Locking Hubs (1 Viewer)

[Doc]

I just got my 1987 fj60 owners manual the other day. I was reading through it and it says to lock your hubs at least once a month to keep them lubed up.

I know I don't understand the intracacies of 4x4's, but won't locking the hubs lock the two front wheels together? And, if it doesn't lock the two front wheels together, why not run around with your hubs locked all the time? That way when you need 4x4 you can just throw it in 4h and go!

Anyway, I locked 'em this morning for the commute. Definately didn't feel like the wheels were locked to each other, ie no squeeling around corners.

So, what does 'locking the hubs' actually do, if not 'lock' the hubs?

Oh, and are factory hubs Asains (sp?) because that's what my hubs have on them. I thought I might have read someplace that those are aftermarket hubs...?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Locking the hubs locks the hub to the axle, nothing more. The differential still works as a differential and allows the axles to spin at different speeds. By locking the hubs, you assure that all the internal components get a fresh bath in the lube. I have seen a front diff that was contaminated with water, and because the owner never did what you did, the very bottom of the differential carrier was rusty from sitting in the water at the bottom of the diff, probably for years.

 

[Doc]

Ok, so why not leave my hubs in the locked position all the time then?

 

[Mike S]

Leaving the hubs locked adds a load for the engine to work against. It will affect mileage. The locking hub is a refinement that was created to reduce the load and wear and tear on the front diff. A lot of older 4X4's didn't have locking hubs from the factory, but owners added Warn hubs, so the factory started to offer them as standard.

Mike S

 

[Doc]

Oh, okay. So, leaving them locked won't tear up my bearings or differentials or anything else? Just reduce milage?

I doubt mine have been locked up in a LONG time, I just might run them locked for a couple of days to re-lube everything up.

What about 4x4 mode then- should I engage that every couple of months too? Or is that turning and oiling up anyway? I ran through all the 'gears' last night and the 4x4 functions seem to be working.

I'm still finding out all the little 'bugs' of this particular machine. Making a list of things to do as I have cash to complete them. It'll never be a show truck- way too much rust, but I want it to be a reliable DD. It's been serving DD status since I bought it two weeks ago, but soon it'll be a mostly winter and beater car, the Honda will come out for the summer again.

I've already decided it needs a proper aftermarket tach and a full tune, axel job included. Fuel gauge doesn't read, but I think it's the tank unit, not the gauge. No radio, power antenna doesn't go up and down anymore, but the motor turns. Seats need to be replaced or rebuilt. New pedal covers as the OE covers are worn away. Horn doesn't blow, etc.....

 

[Landpimp]

funny thing is, my 82 fj40 came with drive plates(fixed hubs) and was like that still when I got it at 135k......tore into the front end........tube seals still good ect. But I added a set of Aisin locking hubs.........guess what my mpg didn't change at all. I leave my hubs locked all winter long in my cruisers.

 

[Doc]

[quote author=Landpimp link=board=29;threadid=16205;start=msg155415#msg155415 date=1084385350]
. But I added a set of Aisin locking hubs.........guess what my mpg didn't change at all. [/quote]

That's what I have, AISIN hubs. Those are aftermarket then? Good quality or no?

Just so I don't misunderstand and break my beater- you are saying to LEAVE them locked year round?

I was thinking of doing what you suggested for the winter- leave them locked so I can be in and out of 4x4 when I need to. But, if I can leave them locked year round, why not do that too?

 

[Landpimp]

Aisins are the stock hubs, prolly the best hub made, they were stock on fj60/2.

you can leave them locked year around, yes there "can/should" be more wear with them locked but as in my example of my fj40......I found no real wear or decrese in MPG.

and yes I lock mine in the winter, but summer/fall/spring I leave them unlocked(but lock them every month or so)

so yeah you can leave them locked year around but there is no real benifit unless you off road alot. And yes with them locked you can shift into 4 high on the fly, but not low range.

[quote author=Doc link=board=29;threadid=16205;start=msg155464#msg155464 date=1084390281]
That's what I have, AISIN hubs. Those are aftermarket then? Good quality or no?

Just so I don't misunderstand and break my beater- you are saying to LEAVE them locked year round?

I was thinking of doing what you suggested for the winter- leave them locked so I can be in and out of 4x4 when I need to. But, if I can leave them locked year round, why not do that too?
[/quote]

 

[lowtideride]

i thought aisin were stock... and i just made sure i hit the trails at least once a month...and during the winter i unlocked for highway use...just a guess but i prob put a lot more miles on my 60 than pimp did with his..so i unlocked when it stopped snowing for more than 4 seconds (on the highway)

 

[lowtideride]

pimp ya posted up while i was typin that.....beat me to the punch

 

[GregFrench]

I had the same thing on my 89 pu. I left them locked all winter, and engaged 4wd when it got nasty. Didn't break anything.

 

[Overlord]

[quote author=Landpimp link=board=29;threadid=16205;start=msg155471#msg155471 date=1084390741]

you can leave them locked year around, yes there "can/should" be more wear with them locked but as in my example of my fj40......I found no real wear or decrese in MPG.

[/quote]

Really? I found a difference of 2-3 mpg gallon between last winter and now. My hubs wear locked in from Nov to April. I was getting about 8 mpg all winter, now I'm getting around 10-11. Not much, but with these fuel prices, every pit helps.

 

[Landpimp]

I have found most if not all my Cruiser get worse milage in the winter then in the summer, hubs locked or not. Don't know if its the winter gas or what?

I might have gotten 1mpg better on my 82 when I took the driveplates off and went to locking Aisins.

[quote author=Overlord link=board=29;threadid=16205;start=msg165482#msg165482 date=1085751157]
Really? I found a difference of 2-3 mpg gallon between last winter and now. My hubs wear locked in from Nov to April. I was getting about 8 mpg all winter, now I'm getting around 10-11. Not much, but with these fuel prices, every pit helps.
[/quote]

 

[jhstatts]

Thanks to this info I locked my hubs when i went out for lunch. How long should I drive with them locked for good lubrication?

 

[fsusteve]

10 miles is usually adequate.

Doc-You can engage the 4wd as long as you have some slippage available, like rain, snow, sand, etc. If you run 4wd on dry pavement you will get binding at the very least and damage to the t-case at worst.

 

[jhstatts]

Thanks!

 

[HZJ60 Guy]

I think that it's a good idea. Turning them in causes the oil in the axle to make like disco boogie and lube everything up.


TB