Auto Hubs

hawk2100n · Sep 22, 2004

i was just wondering how my auto hubs engage and dis engage automatically? they work good but is there some sort of vacuum or electronic connection or do they just engage mechanically when the front drivetrain is engaged? thanks

Seabronc · Sep 22, 2004

they engage mechanically when the drive train is engaged. That is why you are supposed to drive atleast 10 ft in reverse to disengage them.

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Seabronc · Sep 22, 2004

They engage mechanically when the front drive train is engaged. That is why you are supposed to drive atleast 10 ft in reverse to disengage them after going back to 2WD.

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BLADE262US · Sep 22, 2004

LOL they dont work thats why everybody puts manuals on the trucks

hawk2100n · Sep 22, 2004

thanks, i knew how to disengage them. i can understand why people go with locking hubs because the auto hubs can engage a little late and make a nasty jerk. im shure this can cause them to break, but as it is, i like not getting out of my truck to go 4 wheelin.

bluesman17 · Sep 23, 2004

I second that

Broncoscare · Sep 23, 2004

What kind of costs are you looking at when converting to locking hubs from push button? I want to change mine but I am not to sure about how much its gonna set me back.

Windchaser · Sep 23, 2004

I'll third that and LMAO @ Blade.
Oh, and not sure how much that would run you as I am wondering the same thing...I want to go to manuels also, but I think that you can keep the push button with manuels...or I could be wrong and just sounded like a total fool... :-B

Iamnottelling · Sep 23, 2004

You can run manual hubs with the push button. The push button just electronically moves the same type linkage that would be in a shift on the floor 4-wheel drive. I run the manual hubs and the pushbutton. The Ward Premium hubs cost me like $85 from murrays auto (don't have to pay shipping just tax and they are pretty quick about getting them).

Windchaser · Sep 23, 2004

So you get the hubs and just slap em on? Or is it pretty involved...and is that 85 per hub? :-B

mcsd1544 · Sep 23, 2004

I just replaced my autos with manuals on my 95. I spent $130 at 4 Wheel Parts Warehouse. It took about an hour and a half with the first hour going only on the first side after that the second one was cake. Cost was up because I had to buy the conversion kit.

BLADE262US · Sep 23, 2004

You can use manual hubs with push button Tcase but you really should change the spindle nuts . I have checked on that so called conversion kit for doing this and all it is is the 2 axle nuts and the washer and around here because its called a conversion kit they want $50 for it . NO WAY , You can use the axle nuts off about any dana 44 that you have lying around and it will be wayyyyyy cheaper . The reason for changing the nuts is the way the keeper works . I did this on my 95 F150 . The autohub actually holds a little metal pin in place and if you just put manuals on it there is room for the pin to come out causeing the nuts to back off and potentially loose the whole wheel . If your looking for the nuts even that nasty C word stuff will fit it .

Streetgang44 · Sep 24, 2004

The washer with the pin fits into another locking ring with holes in it....THEN another nut goes over that. This last nut is the one that should be torqued to about 150 ft/lbs.....there is NO WAY your wheel will come off if you do the job correctly. The only time you need the conversion kit is if your outer hub cover...you know the one that has the 4X4 logo on it has 3 torx fastners.....if you have the hub covers with the 5 torx fasteners then you DO NOT need the conversion kit.

Also the manual locking hubs are much stronger, but a bit less convenient than the autos. What I do is this.....if I even think I will be using the 4WD I will keep the hubs in the locked position, and just engage and disengage the T-case via the dash switch as needed. You WILL NOT do any damage driving around with the hubs locked while in 2WD....even on dry or hard surface.....you will get about 2MPG less.
Oh....and the dash switch works just fine with the manual hubs.
Switching to real locking manual hubs like Warn Premiums or Mile Markers is one of the best moves you can make if you use your Bronco in 4WD at all.

Also.....you do need to drive about a mile or so every month in 4WD just to keep everything lubed up in the hubs.....this goes for auto or manual.

Ktomek06 · Sep 24, 2004

I like my auto's never have given me a problem...but as soon as they go out i will get manuals they are cheaper and dont let water in as easy..so they say..but i really like the convinience of not having to get out