My truck is at the dealer for hub noise and vibration. They are telling me this is normal, but I disagree. When my manual hubs are locked in but transfer case is not in four wheel drive, And I make slow right hand turns, I get a popping noise that I can feel in the wheel. They also told me I shouldn't be driving around with my hubs locked. I only leave them locked in the winter. When the hubs are free, No noise whatsoever. Should I expect a quite vibration free hub? It seems to be coming from the drivers side. My searches have revealed that many people are having problems with the DS hub.

I plan to replace the hubs with Warn premium's, but think the dealer should repair the Ford hubs for me while it is under warranty.

 

Unlock your hubs when you don't need to go 4x4.
You don't need to keep them locked in the winter or any other time.
And you shouldn't, you'll destroy them (ie: popping noise you hear and feel).

 

That's normal on the Ford axle. I get it on both right AND left hard turns.

The turning radius is too tight for the u-joints. It's actually the axle itself flopping around inside the bushing/bearing it rides in.

I think the fact is that the turning radius is too tight for the front axles.

It's a VERY good idea to lock the hubs and drive it around for the day, at least every month.

The sound isn't going to hurt anything, I drive around all winter with my hubs locked and no problems.

 

Sorry, but IMO I have to disagree.

That sound (hearing what I did on mine) is not good.
Some of the Fords with ESOF have been known to not disengage totally from 4X4 even after you shift to 2WD. This will and has eaten up hubs. I am on my third left hub. I make it a point to rotate the hub lock two times. I understand about the shorter turn radius and that is true. But, it can cause premature/uneven tire wear by scuffing.
You get more component wear on the entire front drive mechanism and lower gas mileage with the hubs locked.

However, it is a good practice to lock the hubs weekly, this turns the crown wheel inside thus circulating oil around and heating the bearing grease and circulating it. Also it stops what is called brenelling. It's, when the bearing sits in one spot and from the vibrations where the ***** contact the inner and outer raceways of the bearing it starts to chip the case hardening thus shortening the bearing's life.

And I also want to point out that the crown wheel in your front diff is not completely immersed in oil. The top half is exposed to air. Any condensation you have in your diff will result in a thin film of water sitting on top of that oil, all combining to create slight surface rust on what should be a very clean and shiny crown wheel.
Some ppl (myself included) will lock the hubs a few miles before doing hard core 4X4, this allows everything to heat up and lube up before putting stress on it.

Once a week or so, lock 'em up, drive for the day, lube everything up then unlock 'em.

 

It's a VERY good idea to lock the hubs and drive it around for the day, at least every month.

The sound isn't going to hurt anything,


This is news to me! I've always been told to unlock your hubs if manual or leave them in the auto position if they are esof when 4x4 is not needed. In fact, I believe I've read this in the Ford Owners Manual! Running your vehicle with the front hubs locked on dry pavement will destroy your front U-joints and hubs in short order! I'd be surpirsed if the Stealership would warranty your hubs if you've broken them from driving with your hubs locked on dry pavement. Maybe once if they are aweful nice? The popping noise your hearing is the binding in the front Ujoints and hubs from turning sharply on dry pavement. One wheel is turning at a different speed/ratio than other and the tires cannot slip on dry pavement like they do in snow/mud/wet road that allows for different ratios from side to side. If you listen carefully, you'll also hear your tires chirping.

 

You have to lube the front diff at least once a month. Period. It helps to keep the oil slinging around in there - do you REALLY want the front ring gear to corrod on the side not sitting in oil for 6 months?


The "noise" the poster asked about is with MANUAL hubs, and when he has the hubs locked, but not in 4WD, and makes a tight right turn, he hears the TYPICAL u-joint binding that happens with Ford front-ends...

Period.

art k.

 

I think everyone is talking about two different things. He's talking about manual hubs, and driving with the hubs locked in 2wd. In that case, the front wheels are still able to turn at different speeds via the diff. The problem on a hard surface comes when you lock into 4wd via the transfer case and the front and rear wheels are locked and not able to turn at different speeds. This will definitely tear things up.

Aside from that, I think it is a good idea to let your front diff. turn about once a month to lube everything and give it a little excercise. Just make sure you do it on a soft surface if you have ESOF.

 

With or without ESOF, you still want to lube them up.
I know the original poster has manual hubs, but with MY ESOF you can also switch the hubs manually from AUTO to LOCKED.

 

No, No, No... even manual hubs, people with them locked have the "noise" that's the binding of the u-joint at max deflection. Nature of the beast.

 

I'm sorry Krewat, but I just can't quite understand ya with your Lon-Gileand accent.

 

Its got nothing to do with Difs and having it 4 wheel drive. It has to do with the hubs being locked. That locked hub is matting that wheel tire to that U-Joint behind that wheel and you lock it in i dont care what dif you have or if your trans is locked into 4 wheel or not you are going to get a poping. That U-Joint is limited on how much it can pivot locked to that wheel. Its just a fact as it has been stated before. If you lock the hub and turn hard your going to get a pop.

ryan

 

Well, I went back to the dealer and drove a brand new 05 SD with 9 miles on it and it has the same popping sound from the hubs. So I guess it is what it is. Will I get this same noise with Warn hubs.

 

Running the with the hubs locked in 2wd is fine. The new Jeeps have no hubs and all the stuff in the axle and front drive staft are turning all the time only the transfer case is disconnected. Granted is not a great setup because of gas mileage and the wear. Running it once a month with the hubs locked are good for the seals and keeps things lubed up. Do it!

 

Sorry, this thread is getting a little confusing. I wasn't disagreeing about the noise. Yes, the noise will happen when the hubs are locked regardless of 4wd/2wd.

I was replying to another reply, and I was bringing the thread way off topic. My bad!

 

Whew! I got a headache!
It looks to me that we are talking about many things here. I think everybody has a point here. Running the front end with the hubs locked at least once a month is good - to lube up the front end period. BUT-running with the front hubs locked will create poor mileage and undue wear and tear on the hubs and u joints, so don't run with locked hubs unless your lubing the front end or needing 4x4 due to conditions. Popping in the front end when turning tight with locked hubs is normal on dry surfaces due to the limitaions of the Ujoints and hubs. To prevent popping-unlock your hubs or put them in "auto" position of they are esof.