2000 Excursion Locking Hubs Help!!
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: UK , Florida or Ebay ;)
if your are anything like mine, then yes they do look like manual locking hubs but they are only covers for the auto locking hubs. i know that as on my X someone has tried to turn the covers and only ended up breaking one of them off.(there is nothing inside except the sealed unit)
if you can tell that the hubs lock when the dial is switched inside the cab then leave them alone. they will be without a doubt auto hubs mate.
if you can tell that the hubs lock when the dial is switched inside the cab then leave them alone. they will be without a doubt auto hubs mate.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 4
From: Caro, MI
hubs maintnance shortcut
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
I would really like to replace the hubs, what is the best brand to go with?
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 706
Likes: 0
From: Montreal,Canada
There's 2 bearings in bearing hub,main and needle bearing.
Clean & Put some grease on needle bearing,main bearing is not serviceable in 4x4's.
Not too much grease on the axle shaft ,it might interfere and block the vacuum
to hub locks.
TIMKEN or FEDERAL MOGUL are U.S made and apparently good although there was
recall of some kind couple of years ago.
Clean & Put some grease on needle bearing,main bearing is not serviceable in 4x4's.
Not too much grease on the axle shaft ,it might interfere and block the vacuum
to hub locks.
TIMKEN or FEDERAL MOGUL are U.S made and apparently good although there was
recall of some kind couple of years ago.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
I only had to clean mine up and now they work fine, I like the auto-lock but remember you have to switch to 4x4 before you need it for the hubs to auto lock properly... (the hubs dont lock right away). If you are already stuck then you have to lock them manually...
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
On my recently acquired '01 Ex, the auto/lock words are worn off as I discovered when I got down and eyeballed them. Can just barely discern the dot. They did turn OK, so got them in the auto postion. Is the common practice to leave them in auto? I use the 4WD quite a bit in winter...lots of snow. As I understand, when engaging the transfer case from cockpit it takes a little time for hubs to lock. How do you then tell if hubs are locked? Or is it just better to lock the hubs in winter until I get down the mountain, then reset them to auto so I can 2WD. I go back and forth quite a bit in winter (from 2WD to 4WD that is.) My former TV was a '99 Suburban and there were no manual hubs to deal with.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
My understanding of the auto lock unit is that the light will come on as soon as the switch on the dash is turned-even if the hub doesnt lock- My 2001 came with the auto locking hubs and I couldnt get them to turn at all- and the drivers side was engaging- I could feel it chucking in tight corners-I replaced the hubs with a set of stock hubs from a 2000 SD and they work fine- but you do have to get out and manually lock the hub- you lose the auto locking feature- but you gain 2 low by not engaging the hub and shifting into 4WD- cant do that with the auto locking hubs- Also the vaccum system was explained to me to be like a bic pen- when you are in the auto mode and turn the switch to 4WD- the system sends a shot of vacuum to the hub which engages it- and when you turn back to 2WD- the system sends another shot of vacuum to disengage the hub- it doesnt apply constant vacuum to make it work-if you are looking for after market hubs- any of the hubs designed for the SD will work- but you lose that auto function and it becomes a manual locking hub set up-But I'm no expert- just telling of my experience
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 18
From: The Great White North!
The dash light still comes on, but if the vacuum fails to work, the system defaults to windshield defrost only. Try to change to floor, or panel only, and see if they work. If not, then you know it is the vacuum system your looking at, and if that is fine, then anything from dash switch, or hub, or transfer case motor.
Use this link to narrow things down. The #3 power train, then 08 sub headings should get you to where you need to be.
https://www.motorcraftservice.com/pu...20/S2OMAIN.HTM
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, Sc
Is the original poster trying to say when he turns the **** to 4x4 the light doesn't come on? I have a leak in one of my vaccum hoses and keep my hubs in lock all the time so I can just push the button for 4wd.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 2
From: Az
Alot of guys do this.You will probably see a decrease in mileage-not much.Just make sure you don't run around with the TC engaged on hard surfaces,flip the switch when you need 4x4 and you're good to go.
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