Hub lock

[Bosvark]

Can any one give me more info on driving with your hubs locked.It keeps the oil in the diff warm and helps for water corrotion.Does this use a bit more petrol.Is it safe to do this.I read an article that the guy done a test from joburg to cape town.He used a little bit more petrol.

[SuidWes]

Think it will be safe but it will increase your fuel consumption and over time I suppose will lead to unnecessary wear. I lock mine only when going off road and keep it locked until I get back on the tar. Think if you lock it say once a month it should keep everything lubricated and free of any corrosion.

[Niel]

Think if you lock it say once a month it should keep everything lubricated and free of any corrosion.

I rather do it weekly or bi weekly. Just an excuse to drive in the sand for a while.

[Coopraider]

Hi Lux's

For what it's worth my theory is : leave the hubs unlocked, select 4 wd and give everything a bit of a spin, splash lubricate everything and not let seals "settle" in a single position allowing diff oil to leak into the Birfield housing mixing with the grease and oozing out - making a hell of a mess.

Otherwise 4 WD every day!!!!!!!!!1

[Niel]

Coop

Otherwise 4 WD every day!!!!!!!!!1

I like your suggestion if only the every day did not dictate.

[Niel]

Spoke to a chap this week end that told me that he "always keep the hubs locked" to ensure they are well lubricated. This includes tar driving. What is your opinion?

[Cookie Monster]

Mine is in 4x4 most weekends other wize she stands during the week anyway however all you have to do is select 4H every now and then leaving the hubs unlocked this should be enough to move the oil around diff oil has a very high viscosity so once a month should be enough.

[Family_Dog]

Justin,

isn't this the other way round... stay in 2H but lock the hubs at front? No harm will be done other than a slight increase in fuel consumption. But do not mix 4H, locked front hubs & tar roads, that is a bad mixture!

-F_D

[Cookie Monster]

I agree FD thats why I said 4H with hubs unlocked

[Zantus]

Some manufacturer's manuals actually say you shouldn't drive in 4wd with the hubs unlocked, not the other way around!!!
Driving with the hubs locked is mostly for fuel consumptions purposes only. If you look at older landies and jeeps, they never had freewheel hubs. I had a S2A landy and on that I opened the front axle to check the wear on the crownwheel and there was hardly any wear. I checked with the previous owner and that axle hasn't been opened in at least 15 years. This leads me to believe that driving with the hubs locked and in 2wd drive....even for many years, will cause very little wear.

[BenHur]

You can lock either the hubs or select 4H but not both on tar.

Neil

If Toyota wanted you to drive with it on all the time they would not have installed the locking mechanism in the first place. I do believe that you need to have the diff and side shafts rotate at least once a month but 5-10kms or so is way more than adequate.

Sometimes the front diffs, front prop, and sides shafts are not balanced that perfect anymore. it would not bother if you keep below 60km/h but if you drive faster it will definitely start vibrating which will cause unnecessary wear and tear.

[Cookie Monster]

Bennie I agree