auto locking hubs
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auto locking hubs
Just put a lift in a 05 6.0L. So I took it on a lake where the snow was a little deeper than expected. I was buried before I new it. Got out of the truck to see how bad i was stuck and the front tires were not moving. So I turned the hubs to the lock position and seemed to work fine. Wondering what the problem is with the auto locking hubs.
Thanks
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Fallon, NV
The auto lock works off of vacuum, if it worked before the lift and when you locked them in I would check for disconnected or leaking lines damaged in the lift installation.
LSAtexan4x4- SD's with auto lock (ESOF) have the option to put the hubs in 'auto' or 'lock'.
LSAtexan4x4- SD's with auto lock (ESOF) have the option to put the hubs in 'auto' or 'lock'.
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From: Fallon, NV
It is when it works lol, that's a whole other issue. You'll find many threads here on this subject, lots of people have gotten rid of the auto hubs in favor of a good set of manuals. I don't know what the first year for them was but when I bought my 2000 in Oct. 99 it had them.
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From: Fallon, NV
I believe they only come with the electric transfer case (ESOF - Electronic Shift on the Fly) switch. If you have a manual transfer case you should have manual hubs I think.
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never went baha with the truck before i put the lift on. i can check for a leaking line. Once i pulled the truck out the hubs started working again on auto lock. Will the auto locks still work sometimes with a leaky vac line? Do you they make manual only hubs for this truck?
Thanks!!!
Thanks!!!
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Wheatland, Mo
One way to check if you have a leaking line....Turn on your heater or A/C to the front vents or floor...then turn on your auto 4x4 switch...if your heater suddenly switches to the defrost vents, then you have a leak. If not...then it could be a mechanical issue with the hubs.
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From: NorCal
On my 05, one of the vacuum seals on the front hubs went bad when the truck was only 6 months old, that's why the hubs also have the lock position, it is a common problem.
If your truck is still under 36k mi. then just have the dealer fix it under warranty, otherwise look for some Warn or milemarker manual hubs to put on for more reliability.
If your truck is still under 36k mi. then just have the dealer fix it under warranty, otherwise look for some Warn or milemarker manual hubs to put on for more reliability.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Saskatoon, SK, CA
They don't make an aftermarket manual hub for the '05 and up Super Duty trucks. At least not yet.... so unfortunately you are stuck fixing your vacuum leak in order to make it work properly.
That is why they have the auto and manual position on the hubs on these trucks with ESOF in case your auto goes out due to vaccuum leak, etc.
That is why they have the auto and manual position on the hubs on these trucks with ESOF in case your auto goes out due to vaccuum leak, etc.
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From: Long Island USA
It's not so much because they are somewhat unreliable, just that you can get into a situation where you can't move, and the hubs won't lock.
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From: NorCal
Actually, it's because it's "shift on the fly" - if you're not moving, the hubs won't lock by themselves, and they need to be locked manually.
It's not so much because they are somewhat unreliable, just that you can get into a situation where you can't move, and the hubs won't lock.
It's not so much because they are somewhat unreliable, just that you can get into a situation where you can't move, and the hubs won't lock.
Yes, I know Ford didn't put the "lock" feature on because of reliability problems, that would mean they would be admitting that the vacuum hubs are crap.
But all the same, The vacuum hubs are crap!!!
Elder User
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From: Saskatoon, SK, CA
I still think that is why they have left the auto/manual hubs feature on the trucks with ESOF for 9 years instead of redesigning it. 
Although I must say I have never had any problems with them on my gas trucks. The diesels which don't create natural vaccuum seem to be the ones with the problem.
Although I must say I have never had any problems with them on my gas trucks. The diesels which don't create natural vaccuum seem to be the ones with the problem.
