Shift on the fly 4X4 reliability?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
It really depends, some have problems, some don't. Even with the manual 4wd you can still run into trouble, there is just a few less "gadgets" that can go wrong.
Just in my own opinion, I like my ESOF and have had zero problems with it at over 65K. Main thing is I use it and don't abuse it. Those that don't use it at all seem to have frozen hubs and such, and those that abuse it... well... you know
Just in my own opinion, I like my ESOF and have had zero problems with it at over 65K. Main thing is I use it and don't abuse it. Those that don't use it at all seem to have frozen hubs and such, and those that abuse it... well... you know
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
on my 95 f150 i had the auto lock hubs fail under warrenty and after. when i heard the price i went to the local speed shop and ordered a set of manual hubs for if remember around 85 dollars. now if i think i am going to need 4x4 i lock the hubs and turn the switch when ever, i also find it easier to turn them on with out the switch and lube up the front axles.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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Were these auto locking hubs? If so a lot of people don't realize that you have to engage the hubs at a stand still before shifting into 4 wheel drive. If you engage the transfer case at speed without engaging hubs first, you are banging the hubs into engagement. The SuperDuty's don't have this out dated type of auto locking hubs
Originally Posted by dhofmann
I currently have a 92 F150 with 4x4 shift on the fly. I have had to replace the front hubs 3 times. Are they more reliable on the Super Duty's?
Thanks
Thanks
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New User
Joined: Sep 2004
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They are autolocking hubs. (You can't manually lock the hubs, before engaging 4wd because there are no locks to manually lock
)You are suppose to be able to engage 4wd high, while moving, which I have been doing for the 12 years that I have had the truck. You are not suppose to engage it while on pavement, or get stuck first, then engage 4wd and spin the tires, until the front hubs lock. I did neither of these and the first two sets of hubs failed within the 36k warranty. The third set, I had to pay for. This set is still working.
When I buy my new truck, I want something heavy duty and more reliable. I use 4wd quite a bit on my farm.
Thanks
)You are suppose to be able to engage 4wd high, while moving, which I have been doing for the 12 years that I have had the truck. You are not suppose to engage it while on pavement, or get stuck first, then engage 4wd and spin the tires, until the front hubs lock. I did neither of these and the first two sets of hubs failed within the 36k warranty. The third set, I had to pay for. This set is still working.When I buy my new truck, I want something heavy duty and more reliable. I use 4wd quite a bit on my farm.
Thanks
Last edited by dhofmann; Jan 26, 2005 at 08:44 PM.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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You still must engage the hubs from a stand still first, before engaging transfer case. If you don't do this, it has the same effect as if you were stuck, and didn't engage the hubs first. Power from the axle shaft is suddenly applied to the flimsy locking mechanism, result BANG! If you don't beleive me, read the owners manual
Originally Posted by dhofmann
They are autolocking hubs. (You can't manually lock the hubs, before engaging 4wd because there are no locks to manually lock )You are suppose to be able to engage 4wd high, while moving, which I have been doing for the 12 years that I have had the truck. You are not suppose to engage it while on pavement, or get stuck first, then engage 4wd and spin the tires, until the front hubs lock. I did neither of these and the first two sets of hubs failed within the 36k warranty. The third set, I had to pay for. This set is still working.
When I buy my new truck, I want something heavy duty and more reliable. I use 4wd quite a bit on my farm.
Thanks
)You are suppose to be able to engage 4wd high, while moving, which I have been doing for the 12 years that I have had the truck. You are not suppose to engage it while on pavement, or get stuck first, then engage 4wd and spin the tires, until the front hubs lock. I did neither of these and the first two sets of hubs failed within the 36k warranty. The third set, I had to pay for. This set is still working.When I buy my new truck, I want something heavy duty and more reliable. I use 4wd quite a bit on my farm.
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 279
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From: Tillsonburg ON
Hey 3/4er, can you explain it to me it a bit plainer terms ... I have a 92 F150 that I use as a commuter and I never got an owners manual with it ... it has a button for 4WD and nothing else. What exactly do you mean by "engaging the hubs" before "engaging the transfer case". I only have one button. It's not that I don't know what the hubs and the transfer case are, my F350 has both manual hubs and an actual floor shifter for the transfer case, it's that I don't understand how I can be engaging them separately on my F150 when there is only a button.
I've used it on the fly and I know that the 4x4 engages and that all wheels drive at that point. Although I prefer to engage it before I start moving, in extenuating circumstances, I've used it on the fly at speeds up to 35mph, but I usually back off the accelerator before pushing the button. Am I doing my truck any damage?
Thanks ...
I've used it on the fly and I know that the 4x4 engages and that all wheels drive at that point. Although I prefer to engage it before I start moving, in extenuating circumstances, I've used it on the fly at speeds up to 35mph, but I usually back off the accelerator before pushing the button. Am I doing my truck any damage?
Thanks ...
Last edited by duc_grrl; Jan 26, 2005 at 11:11 PM.
Elder User
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From a stand still, you engage the tranfer case (button), as you move forward the hubs lock. Now you can disengage the transfer case if you want, and drive away, the hubs are still locked. Whenever you want 4 wheel drive you just hit the button, the hubs are already locked (no harsh engagement). The hubs stay locked until you backup 12ft. in a straight line.
See, when power is applied through the transfer case the axle shafts turn, and this is what causes the automatic locking mechanism in the hubs to engage.
When you do this at highway speed, the locking mechanism doesn't take to well, to the sudden application of torque.
If this difficult for me to explain, you should see me give driving directions.
See, when power is applied through the transfer case the axle shafts turn, and this is what causes the automatic locking mechanism in the hubs to engage.
When you do this at highway speed, the locking mechanism doesn't take to well, to the sudden application of torque.
If this difficult for me to explain, you should see me give driving directions.
Originally Posted by duc_grrl
Hey 3/4er, can you explain it to me it a bit plainer terms ... I have a 92 F150 that I use as a commuter and I never got an owners manual with it ... it has a button for 4WD and nothing else. What exactly do you mean by "engaging the hubs" before "engaging the transfer case". I only have one button. It's not that I don't know what the hubs and the transfer case are, my F350 has both manual hubs and an actual floor shifter for the transfer case, it's that I don't understand how I can be engaging them separately on my F150 when there is only a button.
I've used it on the fly and I know that the 4x4 engages and that all wheels drive at that point. Although I prefer to engage it before I start moving, in extenuating circumstances, I've used it on the fly at speeds up to 35mph, but I usually back off the accelerator before pushing the button. Am I doing my truck any damage?
Thanks ...
I've used it on the fly and I know that the 4x4 engages and that all wheels drive at that point. Although I prefer to engage it before I start moving, in extenuating circumstances, I've used it on the fly at speeds up to 35mph, but I usually back off the accelerator before pushing the button. Am I doing my truck any damage?
Thanks ...
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 594
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Pre SuperDuty: You ain't suppose to engage 4 wheel drive at speed when the hubs are not locked. Read the owners Manual.
Originally Posted by dhofmann
My owners manual says:
You can shift into 4wd at speeds up to 55 mph. The initial shift from 2wd to 4wd can cause a clunking sound as the front drive train comes up to speed and the hubs lock.
You can shift into 4wd at speeds up to 55 mph. The initial shift from 2wd to 4wd can cause a clunking sound as the front drive train comes up to speed and the hubs lock.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
72k+ miles on my '00 F250 and the ESOF has worked for me everytime I've needed it (knock on wood). And believe me it's quite often that I use it. Maybe it's the frequency of use that helps the reliability. I guess my truck wasn't made on a Monday or a Friday.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
Originally Posted by 2000silverbullet
Maybe it's the frequency of use that helps the reliability.
ON EDIT: We can keep this thread general about Super Dutys or we can confuse the issue.
There's nothing more confusing than subject-jumping.
Last edited by Big Orn; Jan 27, 2005 at 09:53 AM.