Automatic hub question.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: southeat Ga.
Automatic hub question.
My dad's 02 F350 is having problems up front. The passenger side hub is staying locked to the axle. I haven't been under it yet so I don't know exactly what it all looks like but he said that in the unlocked position it's still locked to the axle. I ask because all my trucks have had manual hubs so I'm not used to the autos, and yes it has esof. Any ideas what to look for first when I get under it? Thanks for any help.
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Joined: May 2007
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i just went thru the same problem on my F-250 SD. The hub comes apart real easy (especially if your mechanically inclined).
I took some channel locks and unclipped the spring retainer holding on the hubs. Pulled the whole locking hub unit out (u might have to lightly tap on it and wiggle it out).
After pulling it out, set if on a clean towel/rag and inspect the parts (on mine the sprags that grip the sides were all busted and broken. There is also a white plastic seal(i believe functions with vacuum to activate the hubs) was all cracked and broken also.
I ended up replacing mine with some Warn Premium manual locking hubs.... installation was a easy, took all of 30 min to clean out my old hubs and install the new ones.... if you go this route, don't forget to check and plug the vacuum hose's on both sides.
I took some channel locks and unclipped the spring retainer holding on the hubs. Pulled the whole locking hub unit out (u might have to lightly tap on it and wiggle it out).
After pulling it out, set if on a clean towel/rag and inspect the parts (on mine the sprags that grip the sides were all busted and broken. There is also a white plastic seal(i believe functions with vacuum to activate the hubs) was all cracked and broken also.
I ended up replacing mine with some Warn Premium manual locking hubs.... installation was a easy, took all of 30 min to clean out my old hubs and install the new ones.... if you go this route, don't forget to check and plug the vacuum hose's on both sides.
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From: Stephensville WI
I've never seen a set of automatic hubs that worked well. Eventually they all fail.
For drivetrain reliability most users here swap the automatic hubs for a set of aftermarket manual hubs. Instructions (with pictures) can be found in the Tech Folder. It is a very easy job to a shadetree mechanic to perform.
Driving with manual hubs isn't all that bad. If you think there is a chance you will need 4 wheel drive, lock the hubs before you leave your driveway. When you do need 4 wheel drive, just engage your transfer case and keep on going.
For drivetrain reliability most users here swap the automatic hubs for a set of aftermarket manual hubs. Instructions (with pictures) can be found in the Tech Folder. It is a very easy job to a shadetree mechanic to perform.
Driving with manual hubs isn't all that bad. If you think there is a chance you will need 4 wheel drive, lock the hubs before you leave your driveway. When you do need 4 wheel drive, just engage your transfer case and keep on going.
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From: southeat Ga.
Thanks guys, I don't think he'll go for the manual hubs though, he wants to keep the truck all original for some reason. (don't know why because when he's ready to trade it I'm going to get it from him!) The cd changer stopped working and he won't even replace it with an improved aftermarket unit because it don't look the same. I'll just have to figure out how to fix the factory auto hubs. Esof sucks too, I'd 10-1 rather have my floor shifter!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: VA/NH
I'd rather have the floor shifter, but not having to get out to lock the hubs every time is kind of nice. I have 60k on my F350 w/ 3 yrs of plowing under its belt and the ESOF still works flawlessly. Seems to be the exception rather than rule.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Utah County, UT
I too like the auto to work. Mainly because I like the center cap on my rims. Always thought ones with the hole for manual hubs looked unfinished.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: VA/NH
Mine has the hole still. You should be able to switch manually if you want w/o pulling off the hubcap. Right now I have my center caps pulled off after working on the rear this weekend. I like the look... Makes it look like a truck.
Krewat, Mine still works like it's supposed to. All you have to do is look at the axle when the truck is moving. You don't need to pull anything apart to verify whether it's working or not.
Krewat, Mine still works like it's supposed to. All you have to do is look at the axle when the truck is moving. You don't need to pull anything apart to verify whether it's working or not.
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From: Long Island USA
I always know when they're going to work 
For the original poster, you need to check those needle bearings. Sometimes the needle bearing gets dry enough it locks up to the axle stub. If the hub seems to be sticking, I'd check to make sure the needle bearings are free. About the only way to do that, if they are already stuck, is to remove the hub and make sure the hub is not the problem.
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From: southeat Ga.
[quote=krewat;6836476]Mine are Warns I always know when they're going to work
Amen to that! I think the first thing I did to my truck was replace the stockers with Warn hubs. What's up with having to turn the stockers a full turn to lock when the Warns only have maybe a quarter turn?
It looks like his truck will have to wait until this weekend to get a good look but hopefully the hub is ok and it'll be something a little cheaper. It wasn't long ago that it wouldn't engage in four wheel drive and now it don't want to disengage.
I always know when they're going to work Amen to that! I think the first thing I did to my truck was replace the stockers with Warn hubs. What's up with having to turn the stockers a full turn to lock when the Warns only have maybe a quarter turn?
It looks like his truck will have to wait until this weekend to get a good look but hopefully the hub is ok and it'll be something a little cheaper. It wasn't long ago that it wouldn't engage in four wheel drive and now it don't want to disengage.
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From: Long Island USA
I think you have that backwards? My Warns are almost a full turn to lock/unlock.
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Senior User
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From: southeat Ga.
No sir, my Warns only turn about a quarter of a turn from lock to unlock. It may be different if you used a kit to turn auto hubs to manuals, my truck had manual hubs factory so the warn's pretty much just bolted on.
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From: Long Island USA
And they are the standard Warn Dana 50/60 locking hubs, nothing special about them...