Automatic Locking Hubs
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Automatic Locking Hubs
Have '93 F150 4X4 with automatic locking hubs. Does anyone know where you can get the small coil springs that are in the end cap that hold the small caged ball bearing in the lockout assembly?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
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From: Central PA
Ford still has kits for them .But I don't know what they include. Thats the only place to get new .(can check sponsors ) Might want to gather up some spare auto hubs for parts would be the cheapest route.
I'm surprised you haven't been bombarded to swap for manuals . to each his own I say.
Good luck on search
I'm surprised you haven't been bombarded to swap for manuals . to each his own I say.
Good luck on search
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
I agree. I'm surprised you haven't been inclined to swap over thus far. The stock auto hubs on these trucks are garbage, heres why:
They work on centrifugal force, meaning, the hubs engage when the front axle shaft starts to spin. Problem with this? If you are movin' along, and decide to change the direction of the truck (to backwards for example), the hubs will DISENGAGE for that split second when the truck is at a stand-still, then REENGAGE when the trucks starts moving in the reverse. This can happen when going up a slippery hill (in the snow, for example) and the truck starts to drift back down the hill a bit when you let up on the gas, then you JUICE IT to get up the hill. Well now you have just trashed the hubs and you are stuck on that hill
The manuals assure you that as long as the switch points to LOCK, then you are LOCKED!!! The design of the auto hubs was later improved by using a vacuum lock system, which also ensures that the hubs are ALWAYS locked when you have the 4wd engaged, and do not disengage when the truck stops moving.
As for that spring, I'm not sure where you could get it except maybe the dealer. If you're real partial to the autos, you might be able to find a new set by a different brand (Warn?), they won't be cheap though. Hope that helps!
-Chris
They work on centrifugal force, meaning, the hubs engage when the front axle shaft starts to spin. Problem with this? If you are movin' along, and decide to change the direction of the truck (to backwards for example), the hubs will DISENGAGE for that split second when the truck is at a stand-still, then REENGAGE when the trucks starts moving in the reverse. This can happen when going up a slippery hill (in the snow, for example) and the truck starts to drift back down the hill a bit when you let up on the gas, then you JUICE IT to get up the hill. Well now you have just trashed the hubs and you are stuck on that hill
The manuals assure you that as long as the switch points to LOCK, then you are LOCKED!!! The design of the auto hubs was later improved by using a vacuum lock system, which also ensures that the hubs are ALWAYS locked when you have the 4wd engaged, and do not disengage when the truck stops moving.As for that spring, I'm not sure where you could get it except maybe the dealer. If you're real partial to the autos, you might be able to find a new set by a different brand (Warn?), they won't be cheap though. Hope that helps!
-Chris
Last edited by Skandocious; May 11, 2007 at 08:48 AM.
