Posted by Garret_Scott [74.248.194.225] on Monday, May 27, 2013 at 00:11:19 :
In Reply to: Re:NO front hubs posted by The Dodge Boys [64.121.152.7] on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 21:02:17 :
Thank you for posting this. I'm new to Dodges and had been wondering if there is something substandard about the Dodge front axles that required locking wheel hubs.
After nearly 35 years of older Land Rover ownership and repairs, it is absolutely clear to me that Locking Wheel Hubs are a complete waste of time and money. Not only do they not help anything, but they introduce a weak link into the driveline and they usually do much more harm than good. This is by not circulating the axle oil, plus they often throw off the whole design tolerances of the front axle system.
So what happens is that the front axle "appears" fat dumb and happy when it's not being used and is "locked out", but then when you need it you find those locking wheel hubs will let you down, either by not working right, simply breaking, or by accelerating wear and oil leakage with thier sloppy tolerances and lack of exercising of the axle system. Plus, who wants to get out and fiddle with the wheels every time they go into 4x4 mode? This in itself causes many owners to just be lazy and not lock them in when they should, thereby unecessarily stressing the rest of the drive train. If you keep them on there, and actually use your truck off-road, I bet you might be carrying a pair of vice-grips or similar gription aiding device for those hubs. Am I right???
I would never, ever put locking wheel hubs on a properly functioning front axle. I guess if you truck is just a show-truck, then ok, but still why?
Just my experience. Now ask me how I really feel.