how long can i lock the hubs

[clifford97]

i SEARCHED and couldnt find anything on it. im just wondering how long i can keep my manual hubs locked with it in 2wd before the hubs get damaged? ive herd both sides, that you can lock them and drive for miles and that if im not in 4wd they shouldnt be locked for any period of time... so im asking you guys what the deal is. were getting some snow tonight into tomorrow and id like to have the hubs locked so if i need 4wd i can just shift the lever and not have to get out on the highway. thanks

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

All winter long if you want. It isn't going to hurt a damn thing.

Both my super duty and my 97 ranger have the hubs locked all winter.

 

[feellnfroggy]

I have auto hubs that a member here welded. So they are full lock all the time. Ive been told mild grease on manual hubs, and also been told auto tranny fluid. Since you turn the hub sideways to get it on, im not sure how to keep tranny fluid in there, but they say it works. As long as it both or none. never have just one locked in or your asking for trouble. Kep in mind, mine are running just through the winter but all year round. Just like the live axle rangers.

 

[racsan]

mine are locked all winter long, no issues. jsut dont have one locked and the other unlocked.

 

[Grey_04]

as noted above I've left mine locked all winter. a few times I have turned them out and right back in at the car wash just to keep them moving and to clear any dirt or derbies that has gotten in the outer cap while hosing it off..

 

[cammeddrz]

i have been told that driving in 2wd with the front d/s turning can make the chain in a chain driven t-case skip, i've never seen it. like i said i've been told

 

[legoms013]

You can have them locked in indefinetaly. Just as long as they are greased properly you are set to go. Also keep an eye on all front axle wear items like u-joints (axles and driveshaft) as well as diff fluid. These will be subjected to more wear with the hubs locked so just keep a mechanic's eye on it all.

 

[84stealthranger]

Yea I locked mine in for awhile and now sometimes something will short grinding noise so I keep them unlocked till I need them. I also noticed that the right axle seal on my front diff now has a small leak because of leaving the hubs locked in. I think its worth it to just get out and unlock them when not needed to not have to worry about something

 

[legoms013]

Yea I locked mine in for awhile and now sometimes something will short grinding noise so I keep them unlocked till I need them. I also noticed that the right axle seal on my front diff now has a small leak because of leaving the hubs locked in. I think its worth it to just get out and unlock them when not needed to not have to worry about something

You might have some sort of bearing that is on the verge of failing, or a u-joint causing the noise you hear.

If all your stuff is in good working order there is no need to worry about having the hubs locked for short or long periods of time.

 

[pcollins]

Mine are locked all winter long, unless we get a week or 2 without snow and the roads are clear. then i unlock them for a short while to keep wear down.

 

[AllanD]

Actually if you want to get technical... FOREVER...

Driving with the Hubs "locked" means that nothing inside the hub is moving relative to any other piece... they are LOCKED.

Running UN-locked actually causes wear to the bearing/bushing in the hub.


Now as to everything else in a TTB suspension? spinning the shafts doesn't hurt anything
unless something hasn't been lubricated or it's already on it's way out and then as one thing fails it can cause "Fratracide" and take other stuff with it.

I often lock my hubs for the first snow storm of the season then simply forget to unlock them until it all melts OR I'm taking a long highway trip.

And during the summer I usually lock my hubs one day a week to spin everything over
circulate the lube, warm everything up and drive out the moisture...


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[igiveup]

Hello

On my 85 B2 I left them locked for 2 years. I see mud or ditch or anywhere to play of I would go.

igiveup