|
|
Auto Hub Locks SUCK!!! . . . . ...right?
IF THE IMAGE IS TOO SMALL, click it.
As bad as this looks, and despite the fact that it isn't working at the moment, there's nothing wrong with this 3-screw auto hub lock that can't be fixed with cleaning. And considering that this much water got past the 3 screws & wide O-ring of this cap, even more would have gotten in through the 5~6 screws, thin cap O-ring, and knob O-ring of a manual lock. It would also have done more rust-damage to those thinner springs. So manual hub locks are more-sensitive to neglect than autos. The only reason they seem to last longer is that they tend to be installed on trucks that need more hub maintenance anyway, so manuals get serviced more. But manual hub locks CAN & DO fail like this, and in even-worse ways.
After cleaning, this lock works perfectly. If it had been serviced the way Warn (the manufacturer) & Ford recommend (dunking in ATF twice a year), it never would have gotten this bad.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Today's free-running hubs are very simple to operate and feature seals that prevent the entry of dirt and moisture. Automatic locking hubs are used in many applications. They use the front axle shaft rotation to actuate a cam that locks and unlocks the hub.
There are two types of front hubs currently in use on Ford Trucks:
^ Manual (or free-running) that require the driver to get out of the cab to either lock or unlock them.
^ Automatic locking (they lock automatically when the axle shaft begins to turn).
The vehicle operator doesn't have to wait until the last minute (or when stuck) to lock the hubs. It makes sense to plan ahead and lock them at a convenient time. The hubs can be left in the locked position all the time if desired. For example, if the vehicle is constantly going from the highway to off the road conditions and back, it's not necessary to lock or unlock every time. If the vehicle is equipped with a manual shift transfer case and manual locking hubs, low range can be selected when the vehicle's front hubs are unlocked. This is useful for short distances if very low, creeper gearing (but not 4WD) is needed. For example, backing an empty boat trailer down a launching ramp is best accomplished in 2WD. Once the boat is loaded, 4L (low) can be selected to help pull the boat up the ramp. The hubs don't have to be locked for this purpose, and being in 2WD will prevent driveline windup while maneuvering in the boat ramp parking lot.
|
