Dot on hub doesn't match centerline?

[Badfish740]

The pic pretty much says it all. The tip of my finger indicates the position of the dot since I figured it wouldn't show up well. I turned the hubs back and forth a few times and they turn to either side of the dot, but they don't line up with the dot. Also, my driver's side hub is REALLY hard to turn. The passenger side hub isn't bad. I read somewhere in the drivetrain forums that the hubs are "righty tighty lefty loosey" so I took that to mean that if the hubs are turned as far as they can go right (clockwise) then they are locked and if they are turned as far as they can go left (counterclockwise) they are free. I'm just concerned because no matter which way I turn them they don't line up with the dot on the casting surrounding the hub. Does this mean my hubs are shot? Finally, I don't know if it matters but I have an automatic but my 4wd system is manual shift (no switch on the dash).

[mschn99]

The dots not lining up perfectly doesnt mean the hubs are not engauging....lock it into four by four on dry pavement...and try to turn sharp....if you get a bunch of axle wind-up (binding, not wanting to turn)...then the hubs are still locking in.....That said...if they are getting tough to turn, you may want to consider the warns you mentioned in your PM to me and just be done with it......and also if they dont give you that axle wind-up in a turn on dry pavement with them locked in, then you should get new ones as well...

[Badfish740]

Thanks Marc. With a little help from a patch of ice and a friend I determined that my driver's side hub is permanently locked. The passenger side works fine. I want to fix it ASAP since I'm sure having one side locked all the time isn't good, so I'm calling around to try to find a set of Warn units. In the meantime should I try to take the stuck hub apart and lubricate it/clean it up in case I can't find a set this weekend? Also, what is the difference between the premium and standard hubs besides the looks. Are the premium hubs really worth it?

[Brian]

throw a set of warn prem hubs on. if you have auto locking hubs, you lose that feature, but that will fix the problem. i installed a set on mine a while back, and they work great. real easy to replace too.
got mine at discount power parts for around 200$ i think.

the prem. hubs do not cost that much more, and i think they will last longer and are easier to turn.