locking hubs?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
ESOF troubles...
So I'm sitting at an intersection about to turn right, i engage the esof switch to be sure i have traction going into traffic, I hear the initial click and the 4wd engages as I am making the turn then 4wd goes away and I hear what I thought was a big vacuum leak. No leak as the whistle goes away when I come to a stop...
My question? What the heck did I do? I've gotten home ok and as I turn down my street the noise goes away. I try to lock in the hubs manually and they are frozen, I remove the hubs to clean them a bit and see if I can break them loose, success with 1 but not the other. The driver side is where the noise was coming from. Anyone else heard of this or had a similar issue? This thread is long and I think I've read all but may have missed something...
Thanks gang. BTW, I've been a member here for awhile but had to create a new login...
2003 Limited X 4wd. 110 k.. V10.
My question? What the heck did I do? I've gotten home ok and as I turn down my street the noise goes away. I try to lock in the hubs manually and they are frozen, I remove the hubs to clean them a bit and see if I can break them loose, success with 1 but not the other. The driver side is where the noise was coming from. Anyone else heard of this or had a similar issue? This thread is long and I think I've read all but may have missed something...
Thanks gang. BTW, I've been a member here for awhile but had to create a new login...
2003 Limited X 4wd. 110 k.. V10.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
Looks like my passenger side one is frozen into auto; I wouldn't be surprised thus if the axles and diff aren't locked in - I usually do get bind when I switch into 4x4 on pavement, so I'm guessing they are either frozen into locked or the bind is just coming from the driver side wheel which might still function normally.
What do you guys use to cap the vacuum lines?
Also, what are some of the places that have the best prices on the Mile Markers and the Warns? Best I found for the warn premier was 193 on amazon.
Last but not least, are the Warn premier worth the price over the standards? Only difference I saw between them was the premiers had a lifetime warranty...
What do you guys use to cap the vacuum lines?
Also, what are some of the places that have the best prices on the Mile Markers and the Warns? Best I found for the warn premier was 193 on amazon.
Last but not least, are the Warn premier worth the price over the standards? Only difference I saw between them was the premiers had a lifetime warranty...
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, VA
Mile Marker 449SS - Mile Marker Supreme Locking Hubs - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Only $89.50. This is where I bought mine, they went on easy and look/work great.I just used them yesterday for the first time and they worked flawlessly. it's 3/16' vacuum caps.
Only $89.50. This is where I bought mine, they went on easy and look/work great.I just used them yesterday for the first time and they worked flawlessly. it's 3/16' vacuum caps.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, Nv
I have the warn manual hubs on mine (converted from auto locking). I had the front axles, hubs rebuilt in late summer. The inner bearings in the hubs had gone and wiped out the stub axles. New axles and hubs were installed. Now that we have 6 inches snow and close to zero, when I turn the hubs to lock, they don't engage. The transfer case is engaging as the driveshaft turns. Could too much heavy grease on the warn hubs cause this or could something have been put in wrong? I am 200 miles from the shop that did the work with lots of ice and snow between us, so can't get back there until next week.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, VA
I know on my hubs, they said not to use additional grease, as it will affect the performance of the hub.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I just bought a used 2003 Excursion 4x4. Despite the 4x4 light on the dash illuminating when I switch on the fly, the hubs would not engage as both sides were seized. I removed the hubs, soaked them with liquid wrench to loosen them up and though it worked somewhat, decided to just get Mile Marker manual hubs new on ebay ($75). Disappointed that I no longer have switch on the fly capability but at least I know they work. Opted not to cap the vacuum line since others that have posted have had no issues. Ford OEM hubs are a rip off.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, Nv
Replaced my Warn hubs with the stainless steel MileMarker ones. They work great and are of superior quality. No plastic. When I pulled the Warn hubs, the drivers side the inboard snap ring out allowing the inner workings to push out and not engage. The snap ring didn't fit the groove well at all. The Mile Marker hubs use superior snap rings. The only grease I put in was to lightly coat the splines, per a Mile Marker tech rep.
New User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Manual or auto locking hubs
I had to get my '03 Super duty front hubs serviced. turns out they were all screwed up. i had an extended warranty so they were replaced. problem is they replaced them with SuperWinch manual hubs. Besides the fact that the wheel rim covers now looks out of place they no long shift on the fly. I personally dont care but I'm sure my wife would rather not get out of the car to lock the hubs.
Any suggestions? Should I keep the manuals and find another plactic wheel cover or should I make them get the autolocking hubs???
Any suggestions? Should I keep the manuals and find another plactic wheel cover or should I make them get the autolocking hubs???
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, Nv
My wife likes the manual over the automatic. She says: "At least I know they work when I need them, not like the auto locks that don't work half the time. If I think I may need 4WD, I'll lock them before leaving."
We have a 92 Dodge W250 Cummins with factory manual hubs, we bought the truck new, and they have always worked and she liked them from day one.
IMHO I'd stay with the manual hubs.
We have a 92 Dodge W250 Cummins with factory manual hubs, we bought the truck new, and they have always worked and she liked them from day one.
IMHO I'd stay with the manual hubs.
New User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Her Truck
It is her truck and she likes the idea of not getting out of the truck to lock the hubs when its nasty out or she's sitting in snow....???? Seems like most agree that manuals are the way to go. I just wish the plastic bolt covers matched up to the new hubs. Like I said its her truck so its gotta be pretty....can a truck be pretty?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
It is her truck and she likes the idea of not getting out of the truck to lock the hubs when its nasty out or she's sitting in snow....???? Seems like most agree that manuals are the way to go. I just wish the plastic bolt covers matched up to the new hubs. Like I said its her truck so its gotta be pretty....can a truck be pretty?