I have a 1989 Ford F-150 with Dana 44 and after a brake shop replaced a brake rotor ( he had to remove locking hubs and reassemble ) the dang thing wont lock up again. I was out of town 500 miles away when the rotor was placed or I would dang sure try to get them to fix it. None of the 4x4 shops know anything about auto locking hubs... all they know is to sell manual replacements and install. hell, I like the autos as I am not serious off roader in my work truck and it is damn convenient not to have to get out in the mud and twist em. Who made the auto locking hubs for ford ? Who or where can I get info on how they work how to diagnose problem etc. ? All Ford wants to do is sell me new locking hubs for big bucks. Shoot they are nearly virgin as I almost never have done any 4x4 action in my work truck. They CANNOT be worn out. Any suggestions ? One guy said to swap internal lock mechanisms right to left side and see if trouble follows .... With open differential, when one side does not lock up neither one will get traction as the side that dont lock up has the spinning halfshaft and gets all the power without putting any to the ground Thanks Scott in Atlanta

I worked in the parts department for 15 plus years at the local ford dealership and very rarely was able to get any parts for the auto hubs. Most generally, customers just replaced the hubs with new ones, and most of them changed to manuals. Since you say that you have "almost never have done any 4X4 action", you should have no concern about switching to manual hubs and having to get out on that rare occasion to lock them in. We always used hubs by Warn to switch to the manuals and always had good luck with them. Manuals have less problems also. scottperkinsusa

Thanks Bob- I have only two problems with your advice. Why should I spend any money at all when I know the auto locking hubs are nearly new and it is an installation/assembly problem.... And although I use them infrequently, when I need em it is very nasty outside and I am in a working mode not a sporting mode. I'd dont want to have to get out and twist those hubs. I got the manuals on my sport vehicle and know all about em. I am just so surprised that no one seems to know anything about auto locking hubs and whenever there is a problem they take the easy way out and replace them with the manuals. (costly) I doubt if Ford makes them so who the heck makes them for Ford ? ? ? They ought to have some info. In ten years I never had a problem with the auto locking hubs and I am spoiled with the convenience. Why else would they come as std equipment if there was not a market for them? Scott //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

What about just going to a junkyard, or a like "you pull it" junk yard?? I had to replace my hubs on my 91 explorer. I love the manuals over the autos. They dont wear down the front of your diffrential as much and YOU know they are in. I have manuals on my 94 f 150. and I use them frequently. not offroading, just where i find my rear end getting into. butit cost me $200 to replace them, my dad and i did replaced them. they werent to hard to replace just messy with all the greasy. you do need some sort of speacial tool though. But I prefer the manuals. Look at a dodge ram when it goes down the road and check out the front differential turn when doing 70mph in normals nice conditions. thats good gas money right there. so i like manuals. Anyhow good luck bud!!!!!! All i know is ford wanted like $600 for the hubs, i told them to go $%&! off!!! AND YES I DID TELL THEM THAT!!!! :) lata dude

Phillip- I dont quite understand. What do you mean by "wear down the front differential?" If I haven't shifted into 4wh in the transfer case, the front diff isnt turning. I know there are some full time 4 wh drive these days and it does seem to be quite a waste. I guess you are saying Dodge rams are full time. I agree- not for me. Yea, I am just waiting for monday to visit a junk yard but truthfully, I know there is nothing wrong with my hubs except for some misplaced spring or washer etc. oe whatever the brake shop could mess up when replacing rotor.

I woud go back to the brake shop and tell them!! Let them battle it out. Just say it worked fine till they took grasp at your brakes!!!! The hubs may be on incorrectly too! Some trucks are full time with the push of a button. But anyhow good luck!!

I was out of town 500 miles away on job at the time. Not so easy to yell at them. Scott