So I'm confused, on my 03 pickup it has manual locking hubs as well as the electric dial in the truck, some people are telling me you need to have the hubs locked every time you go in 4x4, and some are telling me they are auto locking hubs and they just have the manual locking hubs in case the auto locking hubs fail.... Anyone got some insight on this?
Ford auto and manual locking hubs?
- Thread starter Snohog
- Start date
polarice
Active VIP Member
IF it has the manual hubs you have to put them in the lock position in order for them to work ... sounds like someone has changed the auto locking hubs for manual ones
suzuki_ryder
Active VIP Member
On the 03, you only need to lock them if you want the diff locked, as in both wheels spinning ( for off road use). If its on auto, the front wheel with the least traction will spin first. If your driving regularly, leave it on auto, or your steering will be brutal, an front tires will squeal around every corner.
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youngpolarisguy
Active VIP Member
Holy chit guys you alll are wrong. If the truck has electronic 4x4 then it suposed to have auto hubs. The manual is a back up for when it the vacuum hubs dont work. I wish you could get diff lock by locking the hubs in that would be sweet.
CountryRider
Active VIP Member
Ford is really dumb for this option... For decades ford argued the point that manual locking hubs where more fuel efficient then automatic. Why, because they claimed that when you are not engaged (also known as free wheeling) that there would be less drag going on. Thing is any body can tell you that on an automatic locking hub system when and if your not engaged on 4x4 u are also free wheeling. Ford came to a conclusion in the past couple years that wo i guess manual locking hubs serve nothing for fuel economy and that it was apain in the arse to get out and lock. So they then followed gmc and chev, toyota for automatic locking hubs.
In the summer time on my 2007 new style Gmc sierra 1500 I keep mine in 2 wheel drive with traction control off. In the summer I keep her on automatic 4 wheel drive only engaging when the rear wheels slip, splitting traction on all 4 wheels (way easier on u joints and steering) rarely would i go on 4x4 high or low.
In the summer time on my 2007 new style Gmc sierra 1500 I keep mine in 2 wheel drive with traction control off. In the summer I keep her on automatic 4 wheel drive only engaging when the rear wheels slip, splitting traction on all 4 wheels (way easier on u joints and steering) rarely would i go on 4x4 high or low.
sledderdoc
Super Senior Member
You would be correct. My 07 in fact has an issue and the auto engage on the dash does not function (probably a vacuum line) by switching the manual hubs i do still have 4x4. It does not lock diffs.
JaySimon
Active VIP Member
Bingo. My auto hubs quit and I swapped em out for Warm premiums.
Now I KNOW im in 4x4
Now I KNOW im in 4x4
mathrulz
Active VIP Member
Depending on the conditions you drive in for the winter choosing between 2 or 4 hi could be way better than auto. Around the city or on an icy road where it is constantly engaging and disengaging when the wheels slip will take your transfer case out in no time. Had some company trucks that didn't even make it to 30000 kms from being in auto on gravel roads and constantly engaging and disengaging.
CountryRider
Active VIP Member
Bingo. My auto hubs quit and I swapped em out for Warm premiums.
Now I KNOW im in 4x4
I think i know your problem... it's a ford
Scrambled
Active VIP Member
problem with auto locking is you need forward momentum to engage so if you cant move they wont engage,were as manual they are locked in as soon as you turn the hub.
CountryRider
Active VIP Member
Thts only for 4x4 automatic when traction is gone and wheels are spining... My electronic 4x4 once it's turned to 4x4 within the 5 seconds its in 4x4...
- Moderator
- #12
Interesting.... My 05, is the same as your 07, but my light comes on the dash saying I'm in 4x4, but the front end doesn't lock up. So if I take it off auto, and swith it manually to Lock, My front diff will engage???
youngpolarisguy
Active VIP Member
When you turn the switch on you dash the 4x4 module sends the signal to lock the front hubs and t-case. The hubs are called "pulse lock hub's" the truck sends 20" of vacuum to the hubs for say 30 seconds to lock in the hubs (it doesn't actually take that long to lock) once locked they are locked until the truck sends 5" of vacuum to the hubs to unlock them. The knob on the hub is for if something with the system goes wrong (eg. you rip off a vacuum line) then you have to option to get out and manualy lock the hubs. Its no like to old auto hubs that they had in the 90's. The one kicker to this is if you truck has a floor shift you most likely don't have the auto hubs, they will be manual and you have to get out and lock them in.
youngpolarisguy
Active VIP Member
What gm doesn't tell you is that there auto 4x4 mode is hard on you drive line. When you push that button the front diff locks just like when you put it in 4x4 but it doesn't lock the t-case, so when ever you drive the whole stem turns till you slip and it locks the t-case. Had a few gm techs say they have seen a lot of premature wear from driving all the time in auto.
E to the v
Active VIP Member
I miss true manual hubs. These autos blow, i dont want plastic under my 1 ton. The pass side hub on my 04 came out in pieces the other night. (was removing to clean & grease). I would like to put in some warn primos but theyre $$$ as hell, & look stupid sunk 2 inches inside the center cap.
- Moderator
- #16
andystepper
Active VIP Member
that auto 4wd button in the chevys is a 2000 dollar button. should never be pressed. i have three friends that thought that button was awesome until they started having problems. turned out that the clutch packs welded themselves together from engaging/disengaging all the time
on the 03 ford they are a vacum operated hub
the manual is a backup in case the seal for the vacum fails which they often due
without the option to manually lock them you d be screwed
had over a dozen of these trucks and they are still the same today
cheers hope this helps
the manual is a backup in case the seal for the vacum fails which they often due
without the option to manually lock them you d be screwed
had over a dozen of these trucks and they are still the same today
cheers hope this helps
- Moderator
- #19
Thanks Cjay, is the seal easy to replace and where would a guy find it?
Are you heading to Mcbride next weekend with Jay?
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