Locking Hubs - Automatic Ford Cab & Chassis Ranger

DESCRIPTION

The hub locks on Bronco and F-150/350 4WD vehicles, either automatically or manually actuate front driving axle. When actuated, hub lock body assembly locks hub and wheel and tire assembly to front driving axle axleshaft.

When released, front driving axle axleshaft is disengaged from hub body assembly and hub and tire and wheel assembly rotate freely on spindle. Two tapered opposed roller bearings allow hub and wheel and tire assembly to rotate on spindle. A hub seal is installed behind inner bearing to prevent wheel bearing lubricant from contaminating brake caliper and rotor surfaces.

Four-Wheel Drive

Vehicle must be stopped when first shifting into 4WD. Place transmission in Neutral and transfer case selector in "4H" or "4L" position. Hub locks will automatically engage when vehicle is driven. Transfer case may then be shifted between "2H" and "4H" with vehicle moving, as long as automatic hub locks remain engaged. Hubs will remain engaged until disengage sequence is performed.

Two-Wheel Drive

Place transfer case in "2H" position. To disengage automatic hub locks, shift transmission to move vehicle in opposite direction (forward or reverse) and drive a minimum of 10 feet in a straight line.

Shift transfer case to "2H" position and turn hub lock selector knob counter clockwise to "Free" position.

Lock both hubs by turning selector knob clockwise to "Lock" position. If hub teeth do not engage with knob in this position, a slight movement of wheel in either direction will complete lock.

If vehicle is stopped, place transmission in Neutral and select transfer case shift position. If vehicle is moving, transfer case may be shifted between "2H" and "4H" only, providing that hub locks are in "Lock" position. Shifting to or from "4L" position requires that vehicle be fully stopped and transmission be in Neutral.

Note. Clashing of gears and resulting transfer case damage will occur if you attempt to shift to or from "4L" while vehicle is in motion or if you attempt to shift from "2H" to "4H" with hub locks in "Free" position while vehicle is in motion. If it is necessary to shift to or from "4L", bring vehicle to a full stop before doing so.

Bronco, F150/250

1. Raise vehicle and install safety stands. Remove hub lock assembly as outlined in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Tighten bearing inner adjusting nut to 50 ft. lbs. (68 N.m) while rotating wheel back and forth to seat bearing. Back off adjusting nut approximately 45°.
2. Assemble lock washer by turning inner lock nut to nearest hole in lock washer. To lock, install outer lock nut and tighten to 150 ft. lbs. (203 N.m). Final end play of hub on spindle should be 000-.006" (.00-.15 mm). Install automatic hubs. Remove safety stands and lower vehicle.

F250 (Heavy Duty) & F350

1. Raise and support vehicle on safety stands. Remove manual or automatic hub lock assembly. See REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Using Front Wheel Bearing Spanner (D78T-1197-A) and a torque wrench, tighten inner adjusting nut to 50 ft. lbs. (68 N.m).
2. Back-off inner adjusting nut, then retighten to 31-39 ft. lbs. (41-54 N.m). While rotating hub, back-off adjusting nut 135° to 150°. Assemble outer lock nut and new lock washer, then tighten nut to 65 ft. lbs. (88 N.m).
3. Bend 1 ear of lock washer over the inner nut and the other ear of the lock washer over the outer nut. Install a dial indicator and check hub end play. Final end play of hub on spindle should be .001-.009" (.02-.25 mm).
4. If end play is beyond limits, remove hub and bearing assembly and inspect components for excessive wear or damage. Replace hub and/or bearing assemblies as necessary, then reinstall components. Install hub lock assembly. Remove safety stands and lower vehicle.

Scheme 1

1. Raise and support vehicle. To remove locking hub assembly, first separate locking hub cap assembly from body assembly. Using Torx-R Bit (TX25), detach 5 cap screws from cap assembly, then remove locking hub cap and bearing components. CAUTION: Do not drop ball bearing, race, spring retainer or spring during disassembly.
2. Remove rubber sealing ring. Remove seal bridge retainer (small metal stamping) from spring retainer ring space. Detach lock ring retainer by closing ends with needle-nose pliers while pulling locking hub body assembly from wheel hub.
3. If wheel hub and spindle are to be removed, detach "C" washer from stub shaft groove. Remove splined spacer from shaft. Remove wheel bearing lock nuts and lock washer. Disassemble, clean and inspect locking hub assembly components. (Scheme 1): Exploded View of Automatic Locking Hub Assy.
4. Detach snap ring and flat washer from inner end of locking hub assembly. Pull hub sleeve and attached parts out of drag sleeve, then cock drag sleeve to unlock tangs of brake band. Remove drag sleeve assembly. CAUTION: DO NOT remove brake band from drag sleeve.
5. Wash drag sleeve/brake band assembly in clean solvent and thoroughly blow dry. Lubricate brake band/drag sleeve assembly with lubricant meeting specification ESL-M1C93A (Darmex Spec. DX-123-LT). Work lubricant over spring and area of drag sleeve under spring.
6. Dip locking hub body assembly (except cap assembly and brake band/drag sleeve assembly) in Dexron II ATF and permit to drip dry for a few minutes before proceeding with assembly.

Inspection

Wash locking hub cap bearing, race and retainer in clean solvent, then inspect for excessive wear or damage. Replace components as needed. Thoroughly blow dry parts with compressed air. Do not spin bearings with air or damage can result. Repack bearing with lithium grease, then properly position bearing assembly in race. (Scheme 2)

Positioning Locking Hub Cap Bearing, Race & Spring Retainer Position inner race into bearing assembly, then install bearing retainer as shown. Scheme 2

Installation

1. To install locking hub components, first assemble 1 of 2 brake band tangs on each side of outer cage (plastic), which is located in window of inner cage (steel). It is necessary to cock these parts to engage tangs in this position as the drag sleeve is positioned against cam follower face. Install washer and snap ring.
2. If removed, install wheel bearing inner adjusting nut and lock washer. Tighten outer lock nut to 150 ft. lbs. (203 N.m). Install splined spacer and "C" washer onto axle shaft. NOTE: Remove excess grease from hub lock and hub splines before installation.
3. Start locking hub assembly into hub. Ensure large tangs are lined up with lock washer and outside diameter and inside diameter splines are in line with hub and axle shaft splines.
4. Install retainer ring by closing ring ends with needle-nose pliers and, at the same time, push locking hub assembly into hub. Install seal bridge retainer (narrow end first).
5. Install rubber seal over locking hub. Install locking hub cap assembly. Ensure ball bearing, race, spring and retainer are in proper position. Tighten Torx-R bit screws to 40-50 INCH lbs. (4.5-5.6 N.m) following tightening sequence (tighten 1, skip 1, etc.) until complete.

Removal

1. To remove locking hub, first separate locking hub cap assembly from hub body assembly by removing 6 Allen head cap screws from cap assembly, then slip components apart. Detach snap ring (retainer ring) from end of axle shaft.
2. Remove lock ring (seated in groove of wheel hub). see scheme 4 Slide hub body assembly out of wheel hub. If necessary, use a puller to remove hub body assembly.

Exploded View of Manual Locking Hub Assy. Scheme 3

Note. DO NOT pack grease into locking hub cap. To much grease can cause excessive dialing effort.

To install locking hub assembly components, reverse removal procedure. Install locking hub cap assembly and tighten cap screws to 35-55 INCH lbs. (4.0-6.2 N.m).