How do manual locking hubs work

 · Just a basic over view. If your swapping hubs make sure you have the right hubs for your application. The process to this is complex, yet simple in explanation. When the shift lever is moved into position, the changing gear creates an inertia that "locks in" the hubs. When you "lock in" your hubs, you are connecting the two half axles to a drive plate that locks them together, making them turn as one unit. In 2WD with locking hubs disengaged rear drive shaft, rear differential and rear axle are rotating. Front tires are rolling along - only rear tires are pulling. Red lines indicate rotating parts. In 2WD with locking hubs engaged front drive shaft, front diff and front axle, rear drive shaft, rear diff and rear axle are rotating. Front tires are rolling along (since connected to the axle, they make the .

The problem isn't so much that the stock hubs fail to lock in auto. The problem is that they won't unlock and also the dial becomes impossible to turn. Since putting in the MM hubs I have a positive engagement and release that I can depend on when taking my family into nasty areas. 4x4 is no good if you can't depend on it to work. My bro-in-laws F has hubs with 2 positions, AUTO and LOCK. I wonder if in AUTO they work like our auto hubs, but in lock work like our manual hubs. Sounds like the best of both worlds. Of course I could be completely wrong about them. Yes, both hubs lock. the dash knob is just a vacuum operated way of locking the hubs to the end of the axle and also shifts the transfer case. just locking the hubs manually does not put you in 4x4 becasue it does not shift the transfer case (the magic knob on the dash does that too).

The process to this is complex, yet simple in explanation. When the shift lever is moved into position, the changing gear creates an inertia that "locks in" the hubs. When you "lock in" your hubs, you are connecting the two half axles to a drive plate that locks them together, making them turn as one unit. Just a basic over view. If your swapping hubs make sure you have the right hubs for your application. The front wheel hub lock can be either manually engaged or locked automatically by shifting the gear stick. When the hubs lock, a portion of the engine’s drive power is transferred to the front wheels, making your vehicle a part-time four-wheel drive. This is essential as not all drive terrains warrant 4X4 performance.