it, but just concerned a new one will let go again when it is being worked hard.
Has anyone had experience with these?
Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Yep sounds like cheap Dorman parts from the farm house out in the wilds of China.
Well likely not the wild more like downtown right next to the Chinese laundry.
When mot making parts for Dorman they are making str-fry over the forge.
Sorry I just had to have some fun with you. Once you got the parts out did you see any damage
to the splines. The axle would be the one I would worry about. Likely it got cocked sideways as
it was sliding in or out. Next time you have it out and apart check the fit to the axle stub shaft. I
would also hang the parts up on a string if they can be taken all the way apart and give it a rap with
the handle of a plastic screwdriver and see if the metal parts ring or make a thud type sound.
A nice ring means that the ring is not cracked. The large parts are easy to make ring it they are not
cracked. The smaller parts are harder to make ring.
Well likely not the wild more like downtown right next to the Chinese laundry.
When mot making parts for Dorman they are making str-fry over the forge.
Sorry I just had to have some fun with you. Once you got the parts out did you see any damage
to the splines. The axle would be the one I would worry about. Likely it got cocked sideways as
it was sliding in or out. Next time you have it out and apart check the fit to the axle stub shaft. I
would also hang the parts up on a string if they can be taken all the way apart and give it a rap with
the handle of a plastic screwdriver and see if the metal parts ring or make a thud type sound.
A nice ring means that the ring is not cracked. The large parts are easy to make ring it they are not
cracked. The smaller parts are harder to make ring.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 94
It was in auto lock mode. Most times it is used for short periods of time. Like getting up the driveway or pulling something then it is set back to 2wd.
This time it was an extended period of time and distance and I’m sure it was being worked hard the whole time.
This time it was an extended period of time and distance and I’m sure it was being worked hard the whole time.
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