Auto Lock Hubs
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20
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Auto Lock Hubs
Hey all,
I just bought a bronco and the 4x4 hubs are blown and I need to replace them.
I picked up a pair of auto hubs off of a
1996 Bronco with 20,000 miles from a guy that
I know. The bronco is from CA, and I doubt they were
used too much.
They are in mint condition.
However, I'm inclined to put on some
Mile Marker Supreme manual lockout instead...
Here is my question.
1.Did Ford make any improvements on their auto hubs
throughout the years?
2. The only thing I'm concerned with auto hubs is since bronco factory hubs were notoriously known for failure, is there a sure fire way of knowing if they are engaged or disengaged?
At least with the manuals, you know if you're locking them or not.
My concern is I put in these new auto hubs and I'll be driving with them engaged/disengaged when I don't want to.
3. If I go for the manuals instead, I'm left with these auto hubs.
If anybody wants them make me an offer.
Thanks in advance,
David
I just bought a bronco and the 4x4 hubs are blown and I need to replace them.
I picked up a pair of auto hubs off of a
1996 Bronco with 20,000 miles from a guy that
I know. The bronco is from CA, and I doubt they were
used too much.
They are in mint condition.
However, I'm inclined to put on some
Mile Marker Supreme manual lockout instead...
Here is my question.
1.Did Ford make any improvements on their auto hubs
throughout the years?
2. The only thing I'm concerned with auto hubs is since bronco factory hubs were notoriously known for failure, is there a sure fire way of knowing if they are engaged or disengaged?
At least with the manuals, you know if you're locking them or not.
My concern is I put in these new auto hubs and I'll be driving with them engaged/disengaged when I don't want to.
3. If I go for the manuals instead, I'm left with these auto hubs.
If anybody wants them make me an offer.
Thanks in advance,
David
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: East TN
I'll give you my expirence. Q1, I don't think Ford made many improvments. Q2, I never had any problem with engagement, dis engagement was another story. Every auto set I have had stayed engaged at one time or another. Really hurts the mileage. Q3, Not me :-). Hope this helps!!
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20
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Thanks for the response Ranger,
But is there a way of know if you are engaged or disengaged?
Obviously the 4x4 light means nothing in terms of this.
I don't do any damage by driving around with them engaged when I think they are disengaged.
But is there a way of know if you are engaged or disengaged?
Obviously the 4x4 light means nothing in terms of this.
I don't do any damage by driving around with them engaged when I think they are disengaged.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 813
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From: NJ
auto hubs are covenient yes reliable no. you will NOT do any damage if you are driving around with them locked in, well maybe to your pocket book because fuel economy will definately suffer.
HAHA i said fuel economy.
HAHA i said fuel economy.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 268
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From: NY
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 50
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From: New Jersey
I am not sure about your model year, but I have a 92' and I know for a FACT that YES my years Auto Hubs were redeigned due to failures. I just had one replaced last week, it was three separate parts. The entire kit directly from Ford was $270. Like I said I don't know for 96, but can't imagine it being much different.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,526
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From: Round Rock, TX
That's a LOT of money to replace one hub that you know will fail again. I'm just curious; what kept you from swapping to manual hubs? You could have done that for less than half of what you paid.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 50
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From: New Jersey
I actually like the convience of the auto hubs. And since I am so far not big yet in off roading (not much in trails in NJ), and weather isn't too extreme around here, the benifits of manual hubs vs. auto hubs was a no brainer for me. An hey the original hub lasted 208,000 miles so why not. In fact I think I got lucky with my rig, the factory tranny lasted 198,000 miles.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 404
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From: Groton, CT
The first time you get stuck and cannot move the truck you will understand the benefits of manual hubs. About a year ago my truck sat in a parking lot for a few days. It had snowed heavily shortly before I parked it, and thawed just a little the following day. The temperatures dropped into single digits and stayed there.
When I tried to get my Bronco out, the snow had melted and refrozen leaving me in little tire shaped ice pockets. The front wheels were in better shape, so I put the truck in 4WD and tried to back out. The problem with Auto Lock hubs is that the wheels must actually turn in order to lock them. In my predicament you could look under the Bronco and see the front driveshaft turning, but with no roll on the front wheels the hubs would not lock up. I had to get a pull out of my parking spot from my friend in a *groan* Jeep. Once I could actually move, the hubs locked up and no more problems.
I installed a set of Warn Premium manual hubs that very weekend. I will NEVER get pulled by a Jeep again. If the weather turns crappy, I just lock em up. If I need 4WD I shift, if I don't, I just suck a little extra gas for a couple of days.
When I tried to get my Bronco out, the snow had melted and refrozen leaving me in little tire shaped ice pockets. The front wheels were in better shape, so I put the truck in 4WD and tried to back out. The problem with Auto Lock hubs is that the wheels must actually turn in order to lock them. In my predicament you could look under the Bronco and see the front driveshaft turning, but with no roll on the front wheels the hubs would not lock up. I had to get a pull out of my parking spot from my friend in a *groan* Jeep. Once I could actually move, the hubs locked up and no more problems.
I installed a set of Warn Premium manual hubs that very weekend. I will NEVER get pulled by a Jeep again. If the weather turns crappy, I just lock em up. If I need 4WD I shift, if I don't, I just suck a little extra gas for a couple of days.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 813
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From: NJ
hey big red bronco the wheels do not have to turn to lock your auto hubs. just to prove it climb under your bronk and turn the front drive shaft by hand and the hubs will lock. to unlock you must have the front drive shaft stop moving and back up 10 feet. i think your hubs may have had a little ice in them if they did not lock which is a common problem. when you were pulled out the turning of the front wheels probably broke the ice or stiff grease looose.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 404
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From: Groton, CT
Well...when I checked the book way back when, it told me what experience had proven. The centrifugal force of the rotating wheels causes the hubs to lock when the drive shafts are rotating at the same time. Not a 4WD guru, just go by what the tech pubs say, and by what I experience.
I am a manual hub guy, and I will never go back.
I am a manual hub guy, and I will never go back.
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Where's a good place to get a good deal on manual hubs? I have a 94 F-150 with the same problems mainly one side or the other locking in when im going down the road and then I could back up all day and not get it to unlock.