Auto hubs not releasing completely?

[Krafty10]

Used 4 x 4 couple of weeks ago in snow and ice now I have some problems with, I think, my hubs. When driving in 2wd, my front drive shaft turns along with front wheels. Placed truck on jacks stands checked following. In drive, only rear wheels turn not front driveshaft or wheels. In 4wd all wheels turn. Rotating front wheels by hand only wheels turn, not axles or driveshaft. If I turn the front driveshaft by hand at about half turn the front wheels "engage" as if in 4wd. Can someone tell me if this means my hubs are gone? Should I try removing all the grease from them (I read this in another thread)? I would like to know before I buy manual hubs. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

its hard to tell with the info you've given, but it sounds like the hubs are working right.

the hubs should lock in when you turn the front driveline by hand. then they should unlock when you turn the front wheels by hand in the opposite direction.

 

[dennis461]

??

"...When driving in 2wd, my front drive shaft turns along with front wheels. ..."
How did you check this, was someone running alongside?

 

[Krafty10]

Dennis461, I had the vehicle up on 4 jackstands (all wheels off the ground) then placed it in drive and got out to look underneath.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

I would recommend just doing the manual hub swap anyways..it's a great investment and no more worries about whether or not they're locking. I did the swap in my Ranger, best thing I ever did. I'd check eBay, you can find them for a fairly reasonable price.

 

[kemicalburns]

I agree, manual hubs are the way to go.

 

[Ozwynn]

you need to change direction for 10 feet to unlock those POS auto hubs....... do the manual conversion.