Jan 08, 2006  hey, i got a 2000 ford f 350 diesel 4x4.i need to know alittle more about the hubs, know they need to be locked inorder for the truck to be able to be in 4x4? Know wat if you lock then but dont engage the 4x4, can you drive for a few hrs witht he hubs locked but not in 4x4.please help. Oh ya and i have the floor mounted manual lever 4x4wat if u dont lock them, and then put the truck in 4x4. When should you lock your hubs? When should you unlock them? Could you leave them locked? Locking hub were invented to engage/disengage the front wheels from the front axle shafts. Idea was to keep parts that were not needed in 2WD mode from rotating in order to reduce mechanical drag and thus save gas. Good idea but the savings are extremely.

Manual locking hubs are used to engage or disengage the front wheels to the front axle shafts. This reduces wear and tear on the front axle. Hub components are often made of cast aluminum and can break easily. Locking hubs are disconnected when the vehicle is put into two-wheel drive, and reconnected for changing back to four-wheel driving. It is necessary to disassemble the manual locking hubs when they break or wear out and and need replacing.

Step 1

Use a jack to raise the vehicle and bring the wheel up to a more serviceable height.

Step 2

Remove the hub cap, if your truck has one. You may need to use a tire iron or a flat-head screwdriver to pry it off.

Step 3

Locate the silver ring that has two tabs sticking out from its sides. This is the retaining ring. Pinch these tabs toward each other with your fingers to remove the ring. If it is too difficult to remove with your fingers, use a pair of pliers to pinch the tabs.

Grasp the lockout portion of the hub firmly with your fingers. Wiggle the lockout portion up and down and back and forth, pulling it away from the hub to remove it. You may need a rubber mallet to help gently knock it loose.

Tips

Ford Manual Locking Hubs 4x4 Problems

• Make sure you have the necessary tools before starting the project.
• After removal, make sure the parts are kept together and in order.
• Manual locking hubs may vary by model of truck. Refer to the owner's manual for detailed information on the locking hubs installed on your truck.

Warning

• Manual locking hubs are designed for off-road use and do not create independent wheel traction like differential locks.

Items you will need

• Vehicle jack
• Tire wrench
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Pliers
• Rubber mallet

Photo Credits

• Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images

1999 Ford Ranger 4x4 Manual Locking Hubs

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Answer

Ford Manual Locking Hubs Diagram

I have a 2005 which does have locking hubs, but that is so youcan lock your differential from slipping. If you're stuck on a hillwith all 4 wheels spinning, lock the hubs and your gear ratio isfar apart, your front wheels won't spin, and the front wheels willactually do the pulling.

Ford Manual Locking Hubs 4x4 Parts

Whether yours has locking hubs depends on the year of F250.Later F250's, I believe beginning with the 1998 models, do haveauto-locking / manual hubs. The later F250 hubs can be activatedmanually or electronically. When you electronically turn on the 4wd('shift-on-the-fly'), you engage the transfer case, front driveshaft, and front axle shafts. Also, when you electronically turn onthe 4wd you activate a vacuum solenoid, which provides a vacuumsource to each of your front hubs to engage them. The front hubsonly connect the front wheels to the front axle shafts and hasnothing to do with the front axle differential, which is an opendifferential unless you have a differential other than the factoryinstalled piece.