4X4 Auto Locking Hubs
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 22
From: Central Maine
Good point on the black o ring on the hub, may as well get it while you are part shopping. When I did mine, it was likely leaking air due to the rust around the o rings. If you were to just clean up everything good and put the o rings back in, it would probably be ok. But, it is such a long job, just put new rings in. I think a new wheel bearing assembly comes with the yellow o-ring? All depends on the source. Without cleaning up the inside of the knuckle, a new o-ring is useless though..
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: East Tennessee
Thanks guys.. I figured that was the route I was going to have to go. I was hoping that a bunch would have sad "Na, all you need to do is clean and re-grease the hubs and install a new black O-Ring." But deep inside I just knew that I was going to have to go all the way back to the Yellow Ring.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, Colorado
Every time I've done just enough to get buy, it's come back to bite me in the a$$. Be careful with the ABS connectors during removal and installation. They can make a long afternoon last into the next day, according to my next door neighbor's first hand knowledge. 
Austin
Austin
Trailering
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 18
Likes: 6
Hubs don't stay engaged for longer than a minute or 2
I have no leaks and have all new seals. I have vacuum tested them and they hold vacuum.
trouble is that they only stay engaged for a minute or two then the vacuum actuator let's go of the vacuum.
I can hear it let go.
if I shift back to neutral then back to 4x2 then back to 4x4 they will again work for 2 mins or so.
trouble is that they only stay engaged for a minute or two then the vacuum actuator let's go of the vacuum.
I can hear it let go.
if I shift back to neutral then back to 4x2 then back to 4x4 they will again work for 2 mins or so.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6,854
Likes: 2,332
From: WV
Disclaimer: I didn’t read back the rough the thread, only commenting on last post.
If your hubs hold vacuum without issue then I would move to testing the system back to the reservoir and the pump itself.
If your hubs hold vacuum without issue then I would move to testing the system back to the reservoir and the pump itself.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,350
Likes: 5,945
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I have no leaks and have all new seals. I have vacuum tested them and they hold vacuum.
trouble is that they only stay engaged for a minute or two then the vacuum actuator let's go of the vacuum.
I can hear it let go.
if I shift back to neutral then back to 4x2 then back to 4x4 they will again work for 2 mins or so.
trouble is that they only stay engaged for a minute or two then the vacuum actuator let's go of the vacuum.
I can hear it let go.
if I shift back to neutral then back to 4x2 then back to 4x4 they will again work for 2 mins or so.
I would suspect the solenoid and connector, switch and GEM or VSM based on year in addition to what Jason mentioned.
You will likely need a multimeter and flashlight while you work through the appropriate pinpoint test linked below.
Axles & Hubs
Trailering
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 18
Likes: 6
Thank you very much! I will work through those.
QUOTE=Sous;20890918]What year is your vehicle?
I would suspect the solenoid and connector, switch and GEM or VSM based on year in addition to what Jason mentioned.
You will likely need a multimeter and flashlight while you work through the appropriate pinpoint test linked below.
Axles & Hubs[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=Sous;20890918]What year is your vehicle?
I would suspect the solenoid and connector, switch and GEM or VSM based on year in addition to what Jason mentioned.
You will likely need a multimeter and flashlight while you work through the appropriate pinpoint test linked below.
Axles & Hubs[/QUOTE]
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,437
Likes: 2,925
From: Reed Point, MT
I have no leaks and have all new seals. I have vacuum tested them and they hold vacuum.
trouble is that they only stay engaged for a minute or two then the vacuum actuator let's go of the vacuum.
I can hear it let go.
if I shift back to neutral then back to 4x2 then back to 4x4 they will again work for 2 mins or so.
trouble is that they only stay engaged for a minute or two then the vacuum actuator let's go of the vacuum.
I can hear it let go.
if I shift back to neutral then back to 4x2 then back to 4x4 they will again work for 2 mins or so.
The hub release works the same way only with a weaker vacuum signal to slightly lift the locking tabs up and over the catch and allowing the internal spring to move the locking collar gear back to its rest (2WD) position.
You only need one failed hub to cause lack of 4x4 once the vacuum is released. All of the torque will go to the unlocked axle. I fear you have a locking hub with broken/misaligned locking tabs (they're very thin metal tangs latching onto plastic tabs).
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