Hubs locked on dry streets

Darby1 · Dec 19, 2008

I work at the fire department and we drive a 2006 Ford F350 aid car. It's 4 wheel drive and has quarter turn hubs up front with a 60. They just made a new policy that says we will leave the hubs locked all winter regardless of road conditions or if we're in 2 wheel drive. I'm thinking leaving the hubs locked in for 3-4 months and hitting speeds around 80mph on dry roads could lead to excessive ware? Or atleast a weird feeling in the steering wheel? No one here agrees with me, stating that the back axle turns all the time why not the front too. Am I wrong, is this a good idea?

Hip · Dec 19, 2008

the axels will be driving your front driveshaft constantly and you will not be able to turn nearly as easy as since the axel is being driven it will bind going around EVERY corner. this will make everything wear at a greatly accelerated rate as well as could cause a wreck as you cannot steer nearly as well with the front axels turning.

.02$

policy made by someone who does not understand mechanical stuff.

Jaydog · Dec 19, 2008

Shouldn't be a problem at all, most rigs now a days come with full time hubs, and they don't seem to have issues

Cascade_Crawler · Dec 19, 2008

I dont see a problem, as long as the transfer case is in 2 wheel. Your open differential will take care of any binding that may occur, its probably a good idea do you can just pop it in 4wd on the fly without getting out to lock the hubs. The majority of jeeps out there do not have CAD and no not run hubs meaning that the front end is always turning, thats the factory setup...

Glenn · Dec 19, 2008

Won't be a problem as long as the transfer case is in 2wd when you don't need 4wd. I have gone 70+ mph with the hubs locked in 2wd, and never had a problem with that.

Binder · Dec 19, 2008

You won't be able to tell the difference while driving it. I have a 2000 F250 and I've done this by accident for long distances before and didn't know untill I looked at the hub and saw it was locked. Will cause some extra wear and use a bit more fuel but in this case I don't see that as being a big deal.

ZedMikey · Dec 19, 2008

Hip said:
the axels will be driving your front driveshaft constantly and you will not be able to turn nearly as easy as since the axel is being driven it will bind going around EVERY corner. this will make everything wear at a greatly accelerated rate as well as could cause a wreck as you cannot steer nearly as well with the front axels turning.

.02$

policy made by someone who does not understand mechanical stuff.

Like Binder said, this would only be a problem if the tcase was in 4. If your hubs are locked and your tcase is in 2, you shouldn't notice a difference.

Darby1 · Dec 19, 2008

Thanks guys! I was thinking the same as Hip, but it sounds like it should be fine. Now I have to go admit that I was wrong

Not Jobless · Dec 19, 2008

I always run the hubs of my tow rig locked in.

KarlVP · Dec 19, 2008

Jackazz said:
I always run the hubs of my tow rig locked in.

That's the only option. :eeek:

Glenn · Dec 19, 2008

Jackazz said:
I always run the hubs of my tow rig locked in.

Isn't that a 2wd? :redneck:

Not Jobless · Dec 19, 2008

Glenn said:
Isn't that a 2wd? :redneck:

:haha: :haha: :haha:

Hip · Dec 19, 2008

Jaydog said:
Shouldn't be a problem at all, most rigs now a days come with full time hubs, and they don't seem to have issues

yeah but all those rigs come with automatic hubs so essentially they are disengaged.

they probably weighed the extra wear vs how little actual mileage and good maintenance.

Binder · Dec 19, 2008

Hip said:
they probably weighed the extra wear vs how little actual mileage and good maintenance.

Or they actually needed the 4wD and went to lock the hubs only to find they were stuck. Very common for these hubs.

J_SIN · Dec 19, 2008

I had to use a crecent wrench on my passenger hub for my f350 to get it unlocked after going up to evens on saturday. had to do it again today to lock it so now they are staying locked.

CHOP SHOP · Dec 19, 2008

Hip said:
yeah but all those rigs come with automatic hubs so essentially they are disengaged.

Ive never seen an AUTOHUB on a 88-99 chev/gmc, all jeep cherokes, any old ford chev dodge or wagoneer that had a fulltime tcase doesnt have an auto hub either and are fine. what about IFS toyotas, they have driveplates. I think there are less auto hubs on the road than driveplates/unit bearing rigs.

I have to aggree and disagree on the manners issue. If the truck has CV axles you are not going to notice any difference. If the truck has Ujoint axles you will feel it when turning sharply a little bit, Ive owned 2 rigs with ujoint axles and driveplates and open diffs, and can really feel a difference. One was a chev with no hubs, the other was a late 70s ramcharger. the ramcharger was really noticable cuz of the shorter wheelbase I think.

Binder · Dec 20, 2008

J_SIN said:
I had to use a crecent wrench on my passenger hub for my f350 to get it unlocked after going up to evens on saturday. had to do it again today to lock it so now they are staying locked.

Spray them with WD 40 every month or so. Works wonders.:;

zukkev · Dec 20, 2008

Darby, Just run 'em locked---we're all payin for it anyway!:redneck:

Darby1 · Dec 20, 2008

zukkev said:
Darby, Just run 'em locked---we're all payin for it anyway!:redneck:

Good point! I get all worked up when things get busted and banged up around here but it's only MY aid car when I'm on duty. MY fire truck has a big dent right now too

If I only cared that much about my toyota....

zukkev · Dec 20, 2008

Darby said:
Good point! I get all worked up when things get busted and banged up around here but it's only MY aid car when I'm on duty. MY fire truck has a big dent right now too If I only cared that much about my toyota....

Now that's the sprirt!!!:cheer: