Question About Locking Hubs
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
Question About Locking Hubs
Yesterday my truck started squealing around the front passenger side, anyway it was almost like a whistling sound .. I was kinda worried since my truck only has 25k miles and thought maybe a bearing or something like that was going out.. come to find out someone had turned the hub from auto to lock.. as soon as I changed it back to auto the noise went away.. I only drove it maybe 5 miles.. Would that be a normal noise if the hubs were locked in? and do you think it hurt anything?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
Had this before as well. When I would put it in 4WD, there would be a squeeling. Turns out there was some rubbing on the disc brake backing plate. Little tweak and it was okay. Pull the wheel of, lock the hub and see if you can see anything rubbing while it's turning. That was an easy fix.
The other problem is not so friendly. You could have the bearings going bad. The unitized bearing assembly that Ford uses in't serviceable and has to be replaced as a whole. It runs between 260 - 400 dollars per side.
Check for rubbing first, as it's an easy fix. You won't have done any damage with a hub locked, all you were doing was tuning the axle shafts and gears, no big deal. You need to do it every so often as stated above.
Oh and welcome to FTE. Hope we started you in the right direction.
The other problem is not so friendly. You could have the bearings going bad. The unitized bearing assembly that Ford uses in't serviceable and has to be replaced as a whole. It runs between 260 - 400 dollars per side.
Check for rubbing first, as it's an easy fix. You won't have done any damage with a hub locked, all you were doing was tuning the axle shafts and gears, no big deal. You need to do it every so often as stated above.
Oh and welcome to FTE. Hope we started you in the right direction.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: PHOENIX
Sometimes when they are in auto and you put the transfer case in 4x4, they may not engage. Thats why it is better to put them in lock if you know you are going to use/need 4x4. When you put them in lock, you know they are engaged. When you put them in auto, you hope that the solenoids/vacumn lines do their job when called upon.
The auto feature is basically a convenience feature.
steve
The auto feature is basically a convenience feature.
steve
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
When in auto and you switch to 4x4, you are in 4WD unless the vacuum system fails, such as a leak, loose connection, etc. The lock position is for this purpose. If the vacuum system fails, you still have 4WD.
Normally, just leave it in auto. If you have it in lock and are driving all you are doing is turning the front axle shafts, gear and drive shaft. The front driveshaft is not engaged at the TC so you aren't damaging anything.
Normally, just leave it in auto. If you have it in lock and are driving all you are doing is turning the front axle shafts, gear and drive shaft. The front driveshaft is not engaged at the TC so you aren't damaging anything.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Frederick MD & missing AK
Dont the auto hubs have to rotate a certain amount to engage? That is why you have the option to manually lock the hubs...if you cant get enough wheel spin to engage them automatically.
This is all why I prefter fully manual hubs.
This is all why I prefter fully manual hubs.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
Originally Posted by racinghoss
Dont the auto hubs have to rotate a certain amount to engage? That is why you have the option to manually lock the hubs...if you cant get enough wheel spin to engage them automatically.
This is all why I prefter fully manual hubs.
This is all why I prefter fully manual hubs.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by Crash687
damage could occur if left too long like that
More real facts:
The needle bearing that sits inside the "unitized" bearing that the axle rides in: It ONLY rotates when the hub is UNLOCKED. If this bearing is bad, it would squeel when the hub is UNLOCKED and NOT squeel when the hub is LOCKED. This needle bearing CAN BE CHANGED without buying a whole new wheel bearing. It's a federal B-2110 or so, I believe - whatever it is, it's the same bearing used back to the 70's in Dana 44 axles. At least, it is for '04 and before.
Why it's squeeling when LOCKED, the only reason I can think of would be if the hub isn't engaging (or it's stripped) or the axle-tube seal is screeching - does 4x4 work? (and what I mean by "work" is go on dirt, and slam the gas to make sure not just the rear-tires are getting power).
art k.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Frederick MD & missing AK
Originally Posted by ford390gashog
This is all why I prefter fully manual hubs.
same here and a manual t case . no need for the fancy stuff.
same here and a manual t case . no need for the fancy stuff.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
What are the steps to replace the needle bearing? Is this a simple process or do I need a real mechanic? I just spent $700 replacing the right hub/bearing assembly. Now I hear noise coming out of the left front wheel when the hub is set to AUTO.
