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Intelligent answer for a stupid question !
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Well, normally I would say that the hubs locked in doesn't matter, as long as the t case isn't locked in, but I had an experience with an 84 250 that says otherwise. I have left the hubs locked in and run down the road with no ill effects, other than a vibration that isn't there, but on this one occasion, I had just come off the gravel road that had hood high snow drifts, and didn't need it in 4wd antmore, so i pushed the tcase lever forward, and shortly after getting to speed, the front driveshatf twisted in half, shot the back half through the shifter boot, and the front half flopped around and did it's damage before i got stopped to check it out. Apparently the rear u joint seized, and would not flex, therefore twisting the driveshaft in half. That's the only explanation I can come up with, as it was not in 4wd. The u-joint was purple...
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Alaska
I say leave them locked. You lose a little MPG, but nothing noticeable.
I live in Alaska and lock the hubs on both my rigs during the first snowfall and they stay locked till spring.
Toyrobotus mentioned bushings that may go bad. I'm guessing we're talking about bushings in the locking hub assembly right? I don't see how staying locked would cause this. When locked, the hub turns with the axle shaft. When unlocked, they spin while the shaft doesn't. I think that would eat a bushing faster, if it even does any damage.
fellro86- I think preventive maintainance could have prevented you experiance. It's true that a locked hubs can wear parts faster. A good PM schedule will keep all that in check.
I live in Alaska and lock the hubs on both my rigs during the first snowfall and they stay locked till spring.
Toyrobotus mentioned bushings that may go bad. I'm guessing we're talking about bushings in the locking hub assembly right? I don't see how staying locked would cause this. When locked, the hub turns with the axle shaft. When unlocked, they spin while the shaft doesn't. I think that would eat a bushing faster, if it even does any damage.
fellro86- I think preventive maintainance could have prevented you experiance. It's true that a locked hubs can wear parts faster. A good PM schedule will keep all that in check.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Originally Posted by Kaleo
fellro86- I think preventive maintainance could have prevented you experiance. It's true that a locked hubs can wear parts faster. A good PM schedule will keep all that in check.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,346
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From: missouri
okay time for my two sense.... anybody remember the 70's model full time 4x4? I do had 2 and I converted them to part time the funnthing is they are both the same front end just diffent locking mechanisms... also all you newer trucks (beside FORD superduty) all have a unlock front end check them out they look like a FWD car on the hubs.... I have ran in the winter OR muddy conditions my front end locked in with the stick out no problems BUT on a few trucks I noticed the steering a little more stiffer... sometimes a little more dogger on take off's so I would say no big problem ...had a freind (older gent) bought a new SD drove it around for 2 years with the front locked in and the stick out... my dad told me this and I told him to unlock them he did start seeing better gas milage...
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Mine used to stay locked in year round so I could park the truck in front of one of my houses. The concrete street was so steep and had enough loose gravel on it that the truck would slide off. I did replace a lot of front axle u joints but snow plowing also had a lot to do with that. I finally got a limited slip in the rear and it will stay there when I park it now, so I run them locked in a lot less. Most driveline shops will tell you to lock it in and drive it for 50 to 100 miles a month year round to keep everything loose and lubed.
Leaving the hubs locked in will drop your mileage about 1 MPG or less and it will wear on the u joints a bit if you do not keep them lubed regularly.
If you have limited slip or a locker in the front axle I would say turn them out.
If you have an open differential leave them locked in, just remember to lube the u joints more often.
Leaving the hubs locked in will drop your mileage about 1 MPG or less and it will wear on the u joints a bit if you do not keep them lubed regularly.
If you have limited slip or a locker in the front axle I would say turn them out.
If you have an open differential leave them locked in, just remember to lube the u joints more often.
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From: newfoundland canada
Originally Posted by Dave Sponaugle
If you have limited slip or a locker in the front axle I would say turn them out.
If you have an open differential leave them locked in, just remember to lube the u joints more often.
If you have an open differential leave them locked in, just remember to lube the u joints more often.
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