tips on using locking hubs.
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tips on using locking hubs.
I just bought a 78 F150. It's first 4x4 I've owned. I set the hubs to lock and then engaged 4L. I went a gravel road in the woods coverd with snow in parts. Hit a patch where the back wheels were spinning and I couldn't tell that the front wheels were pulling at all. Did I not do this right? Could use some instruction please.
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From: Idaho cda postfalls
you probably did everything right but, sometimes those hubs get dirty from lack of maintance, they tend not to work right, if they have standard ford hubs take it down and install a set of warn hubs, much easier to work with.
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From: Southwestern Michigan
sounds like you engaged the hubs correctly, Did you notice the obvious gear reduction after shifting to 4 low? Possibly the lockouts are stuck/malfunctioning, not allowing the lockout gear to engage the hub.......Is the front driveshaft present?
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Thanks for the feedback. I didn't notice any difference going up the hill, but backing down I could feel and hear some gearing was engaged. I just wasn't sure I was getting any traction to the front wheels. I'll have to have someone look at the shafts and see if they are turning.
Does it make any difference if you lock the hubs first and then shift into 4L or should you shift first and then set the hubs?
Does it make any difference if you lock the hubs first and then shift into 4L or should you shift first and then set the hubs?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Franklin, GA
Lock the hubs first. And you should remove the hubs and clean them and re-grease them every so often just for maintenence. In fact, it is recommended to lock the hubs for something like ten miles a month so everything in the front axle assembly rotates and maintains lube coverage (notice I said lock the hubs ONLY. Don't ever shift the range shift lever into four wheel drive when on solid surfaces.)
By the way, welcome to FTE and good fortune with your "new" 4X4!
By the way, welcome to FTE and good fortune with your "new" 4X4!
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Until I got up the nerve to take mine apart years ago, the last person to fiddle with the hubs managed to put the cog in backwards, so lock was free and free was locked. I finally took the hubs apart and straightened everything out. The kicker was, with the spring pushing on the gear, with it in backwards, it made it really problematic to get it locked in, and you had to rock the truck back and forth to unlock it. With everything in right, the spring took care of helping it lock in properly, and no more rocking to unlock the front end.
If you decide to tackle the hubs, get a good set of snap ring pliers, and you will need the hub tool. I would also recommend some gloves because grease will be everywhere. You might as well repack the bearings when you are in there..
If you decide to tackle the hubs, get a good set of snap ring pliers, and you will need the hub tool. I would also recommend some gloves because grease will be everywhere. You might as well repack the bearings when you are in there..
Last edited by Stock78; Dec 7, 2004 at 05:51 PM. Reason: Dyslexia
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Thanks
Thanks to everyone for the help. I now have a much better understanding. I can check the shafts and see if they are turning as expected. I may not go into the hubs myself until I get a manual, but I have a mechanic who I trust that could do it for me.
Pappy
Pappy
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: South Texas
You can always raise the rear wheels off the ground and put the truck in gear with the hubs locked and transfer case in 4H or 4L. If the truck tries to pull, you know the front wheels are pulling. Be careful not to pull too much or you might fall off the jack and possibly damage something. I always test my trucks this way and have never had anything damaged even if I do pull off the jack.
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From: USA
An easier, safer way to test if the hubs are locking is to:
-raise the front wheels off the ground,
-leave the transfer case shifter in 2wd,
-lock one hub,
-spin the wheel on that side by hand,
-and watch the axleshaft as it comes out of the end of the axle to see if it turns.
If it doesn't turn, the hub didn't lock.
-Repeat for the other side.
-raise the front wheels off the ground,
-leave the transfer case shifter in 2wd,
-lock one hub,
-spin the wheel on that side by hand,
-and watch the axleshaft as it comes out of the end of the axle to see if it turns.
If it doesn't turn, the hub didn't lock.
-Repeat for the other side.
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I'll have to remove my brakes to grease the front bearings...thought I'd do that while installing Warn locking hubs. I can remove just about anything...is it tough to re'install the front brakes after hub maintenance?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: USA
Bad Company, it's not a difficult task. You will need the 4wd hub tool, and a pair of snap ring plier would be helpful as well.
76fordtruck, backing up to engage the hubs doesn't apply to manually operated locking hubs. Maybe it works for autohubs...
76fordtruck, backing up to engage the hubs doesn't apply to manually operated locking hubs. Maybe it works for autohubs...
