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Feb 10, 2009 | 10:25 AM

93F250

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,139

Likes: 4

From: Maine

Hub question

My driver's side front hub is staying locked so everything turns all the time. It's on Auto but obviously it has failed. My hubs don't work on Auto (seals need tro be replaced) so when I need 4wd, I have to get out and lock the hubs. I have ESOF.

My thinking is, if I replace the hubs with Super Winch hubs, I will still have to get out and lock the hubs (no big deal) but the ESOF should still work. Am I right? I don't see why it won't work with the new hubs.

Feb 10, 2009 | 11:13 AM

GregsSD

Posting Guru

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 1,391

Likes: 1

From: NorCal

You are correct, you will just have to manually lock your hubs first then you can use your ESOF switch to shift your transfercase in and out of 4wd.

Feb 10, 2009 | 11:51 AM

senix

Super Moderator

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 37,384

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From: Frederick, MD

yes that is how it will work.

Feb 10, 2009 | 12:05 PM

93F250

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,139

Likes: 4

From: Maine

I figured it was. I've never had a problem with hubs on any of my trucks in the past and this is the 1st 1 I've had with ESOF.

Feb 10, 2009 | 01:49 PM

brian42

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 7,093

Likes: 147

From: San Diego, CA

If you want to try and save your hub (and about $400), here's a site that gives instructions and pictures on how to clean your ESOF hubs:

Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page

It is recommended that you use 4wd at least once a month to keep all the pieces/parts in good working order.

Feb 10, 2009 | 02:23 PM

Steve_250

Posting Guru

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 1,949

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From: Near DC

Does your defrost come on when you apply floor heat while in 4X4?
If so, the vacuum has a leak and doing the hubs won't fix it.
A quick search for defrost and ESOF will give ya TONS of info.

Feb 11, 2009 | 11:59 AM

93F250

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,139

Likes: 4

From: Maine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_250

Does your defrost come on when you apply floor heat while in 4X4?
If so, the vacuum has a leak and doing the hubs won't fix it.
A quick search for defrost and ESOF will give ya TONS of info.

Unsure. I rarely use 4wd. Almost 10 feet of snow last winter and used 4wd twice. I always leave my heat on defrost anyway. A local garage did my ball joints a few years ago and did not change one of the seals. My auto hubs haven't worked since.

BTW, love the avatar.

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Feb 11, 2009 | 12:40 PM

brian42

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 7,093

Likes: 147

From: San Diego, CA

If there was a leak then both hubs would do the same thing. Usually it won't even lock the hubs (ask my wallet how I know).

Since it's only one hub and it's locked I still think it's a frozen hub. Easiest thing to do is pop the hub off and see if your axle spins freely and if the hub will lock/unlock. Take the center cap off the wheel, use some needle nose pliers to remove the snap ring that hold the hub on, then work the hub off. It could take some time. It took me over an hour (tapping gently around the circumfrence of the hub with a BFH) to get mine off. One of them was frozen (in the unlocked position) which took me over an hour to get off. The other one only took 5 minutes and was fine.

Ford sells seals for the hub if you want to get a new set to make a good vacuum seal for actuation. If you are careful and they are still in good condition, you can re-use the seal on the hub now (a big o-ring around the end of the hub).