Locking hub won't unlock

taterthedog · Oct 23, 2015

So I put on my winter tires today, and noticed my RH hub will not unlock . I've already replaced the hubs once since I had this truck, (trucks an 08, had it for maybe 4 years). Any good aftermarket replacements? Warn? These hubs are the auto/lock ones, although the auto function has only worked a few times.

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what a mess · Oct 23, 2015

u jsut put a new set of warn hubs on my truck and they look sexy not sure if they are any good tho truck needs a trans

what a mess · Oct 23, 2015

i can go see that they are called sometimes this weekeend i dont think i threw the box away

IHPowerstroke7.3 · Oct 23, 2015

taterthedog said:
So I put on my winter tires today, and noticed my RH hub will not unlock . I've already replaced the hubs once since I had this truck, (trucks an 08, had it for maybe 4 years). Any good aftermarket replacements? Warn? These hubs are the auto/lock ones, although the auto function has only worked a few times.

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The problem may not be with the hubs themselves, could also be the vacuum solenoid that controls vacuum to the hubs, the 4x4 module that controls the hubs or even wiring. Yea, there are aftermarket replacements out there, none that I am aware of that keep the auto function intact. I have a truck with shift on the fly for a reason, so I don't have to get out and lock my hubs.

taterthedog · Oct 24, 2015

It's only the right side that won't unlock. Maybe if I replace that hub the auto hubs will work again. I have had issues with that hub before. In the mean time I locked both sides in and drove to the cabin. Better to have both sides turning the same than the spider gears going crazy.

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78f100 · Oct 24, 2015

There are a few companies out there that make a factory style auto hub. Vaccume solonoid or Vaccume leak will not keep a hub locked in, it will keep auto lock from working. I have had several that wouldn't come unlocked from launching hard. I have taken a few apart but they aren't built to be serviceable, most time if you get it to unlock next time you use it its gonna stay locked again Now when i race I lock mine in manually and it seems to help them to not break. Ford ones are $pensive.

mandkole · Oct 24, 2015

Mine have been cranky. Remove the clip, pull the hub off and try cleaning it out. The factory ones at the dial get very sticky and it wont release. Once youre in there, you'll see how they work.

edit; just saw that you're talking about an 08.. not sure on those

IHPowerstroke7.3 · Oct 24, 2015

The 99-04, 05-10 and 11+ trucks all operate differently. 99-04 uses a constant vacuum system, 05-10 trucks pulse vacuum at two different levels, one to lock, one to unlock. The 11+ trucks I believe have gone back to constant vacuum, but don't quote me on that.

Try removing the three torx 27 bolts, carefully try to remove the hub (only plastic). Try to actuate the hub from auto to lock and see if it physically moves the sleeve (splined portion)

taterthedog · Oct 24, 2015

I had the hub off. I was in a bit of a hurry, but I could make it unlock by pushing in the center on the axle side. But it wouldn't stay released. Looks like some little plastic pieces (

) were damaged. I'll take a closer look next week when I have time.

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KTM300 · Dec 31, 2015

78f100 said:
There are a few companies out there that make a factory style auto hub. Vaccume solonoid or Vaccume leak will not keep a hub locked in, it will keep auto lock from working. I have had several that wouldn't come unlocked from launching hard. I have taken a few apart but they aren't built to be serviceable, most time if you get it to unlock next time you use it its gonna stay locked again Now when i race I lock mine in manually and it seems to help them to not break. Ford ones are $pensive.

Which companies maintain the auto function? I have been looking at the Warn 95070, but they appear to be manual.

The problem with mine is that when it gets really cold (<10 degrees) they don't always engage and the one is so hard to turn to lock it that you have to use pliers. I am guessing it just needs cleaned. Do the factory hubs run dry or do you add some grease after you clean them?

sootie · Jan 5, 2016

KTM300 said:
Which companies maintain the auto function? I have been looking at the Warn 95070, but they appear to be manual.

The problem with mine is that when it gets really cold (<10 degrees) they don't always engage and the one is so hard to turn to lock it that you have to use pliers. I am guessing it just needs cleaned. Do the factory hubs run dry or do you add some grease after you clean them?

it is corrosion making it stiff. once that starts, there is no beating it.

Zmann · Jan 5, 2016

KTM300 said:
Which companies maintain the auto function? I have been looking at the Warn 95070, but they appear to be manual.

curious as well
I think He is mistaken there are no PVH hub choices other than the OEM Warn PVH replacement that I have seen

heck Warn makes the only manual option I have seen also

dsberman94 · Jan 5, 2016

Mile marker makes a manual option for at least the 2000-04 years. Not sure on other years.

Zmann · Jan 5, 2016

manuals for 04 under are all day long easy to find
but not PVH ( AUTO) like he was asking about IMO

78f100 · Jan 9, 2016

I may be mistaken, i just searched it and didnt come up with anything.I know dorman makes the early ones like 04s have. How good they are I'm not sure but I have had several customers choose them because of price and haven't had a issue with them yet. I will have to look into the others, I am almost positive I have got them outside of ford. I wI'll check when I'm back at the shop.

78f100 · Jan 9, 2016

Ok I was curious so just got off the phone with my parts guy. Dorman makes a manual only, part# 600-206. He is looking for another choice for auto locks, but as of now I was wrong...:fustrate:
If there is one out there he will find it and I will share.

co04cobra · Jan 9, 2016

Don't waste your time or money putting back in a PVH. You can NOT keep that system working long term.

If you're dead set on keeping that option, buy stock in whatever hub company you choose, then buy a dozen sets so you can swap them out every year to try and keep it working.

This goes for all years 99 up. Don't forget to buy extra vacuum lines and pumps too so you can waste more time and money making sure everything is sealed up nice before it gets to the POS hub setup...

That will at least save you some time trying to guess what the problem is next year when the PVH fail...again....