Manual locking hubs VS Automatic
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
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Manual locking hubs VS Automatic
What are the advantages of the manual hubs over the automatic?
Here is a question for those of you who do allot of driving in snow. Do you lock the hubs before you even get started to your destination? They say that you shouldnt drive around in 2H with the hubs locked. But it would suck to have to lock the hubs everytime you come up to a big drift.
Here is a question for those of you who do allot of driving in snow. Do you lock the hubs before you even get started to your destination? They say that you shouldnt drive around in 2H with the hubs locked. But it would suck to have to lock the hubs everytime you come up to a big drift.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 167
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From: Alberta
Search the site here and you'll find a lot of people have switched out their auto hubs for manual ones. The auto hubs seem to like to give out during the times you need them the most. The manual hubs, like the aftermarket Warn ones, are much more reliable and durable. As for locking them while driving, I personally keep them locked in all winter (for the past two winters now, except when doing any extended hiway driving), with no problems. You definately know that they're locked in; the steering seems heavier, and the road noise goes up a tad, but I've had no problems with my front end yet (knock on wood 
).
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 118
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From: mohave valley
i have a 55 ****** jeep with manual locking hubs and its great, but with my 1990 f150 4X4 id rather it had automatic locking hubs. i dont use the four wheel drive very often but when i do it would be easier just to flip a switch than get out and do it manualy. my 2 cents, for what its worth, if your going to do alot of four wheeling for long periods, the manuals are fine, but if your going to put it in four wheel drive for just a short time then have to take it out again. then id go with automatic hubs.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 759
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From: North Dakota
A couple of thoughts on hubs...
Auto locking hubs are a great convenience most of the time - hit the button (or pull lever) and they lock in. When you're done, just back up and they unlock. HOWEVER, if you get stuck and want to rock your vehicle, when you go forward they lock, when you back up they have to unlock and relock. If you get the slightest bit rough with them, they break. (Trust me, we did this on a 90 F150) Now, when you have autolock hubs and you don't know they are broken before you go into a big drift, that is very inconvenient (had to walk 2 miles).
Manual hubs may be more of an inconvenience, but our 90 F150 had 145,000 miles on it when we traded, having put the manual hubs on at around 60k. When it was dry the hubs were unlocked, when it was really muddy we locked them in just in case. And they were locked in all winter.
The front driveshaft U-joints, etc. will wear faster with the hubs locked in all the time, but I doubt you would ever notice this. Also you will lose 1-2 mpg.
Just my thoughts...
Auto locking hubs are a great convenience most of the time - hit the button (or pull lever) and they lock in. When you're done, just back up and they unlock. HOWEVER, if you get stuck and want to rock your vehicle, when you go forward they lock, when you back up they have to unlock and relock. If you get the slightest bit rough with them, they break. (Trust me, we did this on a 90 F150) Now, when you have autolock hubs and you don't know they are broken before you go into a big drift, that is very inconvenient (had to walk 2 miles).
Manual hubs may be more of an inconvenience, but our 90 F150 had 145,000 miles on it when we traded, having put the manual hubs on at around 60k. When it was dry the hubs were unlocked, when it was really muddy we locked them in just in case. And they were locked in all winter.
The front driveshaft U-joints, etc. will wear faster with the hubs locked in all the time, but I doubt you would ever notice this. Also you will lose 1-2 mpg.
Just my thoughts...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
Leaving manual hubs locked does not do any damage. Many people in snow country lock the hubs at the first snowfall and leave them there all winter. I lock mine whenever I might encounter snow. It is mainly a comfort thing, a little noise from the extra rotating parts. Many 4x4's built before 1980 did not have disconnecting front hubs at all.
Jim
Jim
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 16
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From: Minnesota
I still have auto locking hubs on my truck and don't think I'll change them. I have heard that they CAN unlock when backing up but have not experienced that - and i have back up many ice hills, out of mud holes... All Hubs, U-joint... will break if you get your tires spining hard and then they grad - and spinning tires are doing but making a situation wores most of the time - slow and steady is easyer on you and your truck. Still have the same auto huds with a 173,000 miles on them - the only thing I do is service them once a year. Maintance!!
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: North Dakota
Originally posted by Colsen
the only thing I do is service them once a year. Maintance!!
the only thing I do is service them once a year. Maintance!!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,498
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From: Raleigh, NC
I'm gonna switch to manuals. My automatics engaged while going down the road yesterday, and it hasn't been in 4x4 in over a month. I took it to the shop to get it checked out and oiled/greased/lubed up so it won't happen again.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 282
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From: East Wenatchee, WA
All you have to remember about auto locking hubs is to slow down when shifting into 4wheel drive. (below 15 mph). The main cause I have seen break is because someone is driving down the highway at 60 mph and shifts it into 4x4, so suddenly the driveshaft and axle have to go from 0 to 60 in about half a second. Something has to give....and it is usually the hub taking the brunt of it. It is more of a common sense thing.......or at least I would think so......
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 16
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From: Minnesota
I spend a lot of time fishing these two small lakes in gods country with out roads so the truck is in and out of water all summer - also lunch my big boat off the front bumper so the hubs again are in water. I pull the huds out wipe them dowm and apply a light coat of fresh lithuim greas as well as pull and pack the barings. Hubs take a lot of beating when engaged. I also drain the front and rear end in the fall. I know hubs are supost to be sealed but if you don't check them you wont know.
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 16
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From: Minnesota
Jakeman68 - You can shift to 4x4 at any point under 60 was my understanding. With the electron there are delays set up to alow everthing a chance to catch up with the rest of the truck. I would let my foot off the gas for a sec. but I have owned my truck for years and up here you never know when your gone need it in 4x4. I do remember reading in the owners man. not to tow in 4x4 over 60 mph.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
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From: Running Springs CA
The electric transfer case will "spin up" the front driveshaft gradually. The problem would be with a manual transfer case and automatic hubs, which was the stock setup on my truck.
Jim
Jim
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 16
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From: Minnesota
Sorry for the assumption. I SEE YOUR POINT ON THAT. THE PROBLEM FACED WITH ALL THE ELECRTONICS IS THEY USUALLY DON'T GIVE YOU ANY WARNING BEFORE GOING OUT. MY FOUR LOW SWITCH ON THE TRANSFRER CASE WENT WHEN I WANTED TO TAKE IT OUT. LONG DRIVE HOME IN FOUR LOW.
RIK
RIK