Type of Hub Lock Suggestions

Richard Craneum · 08-23-2009, 08:04 PM

On my son's Traker it has the manual type of hub locks. I had an 86 Suburban with locks that engaged themselves by placing the transfer case in 4x4 and drive for about 10 feet. To unlock them, you simple take it out of 4x4 and drive in Reverse for about 10 feet. There is one like it, that can be purchased ? There is one made for Trackers? Or is a proprietary lock?

Help will be appreciated

jtgh · 08-23-2009, 08:58 PM

both were sold and made.

i dont like autos. but some do.

not sure if you can buy new autos. check out warn hubs or get autos off
a wrecked kick.
there fun to clean, the autos.
when these stick in side , your stuck. (no 4wd)
stick unlocked.

is suppose of you do the 15k service on them they never fail.

shackwrrr · 08-24-2009, 01:26 AM

Ill trade you for my auto locks

MarkB.NV · 08-24-2009, 03:00 AM

If you only use 4x4 once a year in a light duty situation, auto-locking hubs are probably fine.

But for the rest of us, manual locking hubs are preferred. With good maintenance, your hubs will do exactly what you ask of them. You know for sure that these are locked - or free. No in between.

It does take a minute to step out a lock the hubs, but the definite action is easily worth the hassle.

aussievit · 08-24-2009, 06:43 AM

i have just recently welded up my front diff (95 Vitara) and fitted some AVM hubs so i can free them on the road and lock them for off road...so far they have worked great...i also agree that when there locked they are locked..no in between..!

Richard Craneum · 08-24-2009, 07:26 AM

That is the kind of input at I like to see. I guess I am keeping the manual locks then. On the Suburban, I remember the "the in between" thing.

Perhaps the extra maintenance is not worth it after all

relicduke · 08-24-2009, 11:47 AM

The trouble I had with the auto type hubs.on an S10,was the vacume lines ,the hubs would engage but you'd have to unplug the vacume line frome the acumeulater to get them to unlock

jtgh · 08-24-2009, 12:52 PM

too many fiddly parts in side.
that love to stick up.

the manuals are simple. (yes they can rust locked or open but takes gross neglect)
hark below: autos. run....

keithert · 08-24-2009, 02:45 PM

In the past I've just left the hubs locked all winter and put the truck into 4wd when needed. In non snowy months I would put them back to free wheeling. When doing this the CV joints will turn all the time but does that really hurt them? On FWD cars they turn all the time and last 100k miles normally.

Richard Craneum · 08-24-2009, 02:53 PM

On my understanding, is for fuel economy so you minimize the drag from the drivetrain and of course, wear too.