SD 4WD Front Hubs
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
SD 4WD Front Hubs
I test drove a used 01 SD 4x4 the other day I have a question concerning the front manual hubs. I don't know that muchg about manual hubs.
Here is the truck:
-2001 Super Duty 4x4
--6.8L V10
-42,000 miles
--Automatic Tranny
-Off-Road Package
My undestanding of a manual hub is the when the hub dial is turned, there is a splined sleeve that moves in and out. This sleeve basically slides over the outer side of the axles shaft. This is how the hub engages and disengages the front axle. Good.
Question:
-The driver's side front hub was hard to turn, rather hard. I eventually did get it to turn, but like I said it was HARD. The passenger's side hub turned easily. What is wrong here?? Is this normal??
Also, when engaging the 4WD system using the dash 4WD dial inside the cab, when do the hubs come into play? Dial first, then lock the hubs?
Thanks for any and all information.
Here is the truck:
-2001 Super Duty 4x4
--6.8L V10
-42,000 miles
--Automatic Tranny
-Off-Road Package
My undestanding of a manual hub is the when the hub dial is turned, there is a splined sleeve that moves in and out. This sleeve basically slides over the outer side of the axles shaft. This is how the hub engages and disengages the front axle. Good.
Question:
-The driver's side front hub was hard to turn, rather hard. I eventually did get it to turn, but like I said it was HARD. The passenger's side hub turned easily. What is wrong here?? Is this normal??
Also, when engaging the 4WD system using the dash 4WD dial inside the cab, when do the hubs come into play? Dial first, then lock the hubs?
Thanks for any and all information.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
The hubs on these trucks are less than adequate. But they can be hard to turn if the truck has worn wheel bearings. Also if the ujoints are bad.
I wouldn't buy a SD unless you have every front end part checked.
Bearings are $400.00 a piece.
I wouldn't buy a SD unless you have every front end part checked.
Bearings are $400.00 a piece.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Ok, so both driver's side and passenger's side should be rather easily turned/engaged, correct??
This hard turn related problem isnt related to having the dash dial in 4WD HI/LO, it is a hub related area problem?
I just havent used manual hubs before, always auto locking hubs, and want to make sure what I am not doing is the problem.
THANKS!
This hard turn related problem isnt related to having the dash dial in 4WD HI/LO, it is a hub related area problem?
I just havent used manual hubs before, always auto locking hubs, and want to make sure what I am not doing is the problem.
THANKS!
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,271
Likes: 229
From: Gulf Coast, FL
Okay let's clear this up.
If you have a dash switch then the truck is using the ESOF system(electronic shift-on-the-fly). The FORD hubs allow you to use them manually if there is a problem with the vacuum system. There are two settings AUTO and LOCK.
The hubs have a rubber seal on the inside and will become hard to turn when dirty or left unchecked for a period of time.
The wheel bearings have no effect on the hubs themsevles. Not saying that bad bearings cannot cause 4x4 problems, just from your description the bearings are not at fault.
You can replace these hubs with WARN units for less than $200 but you will loose the ESOF and would need to get out and lock in the front hubs.
A bonus to the WARN set-up is if you need additional pulling power, you can use the low gearing of the transfer case when you shift to 4x just leave the front hubs unlocked.
The FORD OEM hubs are built by WARN, they just need some maintance to keep them working smooth.
If you have a dash switch then the truck is using the ESOF system(electronic shift-on-the-fly). The FORD hubs allow you to use them manually if there is a problem with the vacuum system. There are two settings AUTO and LOCK.
The hubs have a rubber seal on the inside and will become hard to turn when dirty or left unchecked for a period of time.
The wheel bearings have no effect on the hubs themsevles. Not saying that bad bearings cannot cause 4x4 problems, just from your description the bearings are not at fault.
You can replace these hubs with WARN units for less than $200 but you will loose the ESOF and would need to get out and lock in the front hubs.
A bonus to the WARN set-up is if you need additional pulling power, you can use the low gearing of the transfer case when you shift to 4x just leave the front hubs unlocked.
The FORD OEM hubs are built by WARN, they just need some maintance to keep them working smooth.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
HeavyAssault, here is my expierence with these hubs.
If the front wheel bearings become worn or sloppy enough, the needle bearings internal to the auto /manual hubs tend to fail,because the axle stub that protrudes into the hub is misaligned and the axle shaft spins while the truck is in 4x2.
LPD111,
I would raise the front end of this truck and chk front wheel bearings,by grabing top and bottom of the wheel and pulling in an out .Should be no play in these sealed bearings.
Theres an o-ring in the hub area that fails lets dirt and water in .
Also the axle seal on the backside of
the steering knuckle fails, doing the same as above.
Do these hubs on this truck have an "auto pos and a" manual pos"?????
Rich
If the front wheel bearings become worn or sloppy enough, the needle bearings internal to the auto /manual hubs tend to fail,because the axle stub that protrudes into the hub is misaligned and the axle shaft spins while the truck is in 4x2.
LPD111,
I would raise the front end of this truck and chk front wheel bearings,by grabing top and bottom of the wheel and pulling in an out .Should be no play in these sealed bearings.
Theres an o-ring in the hub area that fails lets dirt and water in .
Also the axle seal on the backside of
the steering knuckle fails, doing the same as above.
Do these hubs on this truck have an "auto pos and a" manual pos"?????
Rich
