Hey guys,

I have a '92 auto Geo Tracker 4x4. I recently ahd the front manual locking hubs re and re'd.

I was wondering though, if I left the truck in 2H, and had the hubs locked will this damage anything? Am I potentially damaging the diff.?

Currently I have no choice but to leave the front hubs on lock, because the driver side after we took it apart and lubed it up, it continued to lock, and not  open. The passenger side was no prob. so I decided just leave it on 4x4 all the time.

It's winter here in Canada so it's no biggie, but I would like to have the option of moving between the 2.

Thanks,
Tarcy

When you lock the front hubs you are locking the wheel to the front CV joints.  When they are locked the CV's and front driveshaft will spin whenever the wheels are in motion.  The only drawback to this is the extra wear they receive as opposed to if the hubs were unlocked.  When you put the transfer case into 4WD the transmission directs engine power to the front wheels if the hubs are locked.  I've talked to people who never unlock their hubs and to people who say they should be locked only when you intend to use 4WD.  Personally I leave them unlocked most of the time.  In the winter I sometimes leave them locked if snow is a possibility.

When you lock the front hubs you are locking the wheel to the front CV joints.  When they are locked the CV's and front driveshaft will spin whenever the wheels are in motion.  The only drawback to this is the extra wear they receive as opposed to if the hubs were unlocked.  When you put the transfer case into 4WD the transmission directs engine power to the front wheels if the hubs are locked.  I've talked to people who never unlock their hubs and to people who say they should be locked only when you intend to use 4WD.  Personally I leave them unlocked most of the time.  In the winter I sometimes leave them locked if snow is a possibility.

That's awesome man. I understand it a lot better now.

Currently I have the front hubs locked, and the transfer case in 4WD. Were getting a massive snowfall so it will be nice for the next few days.

Although idealy I would like to unlock the front hubs when the roads clear etc. to avoid unecessary wear, like you said.

My only problem right now is that when we were cleaning the hubs last night the driver side didn't want free up or unlock, wether we put the hub in the "free" or "lock" position. Im thinking a new hub is needed for that side. When we tokk the other side off it was 10x easier to move and clean. makes me think it may have been changed at some point by a previous owner.

Would you know what a hub may go for, new at the dealer? probably expensive?

 In the winter I sometimes leave them locked if snow is a possibility.

What would be the advantage of leaving them locked but not in 4WD ? There's no traction on the wheels from the tranfer case, so it doesn't really seem useful ?

You have shift on the fly.  It works for Sami's also!

Cwkick

Currently I have the front hubs locked, and the transfer case in 4WD. Were getting a massive snowfall so it will be nice for the next few days.

You should only have the transfer case in 4wd if you are driving on slippery surfaces.  http://www.4x4abc.com/jeep101/engage.html explains why better than I can.

Great read! Thanks again!


Anyone know where I can get a manual locking hub for my '92 Auto Tracker.

Thx again all.

I have one I will exchange you, I can
fix the problem with your hub and I will
send you a working one to put on so
you will have your 4WD for the snow

$15 + shipping

Let me know
Wild

Damn, that's a bargain, I paid 40 for a pair. Don't even try on eBay, you will pay more for a stock set than a set of MileMarkers or Warns would cost new. I tried eBay for a few months, seen them get well over a $100 for a set, ridiculous.

I have a pair for spares, just in case.
No reason to gouge on the price.

I have one I will exchange you, I can
fix the problem with your hub and I will
send you a working one to put on so
you will have your 4WD for the snow

$15 + shipping

Let me know
Wild

Hey Wild,

Thing is im in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Would you be willing to do this anyway? I would definately be interested. I understand if shipping costs are more.

Damn, that's a bargain, I paid 40 for a pair. Don't even try on eBay, you will pay more for a stock set than a set of MileMarkers or Warns would cost new. I tried eBay for a few months, seen them get well over a $100 for a set, ridiculous.

Are these "Milemarkers", and "Warns" easy to get? I would rather buy 2 new hubs, and be done with this little prob.

You can get them through just about any auto parts store, but then you run into the potential problem of jetisoning one at speed... You see the stock hubs use beveled compression cones on the bolts that hold the hubs on. They simply wont come loose on their own. The aftermarket hubs, however, don't have the same setup, they bolt on with regular hex bolts and I've heard several stories of them coming off the trucklet and disappearing for all time after the bolts loosen up and fall out on their own...

Stock hubs, they are better than any aftermarket
hub you can buy, I have only heard of 2 of these
stock hubs going bad or breaking, and you can't
afford these if you were to go to the dealer to get
one.

I know you are in Canada, I would just send it
USPS it's easier than UPS and it would be a "gift"
so no duties, at least on my end.

Get me your post code and I'll let you know what
shipping would, I'll send it book rate or some other
low rate shipping class.

Wild

Stock hubs, they are better than any aftermarket
hub you can buy, I have only heard of 2 of these
stock hubs going bad or breaking, and you can't
afford these if you were to go to the dealer to get
one.

I know you are in Canada, I would just send it
USPS it's easier than UPS and it would be a "gift"
so no duties, at least on my end.

Get me your post code and I'll let you know what
shipping would, I'll send it book rate or some other
low rate shipping class.

Wild

Awesome, I sent you my details in a private message.