Manual Hubs
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
If you do not have the ESOF system, and have a complete manual system, consider yourself lucky. Many of us have spent a decent amount of time and money trying to convert a manual system.
The ESOF system can be a problematic system, and has proven itself to be rather
un-reliable leaving SD owners stuck in wet grass, or parking lots after a little snow. This is embarassing to say the least.
If you have a true manual system, you will find that the little bit of effort to get out and lock the hubs, far outweighs the eventual failure of the ESOF system.
When your hubs are locked, they are locked, and the same is true for the un-locked, or free position. with the auto / lock hubs and the ESOF system, that statement is not always true.
Stick with what you have.
The ESOF system can be a problematic system, and has proven itself to be rather
un-reliable leaving SD owners stuck in wet grass, or parking lots after a little snow. This is embarassing to say the least.
If you have a true manual system, you will find that the little bit of effort to get out and lock the hubs, far outweighs the eventual failure of the ESOF system.
When your hubs are locked, they are locked, and the same is true for the un-locked, or free position. with the auto / lock hubs and the ESOF system, that statement is not always true.
Stick with what you have.
Junior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: TACOMA, WA
Consider yourself lucky.... believe me.. you don't want automatic hubs if you have a choice.
I had them in a brand new 97' Ford and they would engage on their own and then I couldn't dis-engage them.... leaving me driving down the highway with the front axle howling away..... Ford said "Sure..we'll replace them for you".......
The only thing is... they replaced them with more of the same junk..... and I continued to have problems..... so I just went and bought my own manual Warn hubs and never had another problem.
If I thought I might need 4X4 for upcoming terrain, I would just turn in the hubs and then pull in the transfer case when and if I needed to... and then turn the hubs back out before I got back on the highway.
I bought a new 2007 Super Duty with Automatic hubs.... So we'll see how these work... I haven't used the 4x4 yet.
It says it has the automatic system but it still has the manual looking hubs...... What's up with that????
I'm going to have to read the manual a little closer!!!!!
I had them in a brand new 97' Ford and they would engage on their own and then I couldn't dis-engage them.... leaving me driving down the highway with the front axle howling away..... Ford said "Sure..we'll replace them for you".......
The only thing is... they replaced them with more of the same junk..... and I continued to have problems..... so I just went and bought my own manual Warn hubs and never had another problem.
If I thought I might need 4X4 for upcoming terrain, I would just turn in the hubs and then pull in the transfer case when and if I needed to... and then turn the hubs back out before I got back on the highway.
I bought a new 2007 Super Duty with Automatic hubs.... So we'll see how these work... I haven't used the 4x4 yet.
It says it has the automatic system but it still has the manual looking hubs...... What's up with that????
I'm going to have to read the manual a little closer!!!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 3
From: Eastern CT.
I myself will only by a truck with the manual hubs and transfere case,,getting out and locking the hubs is a small price to pay, to ensure your 4x4 system works,,instead of hoping it works,,when you need it,,you need it,,and it's there with the manual system !
Now I think Do%@* has a axle disconect system, without hubs, but is still operated by Vacum to engage the front axle,,have heard of trouble with that system to,,but possibly not quite as troublesome..,,manual hubs ll the way !
Now I think Do%@* has a axle disconect system, without hubs, but is still operated by Vacum to engage the front axle,,have heard of trouble with that system to,,but possibly not quite as troublesome..,,manual hubs ll the way !
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Originally Posted by belandd
My 06 F250 has manual locking hubs. I have always liked automatic hubs. Did the SD ever come with auto hubs? Can I put auto hubs on my SD?
Thanks
Thanks
Just a thought.
Bill
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: TACOMA, WA
I guess I didn't read the manual close enough but,,,, Why does the auto system on my new SD have LOCK and AUTO positions on the hubs??
Like I said,, I just haven't taken the time to read up on it yet...
Like I said,, I just haven't taken the time to read up on it yet...
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Originally Posted by BLUE SUPER DUTY
I guess I didn't read the manual close enough but,,,, Why does the auto system on my new SD have LOCK and AUTO positions on the hubs??
Like I said,, I just haven't taken the time to read up on it yet...
Like I said,, I just haven't taken the time to read up on it yet...
I think it's the best of both worlds myself. Auto when you just want to do a quick run in 4wd, and manually lockable when you want that.
Bill
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
The newer 05-07 hubs are a better sealing design. If you ever see the hub out of the spindle you can see they have much better orings and the end cap is designed better to keep debris out which caused them to lock up and not be turnable in the previous vacuum design, rendering you really stuck if the vacuum system failed and wouldn't lock in the hub. j
It is a far cry better than the auto ratcheting hubs of the old body style. They liked to unlock by them selves and didn't have an option to manually lock them in.
Hopefully they fixed the ills of the first vacuum hub design.
It is a far cry better than the auto ratcheting hubs of the old body style. They liked to unlock by them selves and didn't have an option to manually lock them in.
Hopefully they fixed the ills of the first vacuum hub design.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Well on a brighter side of this conversation I guess I am fortunate enough to say that I have never had a problem with my autos and I use my 4wd quite often. I have full confidence getting in some soup knowing that I don't have to get out and lock my hubs cuz my auto work really well. (Knocking on wood)
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Originally Posted by BIG-FUJIMO
Well on a brighter side of this conversation I guess I am fortunate enough to say that I have never had a problem with my autos and I use my 4wd quite often. I have full confidence getting in some soup knowing that I don't have to get out and lock my hubs cuz my auto work really well. (Knocking on wood)
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Originally Posted by belandd
My 06 F250 has manual locking hubs. I have always liked automatic hubs. Did the SD ever come with auto hubs? Can I put auto hubs on my SD?
Thanks
Thanks
