Question On Checking Hubs

[Drg racr]

On this parts truck, I noticed that when I spin the front axle by hand, only the left hub engages. The right side does not turn. Is this normal? Aren't both sides supposed to lock up? I know in rear diffs, one side locks up, and the other side freewheels unless you have a limited slip unit.

 

[pugsy]

Easy way to check is jack up one front end. Turn the front driveshaft (not the front axel) and see if the hub on the wheel that's off the ground catches and starts to turn the wheel. If it doesn't (ie. the front axel spins but the tire doesn't) the hub is gone. Do the same for the other side, jack up the other side and put the other front tire back on the ground. FYI...the front diff is an open diff, and for some reason, there's less resistance to turn the drivers side axel, then the passenger side, that's why you can't do this with both front tires off the ground - cause only the drivers side front axel will rotate. I guess it's the path of least resistance.

 

[Drg racr]

Cool, thanks. Amazingly enough, I think this parts truck has some decent hubs on it. I still might buy some manual hubs for my driver.