One locked hub?
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 672
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From: NJ
One locked hub?
Hi all,
Today I went to check if my front hubs were stuck locked (I have ESOF). I grabbed the U joint on the driver's side and it spun freely. However, I grabgbed the U joint on the passenger's side and it wouldn't spin, it just moved a bit in either direction. When I spin the front driveshaft it spins freely, but only the driver's side U joint turns, the passenger's side only clunks a bit in either direction. Also, the driver's hub was just replaced because of a bad bearing. One more thing, the driver's side hub thing on the outside (Auto/Lock) is harder to turn than the passenger's, but still turns, while the passenger's turns easily.
Also, my fuel milage has been pretty bad. I recently bought this truck used, so maybe the PO didn't do his maitnence?
What can I do?
Thanks,
Jack
Today I went to check if my front hubs were stuck locked (I have ESOF). I grabbed the U joint on the driver's side and it spun freely. However, I grabgbed the U joint on the passenger's side and it wouldn't spin, it just moved a bit in either direction. When I spin the front driveshaft it spins freely, but only the driver's side U joint turns, the passenger's side only clunks a bit in either direction. Also, the driver's hub was just replaced because of a bad bearing. One more thing, the driver's side hub thing on the outside (Auto/Lock) is harder to turn than the passenger's, but still turns, while the passenger's turns easily.
Also, my fuel milage has been pretty bad. I recently bought this truck used, so maybe the PO didn't do his maitnence?
What can I do?
Thanks,
Jack
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 1
From: Here and there
Ah just get the warn premium replacement hubs and no more worries about if they are locked or not. Just remember to cap off the vac lines so your hvac vents work right. It takes about 30-45 minutes to install both sides.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 261
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From: Erie,Pa
BFH! Just kidding. Discovered same thing when I first bought my truck. I was able to turn the hub but it was pretty tight. Maybe try some channellocks but you may crack the cheapo plastic if you turn to hard. I would put the Warns on and be done with it.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 672
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From: NJ
Hi,
I think I was unclear. It is the U joint on the passenger's front wheel that is not moving. I guess this means that the hub is stuck locked. Also, it rotates when the truck moves, but the front driveshaft and the other front hub U joint do not.
So, what can I do to unlock the passenger's front hub?
Thanks,
Jack
I think I was unclear. It is the U joint on the passenger's front wheel that is not moving. I guess this means that the hub is stuck locked. Also, it rotates when the truck moves, but the front driveshaft and the other front hub U joint do not.
So, what can I do to unlock the passenger's front hub?
Thanks,
Jack
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 672
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From: NJ
I really just need to know how to get the hub to unlock, whether it can be done manually somehow, or if there is some sort of trick. Also, is the hub stuck because the vacuum lines are broken or plugged or something?
Thanks,
Jack
Thanks,
Jack
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 432
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From: Upstate NewYork
I have the same problem with my ESOF on my 04 f250. When i engage 4x4 i have one hub that stays locked after going back to 4x2. You have to take them apart and clean and lube the internals of the auto-lock hub assembly. If you search you can find the step by step on how to service them. I have not done the service yet so for now what i do and you can do, is turn the wheel all the way to the right, reach behind and grab the u-joint, turn it back and fourth while tapping lightly on the hub. It worked for me after a few light taps the hub will unlock and u-joint spins free.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2008
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It might unlock if you take it off and fiddle with it. Otherwise forget it. I tried and tried and tried to get mine to unlock when they went bad. No dice. When they're done, they're done. A set of Warn hubs are ~$200, and you'll never have to mess with them again.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, CA
Here's a good article on the maintenance of the 4X4 ESOF hubs on the '04 and older trucks. If you check out his homepage he also has lots of great info on these trucks for maintenance, repair, etc.
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
Welcome to guzzle's Ford PSD Web Page
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
Welcome to guzzle's Ford PSD Web Page
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
I'm with Krewat on this one. The fact that it rotates a bit then stops makes me think it might be the bearings.
Lock the driver's side and see if it rotates at all, if it rotates the same amount then it is probably slack in the hub.
Lock the driver's side and see if it rotates at all, if it rotates the same amount then it is probably slack in the hub.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 432
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From: Upstate NewYork
Sorry for the delay, long day at work. I tap on the outside of the hub, the center **** is plastic so i was weary of tapping on that. usually a few light taps arounf the outside of the hub, allows the spring to return the part that engages. you have to pop off the center hub cap to get to it. Hope this helps
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 82
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seal sticks
The reason it is so hard to turn is the rubber diaphram inside gets caught in the actuator and creates a "hard to turn" problem. I bet if you look at it there is some black rubber between the actuator and the hub. Not one thing you can do about it, Ford hubs are absolute junk and very very expensive (OEM!) I changed mine out to Warn and never looked back. Really, the hubs from Ford are pure junk....................