front wheel keeps locking up

[Crumbo]

Well I was on my way down the highway, when suddenly the front right wheel locked up and stopped turning (thankfully I'm in Alaska so I just kinda slid off the road) so I got out and locked the hub in(for 4x4) and it still happened, just not as bad, any ideas on what it could be?

 

[Anime]

Could be a hub issue, either it just locked up and got stuck, or it could be something else, like a wheel bearing that broke apart inside the hub, or even a stuck brake caliper or damaged brake rotor.

If locking/unlocking the hub affects it, then it's likely the hub. Take them off and either clean them up, take them apart and rebuild them, or just get a new pair.

 

[Crumbo]

Thanks, I'll have to look into that, would that also have to do with the fact that when they are locked in, I can feel the (I guess axle shafts?) turn, almost like a grinding?

 

[Anime]

It might. The axle shafts and the u-joints in them might be very rusty, and so they are binding when you lock the hubs and everything tries to turn. The hubs might be busted just so they sort of still lock in and let the shafts turn them.

If you've been driving in 4WD with the hubs locked on pavement or hard surfaces, you might just have busted the hubs that way, the 4WD drivetrain isn't made to function on hard surfaces or pavement, it will "wind up" and eventually break if used that way. 4WD should only be used on loose surfaces (dirt, snow, rocks, sand, etc.) where you need the extra traction.

Best bet is take the hubs off and check them out, and take a look at the front drive axles and see how rusty and crusty the joints and everything else looks.