ESOF questions

mandkole · Jan 24, 2015

Need to service these hubs but its the first time since owning this truck and first time Ive been into ESOFs. Truck has 115K but the hubs are very stiff and planned to anyway, but noticed that the hubs were locked even though on 2H and auto.

I last had the hubs locked on the track late in the summer and unlocking them was almost impossibly sticky-- they never 'unlocked'. I got one side to unstick by messing with the lock, but the other is only partially coming out and you can hear the splines ratchet a little when spinning the wheel. No bueno..

ESOF function is fine, but I always lock in the hubs before engaging anyway so is it better to just go to the warns? Any other tips on servicing the ESOF? My only other experience is with the manual OBS hubs.

psduser1 · Jan 24, 2015

If your hubs are sticking, put warns on. Plug off the vacuum ports, and just use the Esof to control the transfer case. That is, unless you just love the idea of not getting out to lock/unlock the hubs.

The warns are pretty durable, and a lot cheaper than replacement stockers. If you stay stock, be sure to look over the vaccuum lines carefully for dry rot or holes.
Sounds like your hubs are shot, but if the vacuum system is failing, the hubs won't change position.

mandkole · Jan 25, 2015

Thanks-- Im going to take the stickier one off today and look around.

mandkole · Jan 25, 2015

I took them apart and there wasn't much going on. Perhaps a little dry so I lightly greased them. The dials can't be worked on much (I recall reading that somewhere) and they are the real issue. I sprayed a little silicone lube between the dial and case--it helped a little. If they continue to be an issue, they're gone..