Manual Hubs Question
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Manual Hubs Question
Just wanted some input on a debate. Truck concerned is in my sig...
During the winter usualy it can get pretty bad where I live as it's hilly. Anyway, we had 2 really bad winters the year before last and I spent alot of time in my truck. Well.. my dad insists on leaving the hubs locked all the time... snow or no snow during the winter in case he needs the 4x4. Granted there are a number of times it would have been nice while driving but I didn't want to drive with the hubs locked if I wasn't on something slippery.
With the open diff will it hurt anything to drive around with the hubs locked? Granted it gets worse gas mileage... worse than the 6/10 im getting now, but is there any chance of damage or excessive wear? I know my jeep there were no hubs, automatic or otherwise.. just the transfer case.
input? -myers
During the winter usualy it can get pretty bad where I live as it's hilly. Anyway, we had 2 really bad winters the year before last and I spent alot of time in my truck. Well.. my dad insists on leaving the hubs locked all the time... snow or no snow during the winter in case he needs the 4x4. Granted there are a number of times it would have been nice while driving but I didn't want to drive with the hubs locked if I wasn't on something slippery.
With the open diff will it hurt anything to drive around with the hubs locked? Granted it gets worse gas mileage... worse than the 6/10 im getting now, but is there any chance of damage or excessive wear? I know my jeep there were no hubs, automatic or otherwise.. just the transfer case.
input? -myers
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
You should listen to your father, he's right. 
Driving around with the hubs doesn't hurt anything except a small gas mileage penalty. The great thing about leaving them locked for extended periods of time is that you don't have to get out to engage 4wd.
Driving around with the hubs doesn't hurt anything except a small gas mileage penalty. The great thing about leaving them locked for extended periods of time is that you don't have to get out to engage 4wd.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
As long as you keep the transfer case in 2WD, the hubs locked just turns the hubs and half shafts. There is a little more wear and tear on these components, a little less mileage and more road noise and rumble.
Ford actually recommneds locking the hubs in 2WD every month or so to make sure the lubriacnts get circulated in the diff. I guess the half shafts cause some splashing around in the diff.
I used to lock my hubs only on days when I expected some possible bad road conditions. I drove in 2WD until I hit slippery spots and then shifted into 4WD IF I WAS GOING UNDER 35mph. You might shift to neutral first and then into 4WD. Seems to let the transfer case shift smoother if you let is cath it's breath before going into 4WD. Of course DO NOT shift into 4LOW while moving.
Some guys leave the hubs locked all winter and seem to be OK. I just lock when I expect problems.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Ford actually recommneds locking the hubs in 2WD every month or so to make sure the lubriacnts get circulated in the diff. I guess the half shafts cause some splashing around in the diff.
I used to lock my hubs only on days when I expected some possible bad road conditions. I drove in 2WD until I hit slippery spots and then shifted into 4WD IF I WAS GOING UNDER 35mph. You might shift to neutral first and then into 4WD. Seems to let the transfer case shift smoother if you let is cath it's breath before going into 4WD. Of course DO NOT shift into 4LOW while moving.
Some guys leave the hubs locked all winter and seem to be OK. I just lock when I expect problems.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
During the winter in New England on my bigger trucks I use to unlock them if I planned on a lot of highway driving, otherwise I left them locked in. On the BII I usually left them locked in all winter. On the Ranger with the autohubs it did not matter because they were never reliable enough to consider them locked in at any time even when the 4x4 was engaged 
Last edited by rebocardo; Dec 10, 2006 at 04:41 PM.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,492
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
on my personal trucks, i leave the passenger side hub locked all winter, and the driver side unlocked. if i know i am going to need 4X4, i lock the driver side hub before i get in the truck.
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