2H Driving when you've Locked the Front Wheel Hubs

[DesertRose]

My owners manual states that i should drive 10 miles a month with the front wheeling hubs in the "locked" position to lubricate the components. I thought it was a no-bueno to drive in the locked position without being in 4H or 4L- Someone else told me never to drive it that far [10 miles] with the wheels locked- maybe a mile at most-

Any thoughts? As always, thanks in advance!!!!

 

[specialk396]

Well, first if the manual says it, it definitely shouldn't be a problem, and second, I run with my hubs locked all winter long sometimes(so I don't have to lock them if I'm on an icy hill, for example), with no ill effects. Otherwise, lock them once a moth for 10 miles doesn't sound like a bad idea, if you never use them normally.

 

[DesertRose]

Yeah i was wondering if anyone ever drove full time with the wheels locked, say if you live in the mountains during a bad winter.

You in Centreville VA? Im in FFX!!! Not many LC's on the roads of NoVa

 

[T-bones 60]

Shouldn't hurt anything. All your doing is turning axles, gears, and front driveline.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Shouldn't hurt anything. All your doing is turning axles, gears, and front driveline.

X2. You'll be fine. I used to run with my front axle hubs locked all the time.

 

[RockDoc]

I don't think you have to be as anal about it as Toyota suggests. You won't hurt anything (until you engage the front drive at the transfer case on a high-traction surface), but having the hubs locked when you don't need 4WD definitely adds drag, and makes the steering feel heavier. I think what Toyota was suggesting is that it's good for the soul to get out at least every month for some offroad fun

I only leave my hubs engaged on the trail, or when icy roads are expected on a given trip.

 

[roalco]

No worries at all about running with the hubs engaged. If your rig is in good condition you'll only lose about 1/2 or 1 mpg spinning your front diff and driveshaft. I keep them in whenever I'm expecting poor traction. Once a month for at least 10 miles keeps all the internals nice and happy.
In and out of 4wd at any speed as long as the hubs are locked and you're not turning sharply, but you really want to be stopped to shift from Hi to Low (no syncros in the TC...)!!!!

 

[digitalmo]

I have been wondering about this same thing myself as I drive daily from low to high elevation and would like to be able to shift to 4H without pulling over when I reach the snowline.

I've tried driving in 2H with the hubs locked but find there is a vibration and kind of a low hum that occurs when I do this. I do not get this when in 4H though. Any idea what the cause would be?

 

[roalco]

The transfer case is a gear drive unit, therefore there is more gear noise (whine) than in a chain drive TC, but it lasts much, much longer!
You may want to get it looked at by a good LC mechanic though, on the slim chance it is a bearing issue, you want to get it attended to ASAP... before it fails and you have to replace the whole TC.

 

[Cruiser62]

not to hijack the thread but quick question about switch from 4h to 2. when going back to 2 wheel drive, I was told that with older rigs you need to drive in reverse for a few feet to get it out of 4 and back into 2. Is this true or just a myth? I have an 89 fj62.

 

[RockDoc]

Mine come out of 4 fine without backing up. Just watch your 4WD light.

 

[Cruiser62]

ok, thanks