Auto/Lock Hubs Function
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Auto/Lock Hubs Function
I just bought an 08 F250 with the 6.4. This is my first truck with Auto/Lock hubs and a dash switch to engage 4WD. I've read a few articles on how the hubs are supposed to operate and think something may be wrong with mine because I can't pin down how to use them. They don't function consistently.
It's my understanding that if they are in the Locked position then the dash switch does nothing, and if the hubs are in the Auto position then that's when I can use the dash switch to toggle. Is this true?
It seems that my 4WD can engage or not engage no mater if the hub is in lock or auto position. I can't notice a pattern. I do know that I can disengage 4WD from the dash when the hubs are locked, I did it last night and this morning.
Does anybody have any insight?
Thanks
It's my understanding that if they are in the Locked position then the dash switch does nothing, and if the hubs are in the Auto position then that's when I can use the dash switch to toggle. Is this true?
It seems that my 4WD can engage or not engage no mater if the hub is in lock or auto position. I can't notice a pattern. I do know that I can disengage 4WD from the dash when the hubs are locked, I did it last night and this morning.
Does anybody have any insight?
Thanks
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 171
Likes: 3
From: Sams Creek Maryland
When you manually lock the hubs the axle is engaged only.
You still have to turn the switch to engage the transfer case.
But the wheels will stay locked in constantly.
When the hubs are set on auto the axel is free always.
When you activate the switch, the the transfer case engages AND
the hubs engage with vacuum assist.
When in auto mode, there is a moment when reversing direction that
your hubs will dis-engage basically leaving you in 2-wheel dr momentarily.
If you are in auto and your 4wheel is not engaging with the switch
you are have vacuum leak issues. But you can still manually lock
the hubs for 4-wheel.
You still have to turn the switch to engage the transfer case.
But the wheels will stay locked in constantly.
When the hubs are set on auto the axel is free always.
When you activate the switch, the the transfer case engages AND
the hubs engage with vacuum assist.
When in auto mode, there is a moment when reversing direction that
your hubs will dis-engage basically leaving you in 2-wheel dr momentarily.
If you are in auto and your 4wheel is not engaging with the switch
you are have vacuum leak issues. But you can still manually lock
the hubs for 4-wheel.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
On the Super Duty trucks with the automatic 4 wheel drive system, 2 separate actions happen when you move the **** from 2H to 4H.
First, the locking hubs lock. This connects the wheels to the drive axles. If your hubs are already in LOCKED the wheels are already connected to the axle shafts.
Second, the transfer case is shifted to 4H, which splits the input power between the front and rear axles.
The order is important. The rotation speed between the front and rear axles must match or the transfer case will grindv he gears badly while trying to shift.
If you lock the hubs manually but do not shift the transfer case you are not in 4 wheel drive.
If the transfer case is shifted to 4 wheel drive but the hubs don't lock, you're not in 4 wheel drive.
First, the locking hubs lock. This connects the wheels to the drive axles. If your hubs are already in LOCKED the wheels are already connected to the axle shafts.
Second, the transfer case is shifted to 4H, which splits the input power between the front and rear axles.
The order is important. The rotation speed between the front and rear axles must match or the transfer case will grindv he gears badly while trying to shift.
If you lock the hubs manually but do not shift the transfer case you are not in 4 wheel drive.
If the transfer case is shifted to 4 wheel drive but the hubs don't lock, you're not in 4 wheel drive.
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Freshman User
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This is great information. I couldn't find a breakdown like this anywhere on-line. I must have a small vacuum leak or mechanical failure because when the hubs are in AUTO I have been able to get 4WD to work, but not always. I'll do some more testing to verify.
If the hubs are locked in, and I switch to 4H on the dash, but I don't get 4WD, is there a likely cause? Is the transfer case shifted by vacuum also?
If the hubs are locked in, and I switch to 4H on the dash, but I don't get 4WD, is there a likely cause? Is the transfer case shifted by vacuum also?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 171
Likes: 3
From: Sams Creek Maryland
If your hubs are locked in and no 4wheel its likely the actuator switch is bad
or a bad electrical connection.
Sounds like a vacuum issue tho with the auto setting.
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