Posted by R Davis on Monday, December 11, 2000 at 08:43:53:
In Reply to: front hubs posted by Mark on Sunday, December 10, 2000 at 20:40:43:
When you say you could not see anything to engage the front drive,are you saying the end of the hub was open where you could see the spindle end and nut with the splined end of the axle shaft exposed? Stock equip. was an end cap with splines inside that bolted on the end of the hub permanently engaging the front axle drive line which would cause the axle shaft,ring&pinion gear, and front drive shaft to rotate when moving even with the transfer case disengaged.If your end cap or flange does not have anything that looks like it turns or moves,it is most likely a stock flange.The axle shafts only rest on bronze bushings which will wearout much quicker if allowed to turn constantly when driving down the road.Lockouts are a good thing for saving wear on the front drive line and you will get better fuel economy.The draw back is that you will have to get out in the cold and wet mud to engage your front wheels,a small price to pay.