How does Ford auto locking hubs work?
The locking mechanism inside an automatic locking hub is sort of like a one-way clutch. When torque is applied by the driveshaft, it forces the hub to slide in and lock. The hub then remains in the locked position as long as the transfer case remains in four-wheel drive.
How do automatic hubs work 4X4?
How do freewheeling hubs work? Freewheeling hubs or locking hubs engage or disengage the front axle half shaft from the hub of the front wheels. This allows the 4WD to behave in the same fashion as a conventional two-wheel drive car with only the rear wheels being ‘driven’.
How do you engage 4X4 with manual locking hubs?
The manual locking hubs are more common on trucks.
- Inspect the center hub of one of your front tires.
- Place the hub turntable to the “lock” or “4X4” position on both front wheels.
- Get into the driver’s seat of the truck.
- Turn the ignition key to start the truck.
- Locate the 4-wheel drive transfer case stick-shift.
What happens if you don’t lock your hubs?
Good news is that you will not need to stop for shifting into 4WD – with the locking hubs engaged the drive lines are synchronized. Leaving your hubs locked will cause no damage to your vehicle and will not influence it’s handling.
How do you check locking hubs?
Lock both hubs, get under the truck, & turn the front d’shaft while watching the U-joints in each steering knuckle. The one that continues to spin is broken. If they both lock & you can’t turn the d’shaft any more, the t-case is the problem.
Why does Ford still have locking hubs?
The only reason the new fords have locking hubs is it takes 3/4 of a revelotion for the 4×4 to engage so if your stuck already and your front tires wont turn you can manually lock the hub so it does not need that 3/4 revolution to engage. Otherwise the manual locking hub is not used.