Manual Locking Hubs
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 37
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From: Tampa
Manual Locking Hubs
I have an 05 F-250 FX4 with manual locking hubs. This is the first truck that i have had with manual locking hubs. What is the max speed you can drive with the hubs locked? Can you leave the hubs locked at all times?
Doug
Doug
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
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From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
I believe the fastest they say you can go is around 50MPH when in 4 wheel drive.. I usually don't go over 40. DO NOT drive in 4 wheel drive on dry pavement. In all the plow trucks at work we leave all the hubs locked (transfer case in 2 wheel drive unless plowing) from the first snow fall until the last one. If we have to go on a long trip we unlock them.
You can drive on dry pavement with the hubs locked as long as the transfer case is in 2 wheel drive.
-Matt
You can drive on dry pavement with the hubs locked as long as the transfer case is in 2 wheel drive.
-Matt
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 77
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why is the max speed 50? is this just recommended, a safe speed for snow, or can the truck not handle any faster?
for some reason my truck handled itself better when i locked the hubs manually as opposed to auto. on the road there was no difference but i'm talkin about parking lots and comin into my driveway, where turning was sharper.
for some reason my truck handled itself better when i locked the hubs manually as opposed to auto. on the road there was no difference but i'm talkin about parking lots and comin into my driveway, where turning was sharper.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
There is no reason to be going faster than 50 MPH in 4 wheel drive. You use 4 wheel drive for traction. If you are going that fast then you obviously have traction, if not then you are driving too fast for the weather conditions. Plus, you start wrecking things when you go faster than that. The front tires are spinning, the back tires are spinning and the truck is trying to keep everything the same speed. You lose your "margin of error" when going that fast. Not good for the transfer case.
-Matt
-Matt
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Originally Posted by Beast12
There is no reason to be going faster than 50 MPH in 4 wheel drive. You use 4 wheel drive for traction. If you are going that fast then you obviously have traction, if not then you are driving too fast for the weather conditions. Plus, you start wrecking things when you go faster than that. The front tires are spinning, the back tires are spinning and the truck is trying to keep everything the same speed. You lose your "margin of error" when going that fast. Not good for the transfer case.
-Matt
-Matt
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Northern Va
Originally Posted by bigblu250
If 50 is the max speed for driving in 4x4, then why does my owner's maual clearly state I can engage 4x4 up to 55 mph? Not trying to be a smart alec, just curious.
Personally, I can't imagine any reason to be going 55 with 4x4 engaged YIKES!!
ON EDIT.. I see beast beat me to it. Maybe he had a conversion error when he did the KPH to MPH in his head
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 143
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From: OH....IO
Thanks fellas, just wondering....don't want to be a smart alec. For the record, I haven't engaged or driven the thing above 45 mph with 4x4 engaged. If I need 4x4 to get somewhere because there's snow flying, I don't travel on the freeway, they are usually clogged with cell-phone drivers and soccer-moms in SUV's. ( Oh crap, there's snow on the ground, time to drive like idiots.. 
) Traffic around here can be a real pain.
Alright, alright...enough ranting
) Traffic around here can be a real pain.Alright, alright...enough ranting
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
The transfer case in a Super Duty has a chain that drives the front output portion of the transfer case. Chains (by nature) have a 'speed limit', by which I mean that they are not suited for extremely high speed use. Gears are better suited for high speeds. Chains will whip and oscillate and do other bad things at high speeds. Ultimately, they will stretch and get noisy when they are significantly worn.
Typically, the 'not over 55 MPH' recommendation has nothing to do with the front axle and everything to do with the transfer case chain.
Steve
Typically, the 'not over 55 MPH' recommendation has nothing to do with the front axle and everything to do with the transfer case chain.
Steve
