One locked hub

[Spitfire1975]

Ok....Didn't do my usual regular check to make sure both hubs are unlocked before driving. Drove it about 300 miles, speeds up to 70. Was wondering why it sounded rough on the front driver's wheel. Checked it and it was locked.

Wondering what, if any, damage could have been done driving it like this for that long. Seems to be ok as of now. Gave me some nasty gas mileage though......

 

[-Nathan-]

its been known to wear out spider gears, but i bet your fine.

 

[Spitfire1975]

Good deal. Changed the fluid in it the other night for the first time (since I have had it). F U G L Y!! Not happy at all......good thing I don't use the 4x all that much.

 

[96Greenster]

That kept happening to me all the time, I just said fuk it! And locked both of them fulltime..

 

[-Nathan-]

its one thing to lock both of them, but if you lock just one, it ends up spinning the spider gears....and wearing them out prematurely.

 

[Downey]

i run all winter with mine locked in. you should be fine

 

[Spitfire1975]

its one thing to lock both of them, but if you lock just one, it ends up spinning the spider gears....and wearing them out prematurely.

That was my concern.

 

[Yellowsplash]

The 95-96 Explorers and many other vehicles equipped with a CAD (Center axle disconnect) have the drivers side cv shaft locked to the diff at all times while the CAD disconnects the passenger cv shaft. The spider gears are always turning while you’re moving. While I agree its not the best for a permanent solution due to wear and tear, worrying about running it a few times or even a month during the winter wont hurt it a bit.

 

[Spitfire1975]

Good. No big deal. Just thought I would check with everyone else.