Hubs not always locking
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4wd Low
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
Hubs not always locking
Hi,
I have that factory hubs on my 2018 f 250 XL, and I have found that the hubs don't always want to lock via vacuum. I have checked, and both lines seem to have vacuum when I try to activate, and some of the time it works right away and some of the time it doesn't. Is there any maintenance I can do on these? Coming from a Chevy my whole life, I really liked having auto locking hubs.
I have that factory hubs on my 2018 f 250 XL, and I have found that the hubs don't always want to lock via vacuum. I have checked, and both lines seem to have vacuum when I try to activate, and some of the time it works right away and some of the time it doesn't. Is there any maintenance I can do on these? Coming from a Chevy my whole life, I really liked having auto locking hubs.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,861
From: Frederick, MD
you need to take the 4x4 portion of the hubs apart and clean and grease. Might have a bad seal there,
the ford system is more robust but does have this issue sometimes
Did you put a vacumn guage on the system to try and determine a leak?
At eash hub on the backside there is a hose that runs from each hub. Check those lines for failure/dis-connected first.
the ford system is more robust but does have this issue sometimes
Did you put a vacumn guage on the system to try and determine a leak?
At eash hub on the backside there is a hose that runs from each hub. Check those lines for failure/dis-connected first.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 220
Likes: 34
From: Orcas Island
I'm following this thread. My hubs stopped auto locking last winter, while driving in ice and snow. I grew up with warn hubs, so once I figured out that I was in 2wd, I got out and locked them manually. I enjoyed the convenience of the auto hubs, when they worked properly. So far it hasn't irritated me enough to make it to the top of the **** to do list.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,830
Likes: 9,154
From: Western NY
What drives me nuts about these hubs is that if you don't turn them a few times every once in awhile, they seize up... I think I've already had one or the other replaced a few times when I had the truck in for warranty work... I want to pull them off in spring, like I've been saying for quite sometime now
, to see how they work and re-grease them.
, to see how they work and re-grease them.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 7,667
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
I haven't worked on the newer hubs yet but I did learn on the older superduty hubs not to grease them. I just take them off and pour a tiny amount of gear oil in them. grease gets too thick when cold for the vacuum to operate them.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,861
From: Frederick, MD
turn them manually once every 30 days and drive 10 miles. That is what I have always done,
If I know it is going to snow or be really really cold, I just manually lock them in before it gets here.
We are over due for some yuk so I don't know, may head south and let the furnace on the house deal with it.
If I know it is going to snow or be really really cold, I just manually lock them in before it gets here.
We are over due for some yuk so I don't know, may head south and let the furnace on the house deal with it.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,830
Likes: 9,154
From: Western NY
turn them manually once every 30 days and drive 10 miles. That is what I have always done,
If I know it is going to snow or be really really cold, I just manually lock them in before it gets here.
We are over due for some yuk so I don't know, may head south and let the furnace on the house deal with it.
If I know it is going to snow or be really really cold, I just manually lock them in before it gets here.
We are over due for some yuk so I don't know, may head south and let the furnace on the house deal with it.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 587
Likes: 101
From: Nampa, Idaho
Is there an advantage to manually exercising them by manually locking them versus periodically exercising the auto vacuum lock by shifting into 4wd?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 424
From: Too close to Houston
you need to take the 4x4 portion of the hubs apart and clean and grease. Might have a bad seal there,
the ford system is more robust but does have this issue sometimes
Did you put a vacumn guage on the system to try and determine a leak?
At eash hub on the backside there is a hose that runs from each hub. Check those lines for failure/dis-connected first.
the ford system is more robust but does have this issue sometimes
Did you put a vacumn guage on the system to try and determine a leak?
At eash hub on the backside there is a hose that runs from each hub. Check those lines for failure/dis-connected first.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 28
From: Portal, AZ
I Wonder if they'll stick being left in manual lock 100% time
? I'm going to have to go check them shortly 
I run mine locked all the time, I'm 70/30 off/on road so I just leave them locked up all the time, the minute mileage loss is less important as my time and achyness getting in and out of the truck 6 or 7 times in day.
Mainly because I don't trust the vacuum assist and I do use 4wd pretty hard most times. Just randomly checking wires yesterday (mice are an issue here) I found a busted Vacuum line, so my distrust has been validated,
? I'm going to have to go check them shortly I run mine locked all the time, I'm 70/30 off/on road so I just leave them locked up all the time, the minute mileage loss is less important as my time and achyness getting in and out of the truck 6 or 7 times in day.
Mainly because I don't trust the vacuum assist and I do use 4wd pretty hard most times. Just randomly checking wires yesterday (mice are an issue here) I found a busted Vacuum line, so my distrust has been validated,
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