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Jun 16, 2010 | 09:02 AM

Big Ruth

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 444

Likes: 4

Auto Hub Question

I know I am going to get rocks thrown at me for this question but here goes.

Right now my truck has Warn premium hubs on it. I can get a set of new auto 4x4 hubs for a decent price.

Are the auto hubs really that bad? I have had my fair share of 90s ford trucks with the factory auto hubs and they seem to be ok. Sometimes they would stick but nothing a hard reverse wouldn't fix.

Thoughts?

Keith

Jun 16, 2010 | 10:22 AM

andym

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 19,402

Likes: 38

From: Bonita Springs FL

Every auto hub question can be answered with "switch to manual hubs" and no question can ever be answered with "switch to auto hubs".

Yes, they are that bad. They are extremely unreliable and if you are ever in a situation where you depend on your four wheel drive to get you out of a spot, you really don't want to have auto hubs on your truck.

Jun 16, 2010 | 01:13 PM

mprice

Elder User

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 601

Likes: 1

From: Chicagoland

I don't usually get into these discussions but what you are asking is crazy. You already have Warn Premiums and you want to go back to autos?

Sure living with manuals is a little different, but not as bad as it might seem. If you even think you might need 4x4 for the drive ahead then lock the hubs before starting out. Shift the t-case from inside the cab as conditions warrant: 4x4 as needed, 2x4 otherwise . Rolling in 2x4 with both hubs locked isn't going to hurt anything.

Jun 16, 2010 | 01:48 PM

danr1

Lead Driver

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 5,670

Likes: 12

From: Sand Lake, MI

My 95 still has the original autos and yea they work just fine, rarely use 4by with that one but have never had a problem when I do.

I have no plains in the foreseeable future to install manuals on it, however I'd never change it back to autos with manuals already in place.

The main concern I have with the autos is they unlock relock with every direction change, that could prove bad in the mud in a "rock it hard to free it" condition. For heavy off road use I'd swap them for manuals that remain fully locked until unlocked.

Jun 16, 2010 | 01:54 PM

khadma

Carpenter Local 745

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 5,794

Likes: 11

From: on da beach

I wish Warn still sold the automatic/manual hubs that were offered in the 80ʻs.

I had the experience of my auto hubs unlocking on my Brocno while I was driving on sand. The Bronco got stuck and it had to get a tug from a Toyota pick up truck, a very sad moment. The day after that I bought some Warn hubs and never looked back.

You know, to each his own. Auto hubs may fill your needs, just keep the manuals.......just in case.

Jun 16, 2010 | 02:04 PM

slhf150

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 160

Likes: 0

From: SF Bay area

How easy is it to swap the hubs? Do you have to remove the wheel? Repack the bearings? Or just remove those 6 little torx screws holding on the outer hubs, pull it out, and replace?

Jun 16, 2010 | 02:13 PM