I like my auto hubs!!!!

[votedave]

Hey yall,

I just have a quick question about auto hubs. I (like everyone else) know that the auto locking hubs aren't the strongest in the would. But (while they are working) I realy like them and how they work. Living in the mountains, it is sooooooo nice to be driving a different elevations and chang the push button 4X4 when needed. But, like I have read a million times they aren't very strong, they WILL give me problems, and they are a pain in the ass. My question is...are there any alternatives to the auto locking hubs? I have been around Broncos that have the manual hubs and they:roll: work great as long as you can find a spot on the side of the road to stop and switch them in and out of gear. But are there any options besides the WARN manual hubs that are suited for the Explorer and are more truble free than the factory ford ones?

 

[unclemeat]

Manual locking hubs can be engaged or disengaged whenever necessary. When the weather is bad the hubs can be engaged and four wheeldrive can be used on demand. They must be maintained by occasional lubrication.

The reason you like the auto hubs is because they have not failed on you and left you stranded.

 

[DeRocha]

Manual locking hubs can be engaged or disengaged whenever necessary. When the weather is bad the hubs can be engaged and four wheeldrive can be used on demand. They must be maintained by occasional lubrication.

The reason you like the auto hubs is because they have not failed on you and left you stranded.

100% agree with unclemeat Autohubs are fine provided you take care of them and stay on-road or easy trails.. As such If you stay mostly on-road then keep the autos.. If they break while on road you will just loose 4x4 and chances are you won't get stranded (ie limp home in 2wd). But if you are serious about going off-road or want piece of mind auto hubs are a weak link and everyone who wheels knows this. The stress on hubs when off-road is much greater than on-road and thus much more likely to stress an autohub into committing trail suicide by grenading itself.

Having said that I (ashamed to admit) am still running auto hubs in my lifted explorer which I wheel. I keep waiting for them to break, but so far they have held up just fine. I do take care of them with regular maintenance and always carry a set of warn manuals as spares when I wheel.

As for Manual choices you can go with Warn or Mile Marker, with Warn being the most popular choice. When switching from autos to manuals you will need a spindle nut conversion kit. Ebay has some great buys on manual hubs.

 

[Jason94sport]

I like mine too. Had 2 X's with auto hubs & they have worked fine for me.