Manual Hub ?
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New User
Joined: Jan 2010
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Manual Hub ?
I have a 96 F150 4x4 with a 351 auto, 4x4 shifter in the floor and automatic hubs. I have heard that changing to manual hubs will save on gas as it will disingage the front axle from turning all the time. I dont understand this because the front axle is driven by the transfer case and that is only engaged when shifted into 4x4, which is also when the hubs are engaged. So which is true? Will manual hubs save any gas, or is it a waste of $100?
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 99
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From: Colorado
I have never heard that before. I have the manual lockers, but that is because I like to know for sure when I am locked in. Your reasoning sounds correct, and I will be surprised if anyone chimes in stating that the manuals save gas.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,964
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From: Fort Worth
The auto's don't lock until there is torque applied to them so unless you put the shifter in 4wd, they don't turn. The person you were speaking to may have been thinking about a system like the dodges have, where they are engaged all the time.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 684
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Whoever you were talking to was probably thinking of all the newer trucks (regardless of make).
I have seen the auto hubs malfunction and stay locked all the time, in that case whenever the truck is moving the tires are turning the axles, causing you to loose mileage.
Switching to manuals is really easy and that way you will know for sure if they are engaged or not.
To check your auto hubs lift the front end off the ground and spin the wheals and see if the axles spin, if not then they are working fine.
I have seen the auto hubs malfunction and stay locked all the time, in that case whenever the truck is moving the tires are turning the axles, causing you to loose mileage.
Switching to manuals is really easy and that way you will know for sure if they are engaged or not.
To check your auto hubs lift the front end off the ground and spin the wheals and see if the axles spin, if not then they are working fine.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2009
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how long should should it take for the 4wd to disengauge. seems like mine takes forever to come out. my 96 has push button 4wd and warn manual hubs
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 126
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Mine seems to come out immediately, it is also a push button shift with the warn premium hubs.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
or you could just look at them as someone slowly drives the truck .. this used to be my job after the boss took it out of 4wd and backed up the requisite 10' or so ..
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
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From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
i really dont like auto hubs for the record. theyve nearly gotten me killed before, and they almost left me stranded before too. the time they almost got me killed was in my old 93 explorer. we were on ice and pushed the little button for 4x, and the light came on, and it WAS engaged. but the hubs didnt engage and we spun. hit a light pole between the front and rear doors on the "B" pillar. a foot to the front and i probably wouldnt be typing this. i might add though, that because it DID hit where it did, we still have the car and it runs like a top. the time they almost left me stranded, it was so cold that grease wouldnt let the internals move to engage the hubs in my 91 (i just repacked the bearings about 1200 miles ago). i finally got em to grab enough to get out though. that and some good drivin. i suppose i mightve gotten out without em, but to finally get it to work really saved a lot of time.
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