question about axles

[Bear95]

Hi folks, quick question please. Is it OK to drive with the front hubs locked, but still be running in 2x4 high? I would rather lock my hubs at the bottom of the mountain and then not have to get out and lock them when the road becomes snow covered.
Thanks,
Bear
96 5sp 4x4 manual hubs

[grats]

yes it's okay. I do this for a month in winter, so just in case I need 4wd I don't have to get out and turn the hubs, it also helps wear the front drive line in.

[jtgh]

ok, just lowers top speed,
extra friction ,
lower mPG , alot for some.
and says to run like this in the manual 1 time per month to keep all lubed.

you then spin every thing upto and including the chain. see it.?

http://carfix.stufftoread.com/tranny...-case-guts.jpg

keeps seals lubed and fresh, and stops corrosion on the seal surfaces.

its AOK.

[Bear95]

I looked in my manual and it said not to do it because it could damage the front drive train. That is why I was confused because I had seen eariler posts that said it was ok.
Bear

[the flying scotsman]

Anyone able to say how such damage occurs or what is damaged? Seem to me all locking the front hubs does is rotate the ring and pinion, the drive shaft and the low speed output shaft and drive chain, all without any load.

[Rhinoman]

Are you sure that you read that correctly? early UK models had fixed hubs.

[jtgh]

Poster 1, said North Carolina 96 year. ,manual locking hubs.
great data point, early had fixed.
closer to ww2 jeep all the way.



see here what it spins.
clear , huh?

[Bear95]

On page 2-17 of my owners manual (1/2 page) in bold print it states

Notice: Don't drive in TWO-WHEEL HIGH (2H) with the manual locking hubs in LOCK. If you do, you could damage your front driveshaft parts.

I don't have a snanner or I would scan the page.
Bear
96 Tracker 5sp

[jtgh]

96 manual.

damage.?.... well there is :
1-normal wear.
2-optional wear.
3 and damage

its like walking bare foot
"do not walk bare foot, as this cause damage".
but I do it all day on the beach ,no problem.


id say it's #2


it just spins the parts , uselessly ( sure that is extra wear, no dought)
there are no oil pumps , failing or the like in the path. (like automatic tranny has)

spinning the front cvj will not hurt them, but they will wear, spinning the ring gear, same.
one guy here said top of ring gear could rust ,just sitting in one spot. sure...
the seal landing points can rust ,seen it with my own eyes. at rear of front pinion to yoke.

course driving slow 45mph is far different then driving 80mph.

one leaves it locked in , and are driving , expecting ice, so your going slow. right?

then there is person 2 , driving 80mp in Arizona , 120F in the shade. locked up.

I'm not sure what the later action would cause.

it is called Part Time 4wd. for those reasons, and many more.

notice the old manuals never mention speed. nor at what rpm or speed to shift.

Maybe your book , forgot to say, unless you expect ICE , in the short term.
as everyone does exactly what the books says, not to do.
my book is missing that , phrase.

cheers.

PS: a lot of these books are translations from Japanese to English ,and are not well done.
some time , excess wear,becomes, damage.

really all languages are weak in that regard.

[Bear95]

The manual did not state what damages can occur , only that it could. I am not missing any pages out of mine and it was printed in the US. I don't think that excess wear is a good thing either. To be on the safe side, I will continue to stop when the road gets bad to lock my hubs.
Bear