This may already be well known, but it appears Ford hubs like to freeze up.

This was pointed out to me when I traded in my last Excursion. The used car manager said my trade was immaculate and then pointed out, with a smirk, that the hubs were frozen in the AUTO position. He went on to tell me almost every trade he sees has this issue. He didn't make a huge deal out of it, but it was "discussed" during the haggling.

So 12 months / 23000 miles after I purchased my 08 F350 I had the right hub replaced as it could only be turned with a pliers. Even though I cycled the hub from time to time.

Now jump ahead another 5 months, and the left hub is now at the pliers stage. So it's back to the shop on Thursday for a final hub job.

The first hub replaced still moves as if it were still new in the box. So either the replacements are better or Mark at Tom Hefferon Ford of Lake City MN does exceptional work (I vote for the latter).

Not bitching, just wanted to let others know of my experience. So if you are like me and probably never thought to turn your hubs in and out, keep an eye on them.

Other than the typical radiator problem, I'm still lovin' my truck after 32,000 miles.

 

I have the manual on my 08, but on my 06 it had the auto and I made a point of occasionally turning it by hand. Never thought that much about it other than to lube it.

Good advice, rep points for that one!

 

My "08" has AUTO also, but I turned them to Lock for about a week when it was snowing out here in rain country. Hope doing that once in a while will keep me from having prob's.

 

Very good idea. Funny you mention that because my center caps dont have holes in them to access the hub (who came up with this idea at Ford?) and I was thinking about keeping something in the truck to pop them off if/when the need ocurred.

 

On my 2008 both hubs were replaced last summer. Same deal, frozen up even though I exercised them regulalry.

 

Never had an issue on my 08. Oh yeah, I have manual hubs. LOL.

 

Hope it doesnt look dumb but I know many people out there wonder. What is the difference between locking the hub and just shifting the dash switch? I never lock the hubs but should I?

 

Moving the ESOF hubs from "Auto" to "Lock" forces the hubs to lock if the vacuum pulse does not actuate them to lock when you turn the **** to 4X4 (or 4Lo). If you don't have a problem with your hubs locking then the only reason to do it is to exercise them and make sure they don't freeze up.

 

Fair enough, makes sense. Thank you

 

Must be a thing with the harley wheels?

 

It must be the vacum portion of the Auto hubs that seizes up,,,because my last 3 SuperDutys have all been Manual shift 4x4 and Hubs,,(only system I will buy)and I have never had a problem with the Hubs !!

 

Correct. All the other wheels I have seen have the hole in the front center cap.

 

I use the auto hubs and they are working for me. However I have used wd40 sprayed into the groove to clean/free them up. With the hub off the truck I spray wd40 on the end of the hub and allow it to go into the hub. The wd 40 does not hurt the rubber diaphram inside. Then by rotating the hub to allow wd40 to coat the inside of the hub they all free up and stay that way for at least 2 years. You might consider this on auto hubs. But the only reason you need to move to manual is if your vac. system fails.