Locking Hubs

[2003PSD]

I have manual locking hubs on my truck. Does anyone know if it alright to leave the hubs locked (just when I think I might need to use 4x4) if you dont have the 4x4 engaged. I dont always need 4x4 but if I do (driving to work during snowy conditions), I dont really want to pull over, lock the hubs, then engage.

[CLIPPERS]

I leave mine locked in most of the winter, but have always wondered if it was the right thing to do? I do unlock them though, if the roads are clear, and I am going to do alot of highway driveing.

[2003PSD]

You havent had any problems? I was just going to lock them when it was going to be bad out in case I needed them, clear days I would keep them unlocked

[puffinsmoke99]

i keeped mine loked all winter cause the conditions can change up here in the blink oe an eye i havent had any problems

[rocknut]

You'll loose a little on MPG since you are turning the axles. There should be greese fittings on the front axle u-joints. Keep some greese in them and you should be fine. I lock mine in when it gets bad out. When the roads get clear I unlock them.

[uberlinuxgeek]

My 04 came with Auto and Manual option hubs. On bad days I look them in till the weather clears. But if a day is unpredictable I will not, because the 4x4 will lock (via vacume) them in when I turn the switch.
I have to say these have been the best hubs so far on all my trucks.
Bad thing, no greese fittings on the ujoints. So they will have a short life :-(

[eazenutz33]

i got the auto/manual hubs as well.....I've yet to get out and lock the hubs by hand, so I have no idea what difference it makes, never had a truck with manual locking hubs before. I do know that so far whenever I've had to kick it into 4-hi the truck has done anything I've asked of it, and thats not even getting into 4-lo......maybe one day I'll need to lock em in.

[rocknut]

on my 99 it had the auto locking hubs. The worked for a while then quit. I had to lock them in manualy after a couple years. on my 04 I ordered it with manual locking hubs. That way I know when they are locked in. My 04 does have greese fittings on the u-joints. Which I was happy to see. Pulling the unit bearing to change u-joints is a pain in the but. I've had to pull both sides to change the crappy ball joints. I replaced them with greesable moog joints

[Bamfster]

You will be fine leaving the hubs locked in if you think you'll need 4wd...I even run my truck periodically for a few miles throughout the summer in 4 hi to get the gear oil moving in the trans case and front diff and I've never had any problems in all of my truck's 258k miles. I lock my hubs whenever i leave a paved road in the Rocky Mntns.

[2003PSD]

weather here changes quick so I will leave them locked when its bad and unpredictable