Running with hubs locked
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Magrath
Running with hubs locked
Will this hurt my truck if I run with my hubs locked for a 250mile trip.
I am going on a trip tonight, leaving in a couple hours. It is 120 miles one way and the road conditions are questionable. I will most likely run in 2wd @ about 65MPH (pending road conditions), but am very likely to run into some bad conditions.
I am going on a trip tonight, leaving in a couple hours. It is 120 miles one way and the road conditions are questionable. I will most likely run in 2wd @ about 65MPH (pending road conditions), but am very likely to run into some bad conditions.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
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Hubs Locked
I'm no mechanic, but all I've ever been told is that it is better to leave your hubs locked in all the time than not, as it circulates oil and keeps things lubed up and ready to go for when you do decide to use it.
From what I've been told, the only drawback is fuel economy as your you are offering up a little more resistance to movement by having your front axles and gears turning all the time.
I personally notice very little loss in fuel economy in my pickup (95 Ford F-150, 5-sp, 300-6.) and I tend to keep my hubs turned in more often than not.
If someone out there has more knowledge on this subject than I, please feel free to chime in.
Have a safe trip!
Corey
From what I've been told, the only drawback is fuel economy as your you are offering up a little more resistance to movement by having your front axles and gears turning all the time.
I personally notice very little loss in fuel economy in my pickup (95 Ford F-150, 5-sp, 300-6.) and I tend to keep my hubs turned in more often than not.
If someone out there has more knowledge on this subject than I, please feel free to chime in.
Have a safe trip!
Corey
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 11
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From: S.F. Bay Area, CA
Swanny has it about right. You will obviosly have some additional wear of your front axle assemble, but we would be talking FAR more miles then you are talking about.
He is also right about engaging the front axle now and then. The moisture build up can cause some oxidation (rust) build up if it not brought up to temperature now and then also.
He is also right about engaging the front axle now and then. The moisture build up can cause some oxidation (rust) build up if it not brought up to temperature now and then also.
Last edited by gearclash; Jan 23, 2004 at 08:14 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
The manual actually recommends doing this periodically to keep things lubed. I think they recommend 10-20 miles as enough to juice things up.
As far as 250 miles, you are looking at wear and lower mileage and some road rumble. I would think ahead and unlock them as much as road conditions would allow. For example if you think 100 straight miles of the 250 will be clear I would unlock them for that mileage.
Part time 4WD is not meant to be used all the time so I like to save my wear and tear when I can. But I have never heard of wearing one out.
I am no expert but I would say you are probably safe as long as you keep things reasonable. A little wear is a fair trade off for safety.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
As far as 250 miles, you are looking at wear and lower mileage and some road rumble. I would think ahead and unlock them as much as road conditions would allow. For example if you think 100 straight miles of the 250 will be clear I would unlock them for that mileage.
Part time 4WD is not meant to be used all the time so I like to save my wear and tear when I can. But I have never heard of wearing one out.
I am no expert but I would say you are probably safe as long as you keep things reasonable. A little wear is a fair trade off for safety.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Benton County, MN
I run mine locked all the time in the winter. Or at least if the roads are bad or there is a threat of the roads becoming bad. Everyone is pretty much right. It keeps everything functioning. Like the saying goes, "If you don't use it, you lose it."
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
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From: Ashland City, TN
it just engages the tires to the differential? did i get that right?
basically, they will be turning all the joints and what not in the front to the transmission.
Mine as well just run in 4wd high.
however, it dosn't hurt anything but wear out the parts like normal wear would do.
basically, they will be turning all the joints and what not in the front to the transmission.
Mine as well just run in 4wd high.
however, it dosn't hurt anything but wear out the parts like normal wear would do.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
I have never had my hubs not lock when I selected the ESOF to 4x4...
If the ESOF does fail to lock the hubs (vacuum failure), you can then get out and lock them manually and keep any worries about the extended high speed trip with locked hubs to a minimum.
As a side note, a buddy of mine (Chevy of course) had his 4x4 system fail on him based on a solenoid malfunction. When he selected 4x4 with his manly, floor mounted "it will always work 'cause it's manual" shifter, the transfer case tried to shift over to 4x4 but the solenoid which locks his front hubs failed. This basically showed him his ESOF is operated by his floor shifter. Ford has taken care of us in this respect with the auto hubs you can manually lock.
Edmo
If the ESOF does fail to lock the hubs (vacuum failure), you can then get out and lock them manually and keep any worries about the extended high speed trip with locked hubs to a minimum.
As a side note, a buddy of mine (Chevy of course) had his 4x4 system fail on him based on a solenoid malfunction. When he selected 4x4 with his manly, floor mounted "it will always work 'cause it's manual" shifter, the transfer case tried to shift over to 4x4 but the solenoid which locks his front hubs failed. This basically showed him his ESOF is operated by his floor shifter. Ford has taken care of us in this respect with the auto hubs you can manually lock.
Edmo
Last edited by Edmo; Jan 25, 2004 at 10:05 AM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
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From: Running Springs CA
The '92 does not have the vacuum system. The manual ones will not lock automatically. There is no problem running them locked for a few hundred miles. I do the same thing when snow may be encountered here on the mountain.
Jim
Jim
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
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From: Ashland City, TN
I've heard there are lots of problems with the auto/manual hubs. Where the auto lockers are failing.
I personally prefer manual. Cause you can dissengage the hubs manually and ensure that they are dissengaged. No fear of electronic failure, or malfunction.
I personally prefer manual. Cause you can dissengage the hubs manually and ensure that they are dissengaged. No fear of electronic failure, or malfunction.