Thank you random Australian man I've never seen before, you've cleared up something I've been worried about for a while, it's good to know that I've not been damaging my front hubs on my old f250 by leaving them locked all winter
Great quick vid, Ronny, and excellent comments, everyone! I just got my first locking hub rig and felt pretty clueless about how to use/maintain them right. Thanks again.
On a part time 4WD, having the hubs locked in at highway speeds will contribute to higher fuel consumption and potentially some additional vibration and noise from the all hardware up-front being motored along, so I tend to avoid this. I actually tend to keep the hubs UNLOCKED if I envisage that I will be travelling at speeds over 60kmh in my GQ Patrol (in 2H), but I do tend to lock the hubs a few minutes before I know I will need 4WD as it's good to get the front end spinning and lubricated before actually engaging 4WD and putting the load on.
I leave them locked during winter. Im not worryed about a little vibration. I daily a 80s jeep with a rough country lift. Its stiff as hell rides like crap but honestly corners better than stock. Practicaly no flex though.
Will the 4 wheel be considered engaged if the hubs are unlocked? Speaking 4H and not 4L. I mean, consider that I am driving on 4H without the hubs locked, will the vehicle be on 4 wheel drive?
@@elmigwar No, because the hubs are unlocked, there is no drive being transmitted to the front wheels. You are just driving the front differential all the way to the hubs but the hubs are not transmitting any torque to the wheels. It may actually cause damage to operate in this manner
@@elmigwar No, with manual hubs in the unlock setting the front wheels are not connected to the axle, free wheeling. With manual hub turn to lock position, then when using 4WD you will be in 4WD. Hope this helps you.
Long term over a period of weeks, or a long trip, if you make a habit of leaving the hubs locked, on IFS #1, you spin the CV axles, they themselves can wear (the joints, even boots wear more than sitting still as they do with the hubs unlocked) #2, there are usually bearings supporting the axle's outer tip. They are located in the spindle. In most cases those were durability tested to be used a small fraction of the total km's/miles the vehicle will sustain. You will put them at risk of wear out, and that is not a small service repair! If the wheel is doused in mud, or your vehicle is toward the end of it's service life, you pretty much guarantee you are going to wallow out your hubs. So I would say, the video gives bad advice if applied over all, to many vehicles- virtually all IFS, and a few solid axles. That said in my area- Canadian winter with snow- where you use 4x4 to exit a rural area, an urban residential alley or unplowed residential street... then go out on a plowed/salted/sundried freeway/highway, then at the end of your trip, back to needing 4x4... well the convenience of leaving them locked *is* overwhelming.
Great tips. Previously I owned a Defender, which was full time 4x4, so no getting out of vehicle to lock hubs was required. I've recently acquired a Troopy and wondered about having the hubs locked in while getting about in 2x4. And thanks to you I now understand. Cheers mate.
While I was growing up, we always left the hubs locked in on the 1973 Chevrolet 1/2 ton that my parents purchased new and owned for over 40 years. Didn't seem to hurt anything.
thanks for the vid! not sure if this is your wheelhouse or not, but would be great to do one on part-time 4wd, full 4wd, full time awd, and on-demand awd. difference and pros/cons of each in relation to on and off-road handling, performance, etc in various conditions (snow, rain, ice, mud, sand, dry, etc)
@@70xr7Cougar When locking the hub, it then connects the hub to the front drive shaft. Then when put in 4WD power is applied to the front drive shaft driving the wheel. With hubs unlocked they are disconnected from the front drive shaft, a.k.a freewheeling, thus when engaging 4WD will not do anything to the front wheels. With Auto locking hubs, from within the cabin flip a switch or move a lever it goes into 4WD automatically. Keep in mind with auto locking hubs the front driveshaft always turns, even when not in 4WD. Some folks say it will put wear and tear on the front drive components and reduce fuel economy.
It is a good idea to lock the hubs when doing a lot of km's on bad corrugations, otherwise the differential carrier bearings can be damaged, because the carrier is not rotating, causing flat spots on the one or two rollers in the bearings that take all of the pounding.
We had a 74 IH 1210 4x4. I realized dad was NOT locking the hubs but deliberately engaging the 4x4 level when he was on our muddy, steep, graveled hill. I saw this once when in 2wd and rear wheels slipped. Dad engaged the 4x4 and we went up the hill just fine. He also did this on wintry roads and it worked fine. I suspect the tolerances at the hubs was tight and had thick grease allowing the front wheels to "engage" a little. If the conditions were bad we locked the hubs. Friends tried this on their trucks and never worked. But, if you didn't engage once in a while mechanical wear occured from lack of lube from the hub not turning. Lol cheap viscous coupling! Lol!
Can confirm, done the science on it. You can drive with hubs locked, no problem. The wheels still turn at different speeds. Just never shift into 4WD unless you're on slippery ground, or you'll be screwed.
Ali Aykut Boz any chance you could explain if you have to tamper with the vacuum line once you have the manual Hubs in? Also do you know anything about the 4wd drive not engaging ?
Thanks Ronny that clears it up for because it’s now almost 2022 and I’m looking at a Toyota for a summer build project and wondered if I was in crocodile country 👀 if I could keep safe and have the hubs already engaged 👍🏻
I leave my hubs locked all the time in my 79 series twin cab and have driven thousands of K's like that with no adverse affects, that way when I hit the diet can shift into 4wd without having to stop, get out, lock the hubs etc. did a mileage test for a thousand K's and could not determine any real fuel savings in free wheeling or locked anyway. also own a TJ Jeep Wrangler and that doesnt even have free wheeling hubs, the front diff and propeller shaft spins around all the time even when in 2wd and after 200K the front diff and associated gear is ok
There are time when a person wants to use low range with out the front being locked in. Backing a trailer into a tight spot which requires turning the front wheel a lot. Low range with the front wheels free prevents the drive line from binding up. I use low unlocked lots of times. Also, just no reason to have the ware on all the front parts when driving around in summer when you would never lock up the front end. I live in the rocky mountains at over 8000 feet where we can have 25 feet of snow each winter. I just leave the hubs locked in winter and unlocked in summer. If go somewhere and might need 4 wheel traction I just lock the hubs as soon as I leave the pavement. The old style free hubs actually add more functionality. I won't own anything else.
Ive got a 78 F250 that I locked the huns the day I got it and theyve stayed locked ever since. I live were it snows hard and I absolutely do not want to get out of the truck to lock my hubs when theres literally no major advantage, sure maybe a bit of gas mileage, but its alslmost ko real gain money wise when you consider how much it chugs gas either way.
our local CFA have slip on trucks (v8 cruisers) they insist we leave the hubs locked, im sure the Vic parks officers do aswell. and haven't heard of any problems.
You wear out your CV'S in your swivel hubs alot faster with your hubs locked. To check if your cv's are worn, lock hubs, engage 4WD low range and drive around with steering wheel lock to lock if you hear clicking noises from the front end of your vehicle your cv's are showing signs of wear and should be replaced. If you drive around day to day with your hubs locked when 4WD is not needed you can cause premature wear on your cv's, witch could eventually cause if the cv fails steering to lockup and the wheel to lockup. Not what you need when you have to rely on your 4WD system working to get you out of a hole.
Landcruiser Troopy, touring and Mods. Yes, That is why they are always breaking on front wheel drive race cars! That is one part you can only make so strong!
All based upon time of year and location. Fifteen years in Montana and I'd engage my hubs in early November and disengage them sometime after March. Fuel mileage sucks on winterized diesel so fuel economy wasn't an issue. Now that I am in central Texas, I engage them once in awhile and run them for about a week or so just to make sure they engage and disengage. No real need for 4WD here.
if you have some vibration while hubs in lock while in two wheel drive you have a problem, there should be nil vibration, I have had cruisers for a long time and always drive in two wheel drive with the hubs in lock
That's because your cruiser has a button on the dash that disengages the lock in the diff so you don't have to get out and manually do it. Call it technology. I've got a old school hillux if you don't free the hubs on bitumen road you'll definitely damage components on your front running gear usually doing sharp turns, like parking.
Hey great info btw even at 2023 for clueless person like me…😂 I just have one question, what if the front hub unlocked but I put Low gear into L4… will it cause any damage? I owned a Land Cruiser II 1995 LC79.
I keep my manual hubs locked full time on my Suzuki jimny as said as long as it's not in 4 wheel drive on the transfer box it won't do any damage as it's all ment to spin anyway
Sorry, silly question time. I have a 1997 Terrano II 2.7 TDI Diesel with a manual gearbox. I've owned it for about six years now, I don't have a workshop/owners manual for car and have never used it for 4wd. The guy I bought the car from didn't know how to lock/unlock either. It has a hub lock, do I need the car idling to lock hub for Low/High Range selection or can I lock/unlock hub whilst car is turned off. I've been chasing my tail googling for an answer and I'm just not getting anywhere. Thanking you in advance P.T.
Hub locks (on the wheels) can be locked or unlocked any time. The 4WD and low range selection lever can also be moved weather the car is running or not but you sometimes need to reverse slightly to go back from 4WD to 2WD.
Really it's all what you're driving, my 1990 toyota pickup has the stock ifs front suspension set up but I have a 4 inch lift, I personally dont like the angle my CV axles are at so I dont think it would be wise to drive with my hubs locked In, being worried about my axle shafts binding up at high speed. If the truck was stock and the correct angle on the CV axles it wouldn't be a problem.
What about upgrades to locking hubs. On my old Ford Ranger I installed Warn hubs to repair the broken factory ford hubs. Also my IH Scout II had warn also very trouble free.
My partner bought me a pajero from a friend going back overseas and it is making a scraping noise and was told it was the speed cable but i found that I have 1 hub locked in but the other is in free position is it suppose to be like that. Cheers Leonie
No you won't. Not all vehicles with part-time 4WD have locking hubs as standard, sometimes they are an option. Free-wheeling hubs are primarily a fuel saving device. Having them locked you may feel that it doesn't accelerate as easily as with them unlocked, and that there may be additional vibration through the steering, but you will not damage anything.
I should add on some vehicles (such as Series Land Rovers) you are required to lock the hubs occasionally even if you are on tarmac in 2WD, because otherwise the wheel bearings, differentials etc. aren't getting lubricated. On these vehicles it can also cause seizure of the 4WD mechanism.
Hey so i was just wondering, i was backing up with my hubs locked and 4h ingaged to get out of my muddy driveway then i got my rear tires on the road i got out and set my hubs free, i backed up about 5more feet and then drove forwards about 1/4 mile then i noticed my 4h light was on onthe dashboard, i immediatly pulled over and shifted back into 2h.. I drive a 1992 f150 5.0 and im just wondering if anyone has any info on my situation. The truck still drives but my transfer case does sound a little rough
+Dakota Mantai If your locking hubs did actually disengage staying in 4H could not result in damage. But if they did not unlock (some times altough you unlock the hubs they can stay locked) you would put a lot of stress on your drivetrain which can result in damage. However when you drive in 4H with locked wheels on a hard surface you will feel that the car behaves differently when you take corners, a specially tight corners (shaking,tremors). I always switch to 2H because unlocking the hubs and staying in 4H has no advantage what so ever. Althoug your question is 10Months old i hope this will ease your mind a little and that it gives you the answers you needed.
As a towtruck driver, i was wondering if it is possible to unlock the hubs, and then tow a 4WD with the rear end lifted? If the hubs are unlocked, they are not connected to the transmission, but is it safe to do it this way?
Yes that is safe to do. But if it has locking hubs it would most likely be a part time 4WD anyway so it is also safe to tow with the hubs locked as long as it is in 2WD.
So what does locking the hubs actually do - as opposed to locking the diff? I have tried to do some research for myself but I can never get a straight answer. I 'think' that it may be this: If you lock the front diff, then both halves of the front axle will turn evenly as they are both being driven and having torque applied. But if the hub is not locked then the torque is not being applied to the wheels - just to the axle(s). But when you lock the hub then the wheel is 'attached' to the torque'd axle. Is that correct? Thanks
Transfer cases have nothing to do with the axles. The transfer case merely transfers the engine power between the front and rear differentials. If you are in 4wd, the transfer case will turn the front drive shaft. If you are in 2wd, the front drive shaft will not turn. The real magic of 4wd occurs at the differential and axle connections. A true locker, locks the differential so that the left and right wheel are locked together and should only be used in low traction areas where you do not bind the axles. The locking hubs lock the wheels to the axles that are usually part of an open differential which allows the left and right wheels to spin independently of one another. If you are in 4wd, the front drive shaft will turn thus engaging the differential, just like the rear differential, and the front wheels will spin relative to the gear ratio in the front diff. Hopefully you followed all of that but most vehicles unless specially equipped like Rubicons, do not have true lockers on the differential, you generally have locking hubs that tye the axles to an open differential.
Um, no, not really, however, I read your reply to a mate, and he told me that you're implying that, unless I buy a whole vehicle, then I'm gonna be shit outta luck, sort of thing... is that what you're meaning? Thanks.
quick question. is it ok if i put on 4L to climb on normal road, but i don't lock the front hubs? sometimes the lux just dont have enough power to climb on 2H
4H or 4L does nothing for your traction unless the hubs are locked in. The whole reason you have the locking hubs is to tye to wheel to the axle. If you put the vehicle in 4wd but do not lock the hubs, the front wheels will not turn with the axle. If you happen to have a locking differential, that is a completely different beast. You can easily confirm this by block the rears and jacking up the front of the vehicle. Put your vehicle in 4L or 4H but do not lock in the hubs. Now with the front wheels off the ground, turn the front wheels. Notice that the wheel is turning but the drive shaft is not moving. Now lock in the hub, You will not be able to turn the wheels because the driveline is trying to turn the transmission. You will see that the driveline is now trying to turn because you locked the hubs to the front axles and the diff. You will also notice that if you do not have a locking differential, that the front wheels turn independently just like a traditional rear diff. People often confuse Lockers, ie locking differentials, with lock outs, or locking hubs. 2 completely different beasts
If you are referring to an auto locking differential, yes it is different. If you just have auto locking hubs, you still have the open differential. Some people are confusing locking hubs, ie lock outs, with locking differential, often referred to as a locker. An auto locker usually refers to a locking differential but that is not always a guarantee.
Mate I've got a 99 Hilux 5L LN167 with front manual hub locks. I was told to only absolutely LOCK the hubs when 4WDin/Low Range because if I had the hubs locked in 2WD in pavement it would hurt my diffs, is it true? Also to always LOCK the hubs when in 4WD and in Low Range and to never use these two with the hubs unlocked or in pavement (of course). Is it true? I got the Hilux fairly recently and had to get both diffs and clutch done after two weeks of having it $$$$$ so I really wanna make sure I'm doing everything right. Thanks in advance
+Filipe Araujo (mma) in 2WD with the front hubs locked there is no way you can damage them, all it does is stir the diff oil around and makes your vehicle use a bit more fuel. My hubs are locked 75% of the time when I drive in 2WD and if you dont 4x4 much its good to lock the front hubs in 2wd so you stir the oil around. But DON'T use 4x4 LOW or High on the road as this will bind up your drive line. Another tip you can unlock your front hubs in Low range 4x4 when reversing trailers this will give you 2WD low range ;)
The most common advantages people talk about are using less fuel because everything in the front axle isn't rotating when you drive in 2WD, also less wear on axle components. But the real advantages in my opinion are: 1. Most of the time you can keep driving if something breaks in the front axle. Even if your front diff is completely exploded and locked up you can unlock the hubs, put it in 2WD and carry on. 2. The front driveshaft does not need to rotate at high speed. This is an advantage to many cars with lifted suspension because the large driveline angle can cause vibrations and premature wear on universal joints. And if the angles of the universal joints are not matching it will also get bad vibrations at high speeds. By unlocking the hubs and putting it in 2WD the front driveshaft will no longer have to rotate when driving on the highway and it solves these problems.
fuckingkidsthesedays Shouldn't be any different for IFS I would have thought. I've only ever owned part-time 4WDs and all of them have had manual hubs, however some were IFS and my latest is a solid axle rig. Still behave the same way when it comes to hub lock, etc.
Most of the older ones are 6 stud (lug), up till the 100/105 series and some newer I believe. Very annoying when it comes to aftermarket wheels. But Toyota assure people that because the 5 studs are stronger and thicker diameter steel, there is no issue. Personally I sold my 105 cruiser and went to a Nissan patrol
They disconnect the front hubs from the rest of the axle. If you have the hubs locked the front axle shafts, CV/universal joints, differential and driveshaft all get turned by the front wheels when driving even when in 2WD. By unlocking the front hubs, all the parts will not rotate when in 2WD. There are many advantages to this including lower fuel usage, less wear on parts, ability to keep driving if something breaks in the front axle, stops vibrations from the front driveshaft at speed, etc.
This five year old video still helping clueless guys like me, thanks Ronny!
More like 7 year old video lol
Same
@@ckvideo more like 8 year old video.
@@Caleb-gf2oq 😂
@@ckvideo more like 9 year old video
Thank you random Australian man I've never seen before, you've cleared up something I've been worried about for a while, it's good to know that I've not been damaging my front hubs on my old f250 by leaving them locked all winter
Great quick vid, Ronny, and excellent comments, everyone! I just got my first locking hub rig and felt pretty clueless about how to use/maintain them right. Thanks again.
Entering 4wd without hubs locked is like trying to enter a spinning merry-go around at full speed. =)
On a part time 4WD, having the hubs locked in at highway speeds will contribute to higher fuel consumption and potentially some additional vibration and noise from the all hardware up-front being motored along, so I tend to avoid this. I actually tend to keep the hubs UNLOCKED if I envisage that I will be travelling at speeds over 60kmh in my GQ Patrol (in 2H), but I do tend to lock the hubs a few minutes before I know I will need 4WD as it's good to get the front end spinning and lubricated before actually engaging 4WD and putting the load on.
I leave them locked during winter. Im not worryed about a little vibration. I daily a 80s jeep with a rough country lift. Its stiff as hell rides like crap but honestly corners better than stock. Practicaly no flex though.
Will the 4 wheel be considered engaged if the hubs are unlocked? Speaking 4H and not 4L. I mean, consider that I am driving on 4H without the hubs locked, will the vehicle be on 4 wheel drive?
@@elmigwar No, because the hubs are unlocked, there is no drive being transmitted to the front wheels. You are just driving the front differential all the way to the hubs but the hubs are not transmitting any torque to the wheels. It may actually cause damage to operate in this manner
@@HarmanMotorWorks Thank you for the clear reply.
@@elmigwar No, with manual hubs in the unlock setting the front wheels are not connected to the axle, free wheeling. With manual hub turn to lock position, then when using 4WD you will be in 4WD. Hope this helps you.
Long term over a period of weeks, or a long trip, if you make a habit of leaving the hubs locked, on IFS
#1, you spin the CV axles, they themselves can wear (the joints, even boots wear more than sitting still as they do with the hubs unlocked)
#2, there are usually bearings supporting the axle's outer tip. They are located in the spindle. In most cases those were durability tested to be used a small fraction of the total km's/miles the vehicle will sustain. You will put them at risk of wear out, and that is not a small service repair! If the wheel is doused in mud, or your vehicle is toward the end of it's service life, you pretty much guarantee you are going to wallow out your hubs.
So I would say, the video gives bad advice if applied over all, to many vehicles- virtually all IFS, and a few solid axles.
That said in my area- Canadian winter with snow- where you use 4x4 to exit a rural area, an urban residential alley or unplowed residential street... then go out on a plowed/salted/sundried freeway/highway, then at the end of your trip, back to needing 4x4... well the convenience of leaving them locked *is* overwhelming.
I saw this video like 4 years ago, here I am watching it again cause I have a 99' toyota tacoma 4x4 with hub locks in the front:)
Great tips. Previously I owned a Defender, which was full time 4x4, so no getting out of vehicle to lock hubs was required.
I've recently acquired a Troopy and wondered about having the hubs locked in while getting about in 2x4. And thanks to you I now understand. Cheers mate.
+Bill Blinky no worries mate
6yeats after and still helping us awesome video thanks so much
Your a champ new to 4x4s in general your videos are helping me get prepared
While I was growing up, we always left the hubs locked in on the 1973 Chevrolet 1/2 ton that my parents purchased new and owned for over 40 years. Didn't seem to hurt anything.
thanks for the vid! not sure if this is your wheelhouse or not, but would be great to do one on part-time 4wd, full 4wd, full time awd, and on-demand awd. difference and pros/cons of each in relation to on and off-road handling, performance, etc in various conditions (snow, rain, ice, mud, sand, dry, etc)
I drive all winter with the hubs on all of my 4x4s locked and then slip it in and out of 4x4 as needed.
Same. Summer i leave them unlocked unless im wheeling
@@chickensfloat7427 Absolute no knowledge about this...is the manual hub in the front to lock the diff when in 4x4?or what is the goal of it?
@@70xr7Cougar When locking the hub, it then connects the hub to the front drive shaft. Then when put in 4WD power is applied to the front drive shaft driving the wheel. With hubs unlocked they are disconnected from the front drive shaft, a.k.a freewheeling, thus when engaging 4WD will not do anything to the front wheels. With Auto locking hubs, from within the cabin flip a switch or move a lever it goes into 4WD automatically. Keep in mind with auto locking hubs the front driveshaft always turns, even when not in 4WD. Some folks say it will put wear and tear on the front drive components and reduce fuel economy.
It is a good idea to lock the hubs when doing a lot of km's on bad corrugations, otherwise the differential carrier bearings can be damaged, because the carrier is not rotating, causing flat spots on the one or two rollers in the bearings that take all of the pounding.
dream on....lol
...... What is going on in your imagination?
You are true..
We had a 74 IH 1210 4x4. I realized dad was NOT locking the hubs but deliberately engaging the 4x4 level when he was on our muddy, steep, graveled hill. I saw this once when in 2wd and rear wheels slipped. Dad engaged the 4x4 and we went up the hill just fine. He also did this on wintry roads and it worked fine. I suspect the tolerances at the hubs was tight and had thick grease allowing the front wheels to "engage" a little. If the conditions were bad we locked the hubs. Friends tried this on their trucks and never worked.
But, if you didn't engage once in a while mechanical wear occured from lack of lube from the hub not turning. Lol cheap viscous coupling! Lol!
Your videos have come a long way
Can confirm, done the science on it. You can drive with hubs locked, no problem. The wheels still turn at different speeds.
Just never shift into 4WD unless you're on slippery ground, or you'll be screwed.
still not 100% just need to be driving in a straight line under the vehicles specified speed eg 80kph for a nissan patrol
Thank you for this video. I have just installed the manual hub on my jimny and this answered my question
Ali Aykut Boz any chance you could explain if you have to tamper with the vacuum line once you have the manual Hubs in?
Also do you know anything about the 4wd drive not engaging ?
8yrs later and I found this, thanks Rohn
Thanks Ronny that clears it up for because it’s now almost 2022 and I’m looking at a Toyota for a summer build project and wondered if I was in crocodile country 👀 if I could keep safe and have the hubs already engaged 👍🏻
I leave my hubs locked all the time in my 79 series twin cab and have driven thousands of K's like that with no adverse affects, that way when I hit the diet can shift into 4wd without having to stop, get out, lock the hubs etc. did a mileage test for a thousand K's and could not determine any real fuel savings in free wheeling or locked anyway.
also own a TJ Jeep Wrangler and that doesnt even have free wheeling hubs, the front diff and propeller shaft spins around all the time even when in 2wd and after 200K the front diff and associated gear is ok
There are time when a person wants to use low range with out the front being locked in. Backing a trailer into a tight spot which requires turning the front wheel a lot. Low range with the front wheels free prevents the drive line from binding up. I use low unlocked lots of times. Also, just no reason to have the ware on all the front parts when driving around in summer when you would never lock up the front end. I live in the rocky mountains at over 8000 feet where we can have 25 feet of snow each winter. I just leave the hubs locked in winter and unlocked in summer. If go somewhere and might need 4 wheel traction I just lock the hubs as soon as I leave the pavement. The old style free hubs actually add more functionality. I won't own anything else.
just here to remind everyone how fkn SICK this truck looks.
Ive got a 78 F250 that I locked the huns the day I got it and theyve stayed locked ever since. I live were it snows hard and I absolutely do not want to get out of the truck to lock my hubs when theres literally no major advantage, sure maybe a bit of gas mileage, but its alslmost ko real gain money wise when you consider how much it chugs gas either way.
our local CFA have slip on trucks (v8 cruisers) they insist we leave the hubs locked, im sure the Vic parks officers do aswell. and haven't heard of any problems.
You wear out your CV'S in your swivel hubs alot faster with your hubs locked.
To check if your cv's are worn,
lock hubs, engage 4WD low range and drive around with steering wheel lock to lock if you hear clicking noises from the front end of your vehicle your cv's are showing signs of wear and should be replaced.
If you drive around day to day with your hubs locked when 4WD is not needed you can cause premature wear on your cv's, witch could eventually cause if the cv fails steering to lockup and the wheel to lockup. Not what you need when you have to rely on your 4WD system working to get you out of a hole.
Good point!
Just to add,that's why the factory installed those hubs: so that you can UNLOCK them!!
Well that means all front wheel drive cars are doomed with CV’s.... 🤷♂️
grant - not all trucks have CVs some have two solid axles with a universal joint!
Landcruiser Troopy, touring and Mods. Yes, That is why they are always breaking on front wheel drive race cars! That is one part you can only make so strong!
All based upon time of year and location. Fifteen years in Montana and I'd engage my hubs in early November and disengage them sometime after March. Fuel mileage sucks on winterized diesel so fuel economy wasn't an issue. Now that I am in central Texas, I engage them once in awhile and run them for about a week or so just to make sure they engage and disengage. No real need for 4WD here.
if you have some vibration while hubs in lock while in two wheel drive you have a problem, there should be nil vibration, I have had cruisers for a long time and always drive in two wheel drive with the hubs in lock
Same to me...nicee
That's because your cruiser has a button on the dash that disengages the lock in the diff so you don't have to get out and manually do it. Call it technology. I've got a old school hillux if you don't free the hubs on bitumen road you'll definitely damage components on your front running gear usually doing sharp turns, like parking.
Awesome video strait to the point love your work
Hey great info btw even at 2023 for clueless person like me…😂 I just have one question, what if the front hub unlocked but I put Low gear into L4… will it cause any damage? I owned a Land Cruiser II 1995 LC79.
I keep my manual hubs locked full time on my Suzuki jimny as said as long as it's not in 4 wheel drive on the transfer box it won't do any damage as it's all ment to spin anyway
Yep I just did San Diego to Los Angeles USA in my 86 pickup hubs locked cos I forgot to unlock them !
Sorry, silly question time. I have a 1997 Terrano II 2.7 TDI Diesel with a manual gearbox. I've owned it for about six years now, I don't have a workshop/owners manual for car and have never used it for 4wd. The guy I bought the car from didn't know how to lock/unlock either.
It has a hub lock, do I need the car idling to lock hub for Low/High Range selection or can I lock/unlock hub whilst car is turned off. I've been chasing my tail googling for an answer and I'm just not getting anywhere. Thanking you in advance P.T.
Hub locks (on the wheels) can be locked or unlocked any time.
The 4WD and low range selection lever can also be moved weather the car is running or not but you sometimes need to reverse slightly to go back from 4WD to 2WD.
@@JeremyPetho Thanks heaps for the reply, much appreciated.
Really it's all what you're driving, my 1990 toyota pickup has the stock ifs front suspension set up but I have a 4 inch lift, I personally dont like the angle my CV axles are at so I dont think it would be wise to drive with my hubs locked In, being worried about my axle shafts binding up at high speed. If the truck was stock and the correct angle on the CV axles it wouldn't be a problem.
Cool truck, thank for the tip, I didn’t know dat.
Mine have been locked for years.
So informative for me I have a old school pajero
Useful 10 years old video
Thx Ronny for the info
What about upgrades to locking hubs. On my old Ford Ranger I installed Warn hubs to repair the broken factory ford hubs. Also my IH Scout II had warn also very trouble free.
How does having the hubs locked affect steering?
Still the same as diff is still open?
Thanks
Mic
It doesn't affect steering whatsoever
My partner bought me a pajero from a friend going back overseas and it is making a scraping noise and was told it was the speed cable but i found that I have 1 hub locked in but the other is in free position is it suppose to be like that.
Cheers
Leonie
Thanks for the advice big help
is it true that u can damage something if u turn the wheel (left or right) while the hub is locked ? thanks :)
+Winning Fails TV would like to know too
No you won't. Not all vehicles with part-time 4WD have locking hubs as standard, sometimes they are an option. Free-wheeling hubs are primarily a fuel saving device. Having them locked you may feel that it doesn't accelerate as easily as with them unlocked, and that there may be additional vibration through the steering, but you will not damage anything.
I should add on some vehicles (such as Series Land Rovers) you are required to lock the hubs occasionally even if you are on tarmac in 2WD, because otherwise the wheel bearings, differentials etc. aren't getting lubricated. On these vehicles it can also cause seizure of the 4WD mechanism.
after locking the hubs, is it normal to have noises when the front wheels are spinning?
Yes it is, That noise is all the parts engaging! No worries almost all make some kind of noise!
So. you can drive your 4x4 in lock position is that right. And doesn't matter how fast? Thanks
Ronny the bloody legend
Hey so i was just wondering, i was backing up with my hubs locked and 4h ingaged to get out of my muddy driveway then i got my rear tires on the road i got out and set my hubs free, i backed up about 5more feet and then drove forwards about 1/4 mile then i noticed my 4h light was on onthe dashboard, i immediatly pulled over and shifted back into 2h.. I drive a 1992 f150 5.0 and im just wondering if anyone has any info on my situation. The truck still drives but my transfer case does sound a little rough
+Dakota Mantai
If your locking hubs did actually disengage staying in 4H could not result in damage. But if they did not unlock (some times altough you unlock the hubs they can stay locked) you would put a lot of stress on your drivetrain which can result in damage. However when you drive in 4H with locked wheels on a hard surface you will feel that the car behaves differently when you take corners, a specially tight corners (shaking,tremors). I always switch to 2H because unlocking the hubs and staying in 4H has no advantage what so ever.
Althoug your question is 10Months old i hope this will ease your mind a little and that it gives you the answers you needed.
As a towtruck driver, i was wondering if it is possible to unlock the hubs, and then tow a 4WD with the rear end lifted? If the hubs are unlocked, they are not connected to the transmission, but is it safe to do it this way?
Yes that is safe to do. But if it has locking hubs it would most likely be a part time 4WD anyway so it is also safe to tow with the hubs locked as long as it is in 2WD.
What about CornHub?
Hi all.
I have a 80 series with manual locking hub on the front..
Does it mean if I lock the hub, I have engaged diff lock on the front axle?
No, locking hubs just connects the diff to the wheels. When it is unlocked the wheels spin freely and won't be driven.
So what does locking the hubs actually do - as opposed to locking the diff? I have tried to do some research for myself but I can never get a straight answer. I 'think' that it may be this: If you lock the front diff, then both halves of the front axle will turn evenly as they are both being driven and having torque applied. But if the hub is not locked then the torque is not being applied to the wheels - just to the axle(s). But when you lock the hub then the wheel is 'attached' to the torque'd axle. Is that correct? Thanks
You got it. That pretty much sums it up.
Keep 'em unlocked so you can use low range 2WD for maneuvering a heavy trailer.
what if my hub lock is integrated in to my front transfer case
Transfer cases have nothing to do with the axles. The transfer case merely transfers the engine power between the front and rear differentials. If you are in 4wd, the transfer case will turn the front drive shaft. If you are in 2wd, the front drive shaft will not turn. The real magic of 4wd occurs at the differential and axle connections. A true locker, locks the differential so that the left and right wheel are locked together and should only be used in low traction areas where you do not bind the axles. The locking hubs lock the wheels to the axles that are usually part of an open differential which allows the left and right wheels to spin independently of one another. If you are in 4wd, the front drive shaft will turn thus engaging the differential, just like the rear differential, and the front wheels will spin relative to the gear ratio in the front diff. Hopefully you followed all of that but most vehicles unless specially equipped like Rubicons, do not have true lockers on the differential, you generally have locking hubs that tye the axles to an open differential.
Hi Ronny,
Do you know if Aisin still make genuine, brand new free wheeling hubs? Thanks.
Id say they would do but might be hard to get without the Toyota packaging around it if you know what I mean.
Um, no, not really, however, I read your reply to a mate, and he told me that you're implying that, unless I buy a whole vehicle, then I'm gonna be shit outta luck, sort of thing... is that what you're meaning? Thanks.
Warn make free wheeling hubs
can i break hubs if the hubs are locked and i engaged 4hi,or 4loe and can i turn pleaseeeee answer
kalaus m I broke mine, drivers side smashed the spline inside and broke the spring but I was also pulling a 3.5t car out of the beach
To engage 4L or 4h the vehicle needs to be in Neutral or can be in park ?
Thanks
quick question. is it ok if i put on 4L to climb on normal road, but i don't lock the front hubs? sometimes the lux just dont have enough power to climb on 2H
fareisa faree yes you can it's also a good way to reverse a trailer in L2
Regear it :)
4H or 4L does nothing for your traction unless the hubs are locked in. The whole reason you have the locking hubs is to tye to wheel to the axle. If you put the vehicle in 4wd but do not lock the hubs, the front wheels will not turn with the axle. If you happen to have a locking differential, that is a completely different beast. You can easily confirm this by block the rears and jacking up the front of the vehicle. Put your vehicle in 4L or 4H but do not lock in the hubs. Now with the front wheels off the ground, turn the front wheels. Notice that the wheel is turning but the drive shaft is not moving. Now lock in the hub, You will not be able to turn the wheels because the driveline is trying to turn the transmission. You will see that the driveline is now trying to turn because you locked the hubs to the front axles and the diff. You will also notice that if you do not have a locking differential, that the front wheels turn independently just like a traditional rear diff. People often confuse Lockers, ie locking differentials, with lock outs, or locking hubs. 2 completely different beasts
to take off the front wheel do you have to remove the hubs?
No the center of the rim sits around it mate
@@Ronny_Dahl cheers for the fast reply, I'm sanding back and painting my wheels thanks for the help!
@@OnL28 A lot of newbies do that, do it wrong, and end up having their wheel fall off while driving. How was your go?
@@codemang87 I ended up getting second hand tyres and wheels off a mate and they were in good condition so I never got around to painting my old ones
Does that change if it’s got an auto lokka in it?
If you are referring to an auto locking differential, yes it is different. If you just have auto locking hubs, you still have the open differential. Some people are confusing locking hubs, ie lock outs, with locking differential, often referred to as a locker. An auto locker usually refers to a locking differential but that is not always a guarantee.
excellent. good information
if the front hubs are locked, the diff is getting wound up, four wheel drive or not.
No dipshit. Your front diff is open unless your locker is engaged
Opened with what? with a can opener?
Can't you see that IF both front shafts are turning,the front diff is *getting wound up* ?
@@josepeixoto3384 Just because it's turning it doesn't mean it's getting wound up. Nothing wrong with it turning freely.
Mate I've got a 99 Hilux 5L LN167 with front manual hub locks.
I was told to only absolutely LOCK the hubs when 4WDin/Low Range because if I had the hubs locked in 2WD in pavement it would hurt my diffs, is it true?
Also to always LOCK the hubs when in 4WD and in Low Range and to never use these two with the hubs unlocked or in pavement (of course). Is it true?
I got the Hilux fairly recently and had to get both diffs and clutch done after two weeks of having it $$$$$ so I really wanna make sure I'm doing everything right.
Thanks in advance
+Filipe Araujo (mma) in 2WD with the front hubs locked there is no way you can damage them, all it does is stir the diff oil around and makes your vehicle use a bit more fuel.
My hubs are locked 75% of the time when I drive in 2WD and if you dont 4x4 much its good to lock the front hubs in 2wd so you stir the oil around.
But DON'T use 4x4 LOW or High on the road as this will bind up your drive line.
Another tip you can unlock your front hubs in Low range 4x4 when reversing trailers this will give you 2WD low range ;)
then why have locking hubs at all ?
The most common advantages people talk about are using less fuel because everything in the front axle isn't rotating when you drive in 2WD, also less wear on axle components.
But the real advantages in my opinion are:
1. Most of the time you can keep driving if something breaks in the front axle. Even if your front diff is completely exploded and locked up you can unlock the hubs, put it in 2WD and carry on.
2. The front driveshaft does not need to rotate at high speed. This is an advantage to many cars with lifted suspension because the large driveline angle can cause vibrations and premature wear on universal joints. And if the angles of the universal joints are not matching it will also get bad vibrations at high speeds. By unlocking the hubs and putting it in 2WD the front driveshaft will no longer have to rotate when driving on the highway and it solves these problems.
Mine 1993 for. Will not run locked holy shit as soon u get in 30km. It shacks really bad but a nother shrimp on the BBQ
is this work as diff-lock
i see some car has diff-lock switch and hub lock
i tell my self why 2 diff-lock option
No it is different to a diff lock
Thanks Bud
Dec 2021 and THANK YOI
any difference for ifs for this?
fuckingkidsthesedays Shouldn't be any different for IFS I would have thought. I've only ever owned part-time 4WDs and all of them have had manual hubs, however some were IFS and my latest is a solid axle rig. Still behave the same way when it comes to hub lock, etc.
fuckingkidsthesedays as Harman Motor Works said
Why are Aussie Toyotas 5 lug not 6?
Most of the older ones are 6 stud (lug), up till the 100/105 series and some newer I believe. Very annoying when it comes to aftermarket wheels. But Toyota assure people that because the 5 studs are stronger and thicker diameter steel, there is no issue. Personally I sold my 105 cruiser and went to a Nissan patrol
Ahhh, because here in the USA All Toyotas that are 4WD are 6 lug from 1978- a brand-new 2018.. Just curious, thank you for the answer
Happy to help out and chat with a fellow 4wheeler mate, anytime. And hi from Tasmania Australia mate
Hello from Northern California Mountains U.S.A. :)
In 1999, Land Cruisers changed to 5 lug. USA Land Cruisers are 5 lug too.
It’s funny to see how he’s pointing in mid air at nothing where links should show up 😜
They only show up on computers
Wow that settles it then
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Still don’t understand the purpose of them… 🤦♂️
They disconnect the front hubs from the rest of the axle. If you have the hubs locked the front axle shafts, CV/universal joints, differential and driveshaft all get turned by the front wheels when driving even when in 2WD.
By unlocking the front hubs, all the parts will not rotate when in 2WD.
There are many advantages to this including lower fuel usage, less wear on parts, ability to keep driving if something breaks in the front axle, stops vibrations from the front driveshaft at speed, etc.
Auto hubs. Another invention for lazy people.
total hogwash, leaving them locked is a very bad idea, i'm sure you aren't a mechanic
If you're learning about hubs and diffs from youtube, you shouldn't be driving that vehicle.
Why does it matter where you learn something? If there's good information, why ignore it?