locking hubs: manual or automatic?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth
My father's auto hubs on his F250 pooped out when he was in 4wd going up a very loose steep trail. Sheared one of the teeth of the big 3 toothed guy that sides on the splines that engages the wheel to the axle. Mine did the same thing when in a muddy pasture, same part, same spot. The automatic hubs are weaker than the manual hubs. Not to say that they are bad, they just can't handle as much abuse. I know of a couple of companies that converted to manual hubs everytime they bought new company trucks; threw the auto's out and threw the manuals in because they couldn't afford to have the auto's crapping out. I went with the manuals for two reasons: 1) They are stronger and 2) The auto hubs from the Ford house were going to be over $400 PER SIDE. I like the convenience of not having to lock hubs, but if I plan on needing 4wd at all, I lock them before I ever need it. The manual hubs do require preventative maintenance, as do the automatics. Soaking it in ATF is a fantastic way to clean them up. Just be sure to LIGHTLY grease them before putting them back in.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth
In hubs, it makes no difference. Manual transmissions are more efficient than auto's though. Maybe that's what you heard?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 973
Likes: 2
From: Texas
There is no ill effect to leaving a manual hub locked in for extended amounts of time. You could just leave them locked in period, dodges are that way, they have a drive flange instead of a locking hub.
The auto hubs have always been and still are problematic. If they wernt then why would ford give the option to manually lock in the hubs of the newer super dutys. My dads '06 hubs pop in and out all the time in the mud, you can feel them doing it too. We have gotten to were we just lock them if we might need them. And they have failed completely before, he had to take it to the dealership and it took him a week to get his truck back.
Personally i would pick manuals, and just leave it locked in all winter. Dont even have to worry about it, Ever.
The auto hubs have always been and still are problematic. If they wernt then why would ford give the option to manually lock in the hubs of the newer super dutys. My dads '06 hubs pop in and out all the time in the mud, you can feel them doing it too. We have gotten to were we just lock them if we might need them. And they have failed completely before, he had to take it to the dealership and it took him a week to get his truck back.
Personally i would pick manuals, and just leave it locked in all winter. Dont even have to worry about it, Ever.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 973
Likes: 2
From: Texas
And by the way, when the newer super duty auto hubs fail, it blows a vacuum seal and messes up all the climate control and vac operated stuff.
Talk about annoying
Just thought id share the pain of no A/C out in the fields on a texas summer day.
Talk about annoying
Just thought id share the pain of no A/C out in the fields on a texas summer day.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 278
Likes: 6
Well, until the next dead horse is found I guess that will hold us a while on the old auto/manual hub discussion. Hopefully we can get back to what is really important, like what is the best oil for my truck and what kind of gas mileage can I expect from the 460?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Hudson Valley, NY
much of the time the manual / auto debate comes down to personal opinion, but you can get some good input here .. 'specially if your kinda new to these older trucks ..
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 278
Likes: 6
I know Pete, but as you can see by my join date I have seen this discussion many, many times. But the gas mileage on a 460 and oil choice discussions have stretched to the outer reaches of the universe. You are right, it almost always comes down to personal opinion. When it comes to trucks I always say, life is short, drive what makes you happy.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
i leave my manual hubs locked all winter usually, but they arnt at the moment because i went on a roadtrip that was solid highway last weekend and havent driven it since. i figure leaving them unlocked would yield slightly better mileage
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, Iowa
If the only downside is a little less mpg, then a brotha can live with that.
And that would be the only downside, wouldn't it? 
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, Iowa
I locked the hubs last night (it was snowing) and ran into town in 2WD. Truck seemed to make an AWFUL sound, like it was running through a bunch of slush and it was hitting the wheel well, but the road was clear..
Needed 4WD heading out on a delivery, got back on pavement, unlocked and went to 2WD and the noise went away. Scary
hmmmm
Thoughts? Am I being paranoid?
Needed 4WD heading out on a delivery, got back on pavement, unlocked and went to 2WD and the noise went away. Scary
hmmmm
Thoughts? Am I being paranoid?
