Auto Locking Hubs NOT!!!!
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Tacoma, WA
Auto Locking Hubs NOT!!!!
I have a 92 4x4 with auto lockers. Well so I thought.
I have tried them out several times but not in anything slippery enough to let the back spin.
Until today. The hubs do not lock in but they grind like they are trying to hook up.
So that leaves me with a big truck, lots of power, 2 really wide (12.5") tires out back with not nearly enough weight to make them hook up.
Ok I am not sure what to do.
How hard is it to maintain these?
How hard or $$$ is it to replace them with new parts?
How hard or $$$ is it to change to manual locking hubs?
I just bought the truck in September and this is the firt real opportunity I have had to actually use the 4x4 and it failed miiserably.
Any assistance/advice/mocking/verbal abuse would be appreciated
I have tried them out several times but not in anything slippery enough to let the back spin.
Until today. The hubs do not lock in but they grind like they are trying to hook up.
So that leaves me with a big truck, lots of power, 2 really wide (12.5") tires out back with not nearly enough weight to make them hook up.
Ok I am not sure what to do.
How hard is it to maintain these?
How hard or $$$ is it to replace them with new parts?
How hard or $$$ is it to change to manual locking hubs?
I just bought the truck in September and this is the firt real opportunity I have had to actually use the 4x4 and it failed miiserably.
Any assistance/advice/mocking/verbal abuse would be appreciated
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
Sounds like you may not be selecting 4x4 at a standstill........
With auto hubs you must be stopped to select 4x4 and engage hubs, then you can drive forward or reverse. Let's say your locked in 4x4 going down the interstate at 50mph you are able to go in and out of 4x4/2x4 just like the manuals. IF you selected 2x4 while driving, and stop for fuel/coffee lets say and reversed the truck 10ft, you will have unlocked the auto hubs. You would have to stop re lock the auto hubs by selecting 4x4 and drive forward, you could then go back and forth to 2x4/4x4 as long as you did not back up in 2x4.
With auto hubs you must be stopped to select 4x4 and engage hubs, then you can drive forward or reverse. Let's say your locked in 4x4 going down the interstate at 50mph you are able to go in and out of 4x4/2x4 just like the manuals. IF you selected 2x4 while driving, and stop for fuel/coffee lets say and reversed the truck 10ft, you will have unlocked the auto hubs. You would have to stop re lock the auto hubs by selecting 4x4 and drive forward, you could then go back and forth to 2x4/4x4 as long as you did not back up in 2x4.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, Mn.
umm, mine will lock when going down the highway.
They need to be clean and lubed. Pretty easy. A lot easier if you have acces to a parts washer. A chiltons manual has the procedure.
Also, there should be little O-Rings on the heads of the screws that hold the hubs on. Make sure they're all there and in good shape.
They need to be clean and lubed. Pretty easy. A lot easier if you have acces to a parts washer. A chiltons manual has the procedure.
Also, there should be little O-Rings on the heads of the screws that hold the hubs on. Make sure they're all there and in good shape.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Tacoma, WA
Originally Posted by PLC7.3
Sounds like you may not be selecting 4x4 at a standstill........
With auto hubs you must be stopped to select 4x4 and engage hubs, then you can drive forward or reverse. Let's say your locked in 4x4 going down the interstate at 50mph you are able to go in and out of 4x4/2x4 just like the manuals. IF you selected 2x4 while driving, and stop for fuel/coffee lets say and reversed the truck 10ft, you will have unlocked the auto hubs. You would have to stop re lock the auto hubs by selecting 4x4 and drive forward, you could then go back and forth to 2x4/4x4 as long as you did not back up in 2x4.
With auto hubs you must be stopped to select 4x4 and engage hubs, then you can drive forward or reverse. Let's say your locked in 4x4 going down the interstate at 50mph you are able to go in and out of 4x4/2x4 just like the manuals. IF you selected 2x4 while driving, and stop for fuel/coffee lets say and reversed the truck 10ft, you will have unlocked the auto hubs. You would have to stop re lock the auto hubs by selecting 4x4 and drive forward, you could then go back and forth to 2x4/4x4 as long as you did not back up in 2x4.
I tried it every posssible way.
I even pulled out the owners manual and read it too. (it says you can pull into 4H at any speed)
I have herd through multiple sources that the hubs have probaly never been lubricated
So that is the first order of business
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, Mn.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Tacoma, WA
Originally Posted by fonefiddy
What are you going to do with the auto lockers?
But if not I'll pass them on to someone who really wants them.
Need the temps to come up above 40 before I want to bust my knuckles swapping them out.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
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From: Manitoba
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Tacoma, WA
Finally getting around to working on these this week.
After 3 trips to Tool Town I FINALLY got the right socket to take off the old spindle nut.
Apparently the auto hubs on my '92 are from a '95 because that is the description in the Haynes manual and on the socket as well. 2-3/4" rounded.
I have a Dana 50 with a build date of 3/92 on it so I must have the stock axel but newer Auto locking hubs???
The old hubs were full of rancid grey grease.
Struggling with the new hubs. Could not get the keeper clip to lock in. Less then 1/32 of an inch shy of enough clearance.
Going to try again tomorrow. I'll Pull everything out again and make certain that I didn't accidently get a little debris in there while putting the new locknuts in.
Has anyone else done this swap?
After 3 trips to Tool Town I FINALLY got the right socket to take off the old spindle nut.
Apparently the auto hubs on my '92 are from a '95 because that is the description in the Haynes manual and on the socket as well. 2-3/4" rounded.
I have a Dana 50 with a build date of 3/92 on it so I must have the stock axel but newer Auto locking hubs???
The old hubs were full of rancid grey grease.
Struggling with the new hubs. Could not get the keeper clip to lock in. Less then 1/32 of an inch shy of enough clearance.
Going to try again tomorrow. I'll Pull everything out again and make certain that I didn't accidently get a little debris in there while putting the new locknuts in.
Has anyone else done this swap?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I have not messed with them, I don't like auto anything on my truck.
I do seem to remember there are some vacuum lines that should be blocked off after you remove the auto lockers though.
I do seem to remember there are some vacuum lines that should be blocked off after you remove the auto lockers though.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 392
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From: NC
Originally Posted by Barehuggs
Could not get the keeper clip to lock in. Less then 1/32 of an inch shy of enough clearance.
Has anyone else done this swap?
Has anyone else done this swap?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 478
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From: houma, louisiana
i read in the beginning of this post it says 2 really big tires on the back, you do know that you need the same size tires on all 4 wheels. that is a real crusial point on a 4x4 having the same size tires on all four, a little tire wear between front and back is ok but two totaly different sizes aint good.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Tacoma, WA
Originally Posted by dieself250
Wich clip are you having a problem with? the smaller C clip that clips on the axle shaft or the larger wire clip that holds the hub body in
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From: Tacoma, WA
Originally Posted by j tate
i read in the beginning of this post it says 2 really big tires on the back, you do know that you need the same size tires on all 4 wheels. that is a real crusial point on a 4x4 having the same size tires on all four, a little tire wear between front and back is ok but two totaly different sizes aint good.
I only mentioned the back set because theey were the only ones turning.
Thanks for the input.