locking the hubs
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 150
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From: Dracut ma
locking the hubs
It might sound like newbie questions and they are. I have a 2006 350. When putting it 4x4, you just switch to 4 high, right? There is no getting out to turn the hubs? Today I got stuck pulling a horse trailer thru a wet, muddy field to get to the show's parking area. The back end sunk. Having a Expy for years it was turn the **** and go. I got out and went to turn the hubs and couldn't. I thought I was screwed. My old '88 250 and Jeep, you would get out and turn. Just for hell of it, I turn the **** to 4 high and heard a slight clunk. Next thing I knew I was out and moving. I just got the truck and don't have the manual yet.
Is this the way the hubs work now? I don't need to turn the hubs at all?
Thanks
Is this the way the hubs work now? I don't need to turn the hubs at all?
Thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 0
From: Yreka, CA
I don't actually have any experience with SD hubs, but on my dakota and all of the other vehicles i have seen with an automatic 4wd system the hubs engage themselves. No getting out and turning.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
The hubs on your '06 have an "auto" position and a "locked" position. When in auto you engage and disengage the hubs by using the 4WD selector switch in the truck's dashboard.
The locked position is used as a manual over-ride to lock the hubs if the automatic feature does not work. It is a good idea to periodically turn the hub lock **** to locked and auto so that you know the manual over-ridt will work if you ever need to use it.
Lou Braun
The locked position is used as a manual over-ride to lock the hubs if the automatic feature does not work. It is a good idea to periodically turn the hub lock **** to locked and auto so that you know the manual over-ridt will work if you ever need to use it.
Lou Braun
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, VA
The hubs on your '06 have an "auto" position and a "locked" position. When in auto you engage and disengage the hubs by using the 4WD selector switch in the truck's dashboard.
The locked position is used as a manual over-ride to lock the hubs if the automatic feature does not work. It is a good idea to periodically turn the hub lock **** to locked and auto so that you know the manual over-ridt will work if you ever need to use it.
Lou Braun
The locked position is used as a manual over-ride to lock the hubs if the automatic feature does not work. It is a good idea to periodically turn the hub lock **** to locked and auto so that you know the manual over-ridt will work if you ever need to use it.
Lou Braun
Les
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,845
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From: No.Va.
Best to run in "auto"
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 428
Likes: 3
Several people run them locked year round with no ill effects. I'm not one of them..yet.. I have a vacuum leak so no auto locking for me..
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 69
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They are junk as far as I am concerned. They cost round $300 to replace on of them and they set up and you need to force them to the lock position to have four wheel again. After they went bad on me I found out that it is recommended to rotate them from auto to lock to help keep them from freeing up. O and after market hubs like warn or super-winch are half the cost of oems
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In our '08 450 we were hearing "scratching" noises and at one point, was told it was the drive shaft that was bad. About 3 months later, the same thing this time dealer found the hubs were locked (didn't even know there was auto/lock) and hubs were now spinning. Hubs replaced. Dealer said to turn from auto/lock monthly and to put vasoline around it.
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