FROM: w.j.markerink@a1.nl (Willem-Jan Markerink) SUBJECT: Re: Manual hubs question DATE: Sun, 09 May 99 00:59:02 GMT ORGANIZATION: A1 Internet news-server NEWSGROUPS: rec.autos.4x4 In article <7h1dnl$dnk$1@nnrp1.deja.com>, drider@my-dejanews.com wrote: >I had always been told to lock the hubs in once in a while to redistribute >the lubrication. I am not sure whether to believe that, but during the >winter snowy times, I may leave my hubs (1989 F-150) locked in. It's not so much the hub that needs lubcriation, but the rest of the front drivetrain, in particular ring & pinion of the diff....those would otherwise sit statically half-submerged in diff oil, and over time, the top of the gears would start to rust. Which eventually might lead to annoying vibrations, if not more serious damage. These are not just theoretical warnings, I know of vehicles that had to replace the diff because of this. Worst is of course a vehicle that is never used in 4wd, like dedicated tow vehicles. I even know owners that *did* find out their front end was stuffed, and simply removed the front drive shaft, because 4wd wasn't needed anyway....all he did was towing on flat well-maintained roads, day-in-day-out, year-in-year-out. -- Bye, Willem-Jan Markerink The desire to understand is sometimes far less intelligent than the inability to understand [note: 'a-one' & 'en-el'!] FROM: sbest@TAKEOUTglinx.com (sbest) SUBJECT: Re: Lock the hubs or not DATE: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 11:39:35 GMT ORGANIZATION: Business Internet NEWSGROUPS: rec.autos.4x4 On 19 Oct 1999 01:59:38 GMT, shogan8160@aol.com (SHogan8160) wrote: >Hey all I have an 83 Bronco full size and need some advise. Can I leave the >manual hubs locked in the front or should I leave them unlocked. I know that I >can not drive at highway speeds in 4 High and the hubs locked, but what about >with the hubs locked and in 2 high. I have asked 3 different people and have >gotten 3 different answers. I drove my 82 Bronco with hubs locked all the time except for long highway trips when I happened to think about unlocking the hubs. My fulltime 4wd van happens to have locking hubs but they are always engaged. The only time it may be a nuisance is if your front spline or "U" joints are worn you may get some noise from them. They should be replaced in that case. There is a theory that running with the hubs NOT locked in contributes to parts ("U" joints, splines and bearings) wear in the front. Evidence of this is more frequent wear of these parts on the front of part-time trucks than the rear or the front of fulltime 4x4s. While on the surface it does not seem to make sense, after all the parts aren't moving right? Well, they are being subjected to weathering and vibration without relative movement to keep the grease moving. The roller elements are subject to continual vibration while in the same position, "flat spotting" the rollers and races. Water that has made it past seals (ever drive in the rain?) sits next to steel instead of being emulsified in moving grease. Ever pull a front "U" joint apart and find rust pits or a chatter pattern in the cross journal? These are not normal wear patterns in rear "U" joints. Don't be afraid to leave your hubs locked in while driving in 2wd, infact it may be a good idea to do it more often. Steve Best, Nova Scotia, 4x4 van website: http://www.glinx.com/users/sbest