Auto Locking Hubs
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
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Auto Locking Hubs
I am new to the auto locking hubs and from pretty much everyone on here they would prefer them. Can you leave your hubs in the locked position as long as you are dealing with 4wd conditions ie snow? Or do you need to get out of the vehicle each time that you are going to put it in 4wd? Thank you for your knowledge in advance.
Chris
Chris
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
Welcome to FTE, cpf0300.
If your hubs are working properly, you don't have to put them in the LOCK position at all, the ESOF system takes care of that for you. Just leave them in AUTO.
Do you have a problem with them?
If your hubs are working properly, you don't have to put them in the LOCK position at all, the ESOF system takes care of that for you. Just leave them in AUTO.
Do you have a problem with them?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 425
Likes: 8
From: Park Ridge, Illinois
Just leave it in the auto position. That way, when you need the 4X4, jut turn the ****!
A couple of tricks to keep the hubs lasting a little longer:
1) Engage the 4X4 at least once a month to exercise / lubricate everything.
2) Twist the auto / manual **** on each of the hubs back and forth a couple times every couple of months.
It really helps keep everything working. My brother started doing that after his first set of hubs went on his older F250. Since then, no problem. Others in the group do it too!
A couple of tricks to keep the hubs lasting a little longer:
1) Engage the 4X4 at least once a month to exercise / lubricate everything.
2) Twist the auto / manual **** on each of the hubs back and forth a couple times every couple of months.
It really helps keep everything working. My brother started doing that after his first set of hubs went on his older F250. Since then, no problem. Others in the group do it too!
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
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Big Orn,
No i have no problem that I know of. I just bought the vehicle and was wondering if I could leave the hubs in the lock position when it is going to snow so that I do not have to get out of the vehicle and lock the hubs. They will lock automatically? I am going to engage everything this weekend to make sure that everything is working well and lubricated. Thanks for the help.
No i have no problem that I know of. I just bought the vehicle and was wondering if I could leave the hubs in the lock position when it is going to snow so that I do not have to get out of the vehicle and lock the hubs. They will lock automatically? I am going to engage everything this weekend to make sure that everything is working well and lubricated. Thanks for the help.
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
only time i get out and lock mine is when i hit deep snow and have to rock the truck to get unstuck from being a jerk and getting into that kind of spot.
i think it's more of a safty factor ford built into the hubs should it loose a vac. hose or seal to the hub. you can over ride the auto lock and still have 4x4 .
2 years so far and no problems doing as the other guys do. when it's wet i engage the 4x4 . helps me to keep from spinning tires with this smooth running beast.
i think it's more of a safty factor ford built into the hubs should it loose a vac. hose or seal to the hub. you can over ride the auto lock and still have 4x4 .
2 years so far and no problems doing as the other guys do. when it's wet i engage the 4x4 . helps me to keep from spinning tires with this smooth running beast.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
Same as what Charlie said. I only put mine into lock when going offroad and may incounter something that may catch on the vacumn lines. Never had a problem just a little extra insurance. If you do drive around town with them in the lock position you'll just burn a little more gas/diesel. Over the long term it will increase the wear on you front rotating components as you are spinning the front axles, driveshaft, and differencial etc. with the hubs locked in. At work (open pit mine) the manual hubs are put into lock and spend their life that way.
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Freshman User
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thank you, now that i know and understand i will only lock them when necessary. I thought you had to lock them in during bad weather (snow, rain, ice, etc...). Well, I will only lock when necessary. Thank you for your help this website is great b/c of people like you guys. Thank you.
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Joe Kucinski
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
Keep in mind, ESOF means Electronic Shift on the Fly
If you're not moving, and go to 4x4, the vacuum hubs may not lock.
The "lock" position is in case you can't move enough to get the hubs to lock.
I read it somewhere in my owner's manual I think.
The fact that the vacuum system may fail was not the primary reason for the manually-lockable hubs - I think
If you're not moving, and go to 4x4, the vacuum hubs may not lock.
The "lock" position is in case you can't move enough to get the hubs to lock.
I read it somewhere in my owner's manual I think.
The fact that the vacuum system may fail was not the primary reason for the manually-lockable hubs - I think
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
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From: NE Texas
CP,
Get a manual or some other literature about the ESOF system. Knowing how it works will help out soooooo much.
As krewat said, something has to move in order for the hubs to lock, just like the manual hubs do; either the tires have to rotate or the axle has to rotate in order for the splines in the hub to align with the splines on the axle.
To explain again about the AUTO feature, you should never have to get out of your truck to lock them in if they are operating properly. Otherwise, when you turn the switch on the dash, the system will lock the hubs for you.
Get a manual or some other literature about the ESOF system. Knowing how it works will help out soooooo much.
As krewat said, something has to move in order for the hubs to lock, just like the manual hubs do; either the tires have to rotate or the axle has to rotate in order for the splines in the hub to align with the splines on the axle.
To explain again about the AUTO feature, you should never have to get out of your truck to lock them in if they are operating properly. Otherwise, when you turn the switch on the dash, the system will lock the hubs for you.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,733
Likes: 38
But to add more emphasis to what is already said once or twice....
these electronic and vacuum systems MUST be frequently used or they WILL CRAP OUT!
Every other week or at the very least once a month all your sub systems need to be "EXERCISED" this includes all the windows, door locks, mirror motors, vacuum positions on the AC/Heater unit etc.
The Electronic Shift On the Fly (ESOF) system is a two part gizmo
on your transfer case is an electric motor that provides the shift from High range 2 wheel drive to High range 4 wheel drive and also to Low range 4 wheel drive
when ever the switch is set to one of the three positions there is a vacuum pulse sent to the front hubs to engage or disengage the front axles.
The week link in the system is the vacuum hubs...if they get all groady, corroded, loaded with mud and crap, or just seize up from lack of use.... they will fail by either not fully engaging, only engage one side or later, not disengage....
The same with the electric motor shifter on the transfer case...
I have been using the ESOF system for 7 years now and like it..I have helped fix other co-workers who's system was hosed... when asked they all said they had never tried to use in for over three years.... DOH!
these electronic and vacuum systems MUST be frequently used or they WILL CRAP OUT!
Every other week or at the very least once a month all your sub systems need to be "EXERCISED" this includes all the windows, door locks, mirror motors, vacuum positions on the AC/Heater unit etc.
The Electronic Shift On the Fly (ESOF) system is a two part gizmo
on your transfer case is an electric motor that provides the shift from High range 2 wheel drive to High range 4 wheel drive and also to Low range 4 wheel drive
when ever the switch is set to one of the three positions there is a vacuum pulse sent to the front hubs to engage or disengage the front axles.
The week link in the system is the vacuum hubs...if they get all groady, corroded, loaded with mud and crap, or just seize up from lack of use.... they will fail by either not fully engaging, only engage one side or later, not disengage....
The same with the electric motor shifter on the transfer case...
I have been using the ESOF system for 7 years now and like it..I have helped fix other co-workers who's system was hosed... when asked they all said they had never tried to use in for over three years.... DOH!
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
Fred, I agree with you, however my 2001 by the time it was 1.5 years old was giving me problems. They'd lock when they were supposed to unlock, not lock at all, lock for the initial vacuum pulse but let go when the vacuum went away, etc.
Used it everytime it rained, average 2-3 times a month, in the winter (first few years I had the truck we had 2+ feet of snow at times), in the dirt, anywhere I could.
Diagnosed everything, no problems whatsoever that I could find, hubs cleaned, still same thing.
Since I've switched to Warns, they work perfect
Used it everytime it rained, average 2-3 times a month, in the winter (first few years I had the truck we had 2+ feet of snow at times), in the dirt, anywhere I could.
Diagnosed everything, no problems whatsoever that I could find, hubs cleaned, still same thing.
Since I've switched to Warns, they work perfect
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 65
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From: Canton,MI
Hubs now won't unlock
Funny thing happened the other day. I was reading this post and went out and tried the auto locking for this winter. No worky. So I jumped from my steed and turned the hubs to the manual postion. Harder than hell to turn. WALLA! locked!
Drove around on the dirt raod and then truned to off. Hubs turned to auto and agian hard to turn. I just used them this summer with no problems. No they are still locked. Found this out while trying to get it turned in the parking structure at work. Sorta hard to find a tight parking spot with the hubs locked.
How hard are the hubs to work on?? Any Idea's on a quicky way to resolve my problem. If i need to dissassemble the hubs should I upgrade??
Thanks for any info.
Sorry to hijack this post.
Drove around on the dirt raod and then truned to off. Hubs turned to auto and agian hard to turn. I just used them this summer with no problems. No they are still locked. Found this out while trying to get it turned in the parking structure at work. Sorta hard to find a tight parking spot with the hubs locked.
How hard are the hubs to work on?? Any Idea's on a quicky way to resolve my problem. If i need to dissassemble the hubs should I upgrade??
Thanks for any info.
Sorry to hijack this post.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Originally Posted by krewat
Fred, I agree with you, however my 2001 by the time it was 1.5 years old was giving me problems. They'd lock when they were supposed to unlock, not lock at all, lock for the initial vacuum pulse but let go when the vacuum went away, etc.
Used it everytime it rained, average 2-3 times a month, in the winter (first few years I had the truck we had 2+ feet of snow at times), in the dirt, anywhere I could.
Diagnosed everything, no problems whatsoever that I could find, hubs cleaned, still same thing.
Since I've switched to Warns, they work perfect
Used it everytime it rained, average 2-3 times a month, in the winter (first few years I had the truck we had 2+ feet of snow at times), in the dirt, anywhere I could.
Diagnosed everything, no problems whatsoever that I could find, hubs cleaned, still same thing.
Since I've switched to Warns, they work perfect
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by V10'nr
How hard are the hubs to work on?? Any Idea's on a quicky way to resolve my problem. If i need to dissassemble the hubs should I upgrade??
Thanks for any info.
Sorry to hijack this post.
Thanks for any info.
Sorry to hijack this post.
The subject is "Auto Locking Hubs" - you didn't hijack anything, you're just adding to the discussion