Do I have auto locking hubs?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 175
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From: Canada
Do I have auto locking hubs?
Hi
On this 02 F250 Crew I purchased, the 4x4 only works when you manually engage the hubs. However, the hubs also say Auto on them. It has the switch on the dash. Sorry, this is my first Ford....please explain what this means??!!
On this 02 F250 Crew I purchased, the 4x4 only works when you manually engage the hubs. However, the hubs also say Auto on them. It has the switch on the dash. Sorry, this is my first Ford....please explain what this means??!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,342
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From: Georgia
Your truck is equiped with ESOF or electronic shift on the fly. With the hubs set to auto it can be engaged by selecting the switch on the dash or should anyway. Sounds like you have a vacuum leak which is common with ESOF keeping it from engaging from the dash.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 167
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From: Ogden Utah
If they say auto on the hub then they are auto hubs and you should be able to just switch it into 4 wheel without manually turning them. Generally you use the auto for slick or Icy driving. When you are putting an extreme amount of torque on them such as hard 4 wheeling and things like that you are supposed to manually turn them in. If they only work when manually turned in you might need to get them serviced or at least checked out to see if something is messed up inside. Hope this helps.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Why don't you start with cleaning and lubing them first.
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
The LOCK position is not any "stronger" than the AUTO position. You need to manually lock them in more severe driving or whatever. They are in case you get stuck and cannot get the small amount of forward motion needed to lock them in or if they fail to lock in automatically for whatever reason.
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
The LOCK position is not any "stronger" than the AUTO position. You need to manually lock them in more severe driving or whatever. They are in case you get stuck and cannot get the small amount of forward motion needed to lock them in or if they fail to lock in automatically for whatever reason.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 175
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From: Canada
Funny thing is i just paid to have the upper ball joints done and this seal replaced!! I look at the back of the hub and the seal just seems to have popped out?
Live and learn....at least the bolts shouldnt be rusted!
Live and learn....at least the bolts shouldnt be rusted!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,391
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From: NorCal
My seal popped out on one of my hubs too! I was still under warranty so I just had the dealer fix it but the best thing you can do is put on some Warn locking hubs so you don't have to wonder if your hubs will work when you need them to.
If you just replace the seal, it's only a matter of time until the same thing happens again!!!
If you just replace the seal, it's only a matter of time until the same thing happens again!!!
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Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
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From: Grand Lake, La.
Put your hubs in auto, start truck, put ac on, turn switch to 4x4, wait 20-30 seconds. If your ac vents default to the defrost vents you have a vacuum leak. Lets take this one step at a time.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Newport, WA
I like the idea of Warn hubs, but I gotta admit I'm spoiled by just being able to flip the switch and have 4x4... never thought I'd be in the "too lazy to lock in my hubs" crowd but somehow I got there! My system is currently functional and I hope to keep it that way.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
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this may seem too simple, but my auto hubs stopped working, and in the end all that had happened was the little plastic piece that connects the rigid vacuum line to the flex line at the wheel well had busted (although you had to look carefully to see). I ended up putting in Warn hubs, but it would have only been like a $10 fix. Just a really easy thing to check
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Canada
Whats wrong with the auto hubs when they are working?
Passenger side holds a vacuum when I test at the line in the tire well. Drivers side leaks immediately....cant even pull a vacuum. When I look underneath, I can see the seal, it looks as if it has backed out. I will have to disassemble to see for sure what is going on.
Passenger side holds a vacuum when I test at the line in the tire well. Drivers side leaks immediately....cant even pull a vacuum. When I look underneath, I can see the seal, it looks as if it has backed out. I will have to disassemble to see for sure what is going on.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
When they work the auto hubs are great. The problem is they fail when you need them the most, they are very unreliable.
A lot of the problem stems from under-use or lack of maintenance. Guys who use the ESOF at least weekly and pull the hubs every 30k miles or so to lubricate the hubs seem to have the fewest problems.
A lot of the problem stems from under-use or lack of maintenance. Guys who use the ESOF at least weekly and pull the hubs every 30k miles or so to lubricate the hubs seem to have the fewest problems.