Locking hub question?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
Locking hub question?
Does it hurt anything to leave the hubs in lock position on my 96 F150 4x4? I needed to make a sharp turn yesterday and the front was binding up bad. I shifted out of 4 wheel drive to make the turn and never shifted back to it. I drove about 40 miles with the hubs locked. Thanks
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,964
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From: Fort Worth
If you have the selector in 2H, you can drive all over at any speed with the hubs locked, it'll just use more gas. It doesn't actually engage 4wd until you select it. Locking the hubs just engages the wheels.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,244
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no keeping them locked will just lower ur fuel mileage because of having to turn the diff. and all that stuff on the front axle instead of freely turning on the hub.... make sence? FYI if u strip the ring and pinion gears in the rear u can drive around with the front...
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 42
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From: Batavia, OH
Why is the wear uneven? Only one wheel turning the differential?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 636
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From: Portage Twp, PA
As others have said, driving with the hubs locked (AFTER you fix those u-joints!
) doesn't hurt anything but your gas mileage.Pat
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Baltimore
I lock my hubs in for a few miles to keep everything lubed up, but no 4wd on dry roads, and never in a turn on dry. Lawns, fields, etc, yes, dry pavement, no.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,069
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From: Toledo, Ohio
Assuming this is just a general thread by everyone else's responses......
So, I am pretty new to 4wd. Ive only used it for trailing and now I am in the snowy north. If it snows hard and there is still that packed snowy sheet on the road or whatever and I take my highway route to school/work can I have it in 4h? (this is hypothetical odds of me needing it are going to be slim with my tires and driving)
So, I am pretty new to 4wd. Ive only used it for trailing and now I am in the snowy north. If it snows hard and there is still that packed snowy sheet on the road or whatever and I take my highway route to school/work can I have it in 4h? (this is hypothetical odds of me needing it are going to be slim with my tires and driving)
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,069
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From: Toledo, Ohio
Well, I know the gearing and tires need to be the same size cause thats bad if theyre not. But, I didnt think you could go fast in 4L. Its more of a crawler speed. But, thank you for the info on the 4H. Its just good to know if need be.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,123
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From: Baltimore
IF, IF you have it in 4hi, or 4lo, and you try and turn a corner, you'll find out the difference. Going straight isn't the issue. Locking the front in will cause the front diff to lock up the wheels and they will hop/skip, unless they are in mud or snow.
4hi is ok for regular speed, just watch the cornering. 4lo is for pulling/plowing.
4hi is ok for regular speed, just watch the cornering. 4lo is for pulling/plowing.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Baltimore
If I put my rig in reverse, and turn sharp left or right, will my rear hop or jump?
Every 4-wheel drive I've ever driven with it in 4-whatever has jumped when you turn a tight corner. It has to do with the ratio of the rear/transfer case/ and the front rear ratio conflicting.
I'm sure there's another response in here about this.
I can be proved wrong, my therapist say's so.
Every 4-wheel drive I've ever driven with it in 4-whatever has jumped when you turn a tight corner. It has to do with the ratio of the rear/transfer case/ and the front rear ratio conflicting.
I'm sure there's another response in here about this.
I can be proved wrong, my therapist say's so.