Auto/Locked
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Peace River, Alberta
Auto/Locked
Hey all,
Just a quick question about the stock hubs on a 03 F-250 SD V-10.
Is it better to run the hubs in the AUTO or LOCKED setting?
I have it AUTO right now is it better to put it in LOCKED?
Thx in advance
Just a quick question about the stock hubs on a 03 F-250 SD V-10.
Is it better to run the hubs in the AUTO or LOCKED setting?
I have it AUTO right now is it better to put it in LOCKED?
Thx in advance
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 8
From: OK
Keep them in "AUTO". They will "auto"magically engage when you turn the **** on the dash to one of the 4WD settings.
Just be sure to manually rotate them to "LOCKED" (then back to AUTO) once a month to keep them from getting stuck in AUTO.
Just be sure to manually rotate them to "LOCKED" (then back to AUTO) once a month to keep them from getting stuck in AUTO.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
Auto: Means that you dont have to get out and Manually lock the hubs in. Its done all by vacuum when its in Auto and you switch it into 4x4.
Locked: means the hubs are locked in all the time, no matter wheither your in 4x4 or not. The front hubs wont engage until u switch it to 4x4! Also when the Auto function wont work u can put it in the locked position for 4x4! (know from experience)
Hope that explains it a little better for ya. Also when in Auto u can exspect the front hubs to not engage up to 45 seconds. Thats in the manual in case u didnt know!!
Jeff
Locked: means the hubs are locked in all the time, no matter wheither your in 4x4 or not. The front hubs wont engage until u switch it to 4x4! Also when the Auto function wont work u can put it in the locked position for 4x4! (know from experience)
Hope that explains it a little better for ya. Also when in Auto u can exspect the front hubs to not engage up to 45 seconds. Thats in the manual in case u didnt know!!
Jeff
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: southern california
My 2002 got stuck in the sand and i got out with the shovel to dig it out, my buddy watched and said only my back tires were turning, so i locked in the hubs and it pulled out of the sand. I took it to the dealer and i had a vacuum leak that wasn't letting the hubs lock on auto, so now i lock the hubs in when i go off road.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 16
All the above posts are correct. In "auto" setting it takes a little wheel rotation for the hubs to lock in , In "locked" you know you are in and my last two ESOF trucks I would have them locked in for weeks at a time just so I could count on them.
I ordered the manual transfer case on my 05 and you get "free" and " locked" positions on the hub , Mine has been on "locked" for two weeks now. Don't hurt them a bit.
Take care and have a Happy New Year. Time to go have another Rusty Nail.
Drambuie and Scotch, half and half on ice...........now that is a silk sledgehammer.
I ordered the manual transfer case on my 05 and you get "free" and " locked" positions on the hub , Mine has been on "locked" for two weeks now. Don't hurt them a bit.
Take care and have a Happy New Year. Time to go have another Rusty Nail.
Drambuie and Scotch, half and half on ice...........now that is a silk sledgehammer.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 568
Likes: 38
From: Henniker
To add to wrenchtravellers statement, locking the hubs in once in a while also ensures the u joints dont seize up. Keeps everything moving and lubricated.few times a year I will lock them in for a week or so.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 9
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In a moment of uncharacteristic genius the other night (if I do say so myself, and I hope I'm not unconciously plagiarizing someone else's idea!), I came up with an idea for a hublock tool to exercise frozen or stiff ESOF locking hubs.
I took a scrap piece of 1 1/2" sched. 40 PVC pipe, cut to 8" length, cut a notch with a hacksaw in the end 9/16" wide by 3/8" deep to mate with the hub lock "bar" on the front hubs (I have an ESOF 2002 F-350 V-10 SC), and it allows you to easily move those neglected OEM front hubs that don't want to move so easily.
I have a "stiff" right hub that I cannot move by hand; using this tool, I don't damage it (a la Channellock pliers), but it moves easily and I can lock it in, or set it to AUTO at will with only hand-strength.
Tool fits into the door pocket in the rear SC door, or under the front seat, in case you need to lock the hubs in and they don't want to cooperate in the woods!
Anyone interested in pix, I've got a couple (PM me), but it's pretty self-explanatory.
I took a scrap piece of 1 1/2" sched. 40 PVC pipe, cut to 8" length, cut a notch with a hacksaw in the end 9/16" wide by 3/8" deep to mate with the hub lock "bar" on the front hubs (I have an ESOF 2002 F-350 V-10 SC), and it allows you to easily move those neglected OEM front hubs that don't want to move so easily.
I have a "stiff" right hub that I cannot move by hand; using this tool, I don't damage it (a la Channellock pliers), but it moves easily and I can lock it in, or set it to AUTO at will with only hand-strength.
Tool fits into the door pocket in the rear SC door, or under the front seat, in case you need to lock the hubs in and they don't want to cooperate in the woods!
Anyone interested in pix, I've got a couple (PM me), but it's pretty self-explanatory.