Question about locking hubs.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 4
From: Michigan
Question about locking hubs.
I always hear people say that it's not good to leave your hubs locked when driving on the highway or for that matter daily driving all winter long. I don't get what the bad part about it is. I know about the loss of mpg and additional wear, but is there any harm in doing this. Most modern 4x4s have there hubs locked full time. I've owned full time 4x4s(79 Blazer) also and had no problems driving them down the freeway. Is there something about the Ford 4x4 system that is harmful to leave the hubs engaged(transfercase disengaged of course). 4x4 gurus please enlighten me.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
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From: Lynnwood, WA
Many (most?) modern 4x4s are actually AWDs, and they can leave the hubs locked all the time. The problem with true 4WD vehicles is that the wheels are "locked" to each other, meaning that they turn at the same rate when the hubs are locked and in 4WD mode. When cornering, the inside and outside wheels want to turn at different rates, and that may lead to drivetrain stress on roads with good traction. With AWD vehicles, there's an LS unit, viscous coupling, or some other kind of solution like electronic control to allow some slippage to prevent this.
You can have the hubs locked and running in 2H with no problem, however.
You can have the hubs locked and running in 2H with no problem, however.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,976
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From: Rep. of Texas
even if your T-case is disenguaged you are spinning the tires> hubs> half-shafts> axles> ring> pinion> driveshaft> t-case.
Its just the T case isnt getting any power. they werent desinged for high speeds, and you could also cook the fluids in there because its ATF with no cooling device.
Its just the T case isnt getting any power. they werent desinged for high speeds, and you could also cook the fluids in there because its ATF with no cooling device.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
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From: Elkhart IN
the case doesnt make that much heat, unless theres already a problem. my 88 is locked permanently in 4wd, never had a problem with it. i just leave both hubs unlocked unless i need it. now, if you only leave one hub locked, and drive, it will cook your spiders, then you do have a problem. you are fine leaving it locked in, but in 2 hi on the road.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,324
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From: Michigan
The reason I ask is that my wife has been driving my truck since our Suburban is in the body shop. She works midnights and we often have snow overnight. I have been leaving the hubs locked for her in case she needs 4x4. I don't expect her to get out and lock or unlock the hubs, she's used to her Suburban and when I had the auto hubs on my truck. I didn't think it would do much harm, just a little extra wear on things. It's a small price to pay to be safe.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,324
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From: Michigan
RawPower. Why do you say that the parts weren't designed for high speeds. Don't you have very similar parts on the rear end. U-joints, ring and pinion, driveshaft, etc. All these parts spin at high speeds with no problem. The transfercase is already spinning to drive the rear driveshaft and runs cool. Why is spinning the front output shaft any different?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,976
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From: Rep. of Texas
it all depends on what you have in your front end... if you run an open diff, like they said, leave one hub open and the other locked, your spiders are screwed after a little while... the transfer case isnt actually spinning though... its just the one gear that is disengaged from the front driveline output... unless you are chain driven, like me. I dont know as much about the new processes, just my BW.
the main reason i leave the tcase unlocked is the added jerkiness when engaging the clutch to drive off. most of it isnt ther if the hubs are unlocked, but most isnt all...
the main reason i leave the tcase unlocked is the added jerkiness when engaging the clutch to drive off. most of it isnt ther if the hubs are unlocked, but most isnt all...
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Originally Posted by RawPower
it all depends on what you have in your front end... if you run an open diff, like they said, leave one hub open and the other locked, your spiders are screwed after a little while...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
On our Mazda truck (Ranger) the hubs stay locked all winter. On my truck I used to leave them locked all the time. I don't anymore because of the u-joints I'm running now, they require more frequent greasing if locked on the highway. Other than a little wear on u-joints and bearings there's no harm done.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
> but is there any harm in doing this
For the most part, no.
My 1971 F-100 4x4 I left locked all the time unless I had a very long highway drive planned where the extra 2 mpg would make a difference. I used my 4x4 at leats 2-3 times a week so unlocking the hubs would get old quick.
Same with my Bronco IIs. Though I would unlock them because the steering felt heavy, locked or unlocked, it made no difference in mileage. If I forgot or it was winter or raining I just left them locked.
My BIIs saw a LOT of driving of 1.5 hours straight each day at 55 mph. No problems or wear .
For the most part, no.
My 1971 F-100 4x4 I left locked all the time unless I had a very long highway drive planned where the extra 2 mpg would make a difference. I used my 4x4 at leats 2-3 times a week so unlocking the hubs would get old quick.
Same with my Bronco IIs. Though I would unlock them because the steering felt heavy, locked or unlocked, it made no difference in mileage. If I forgot or it was winter or raining I just left them locked.
My BIIs saw a LOT of driving of 1.5 hours straight each day at 55 mph. No problems or wear .
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Originally Posted by RawPower
k sno man.... thats different, they arent toasting their spider gears. im pretty sure they disconnect both sides anywys
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: GANS
Originally Posted by The SnoMan
No they are not for sure. I can show you the parts diagrams of them too. GM still does it on 06 models and has continuously since 88 on newer style trucks, AAM which supplies the axles for GM and Dodge offers version the disconnects both side but they are not using it still. Ford was always on up on them there with most of their 4x4 models.