Hubs, Locked or Free?

[warcat]

Does running with the hubs locked all the time cause any damage to anything? I've been told that it doesn't matter if they're free or locked, as long as the 4 wheel drive isn't engaged.

My reason for asking is because I now have a leaky transfer case, and was wondering if this somehow caused it.

 

[gmc4cw]

running around with the hubs locked is going to wear out all the u-joints in the front axle shafts and drive shaft faster. If the seal on the front output of your t-case is leaking you may have worn it out by driving all the time with you hubs locked.

Your carrier bearings are doing unnecessary work also, along with the ring and pinion and spider gears. basically everything in the front end is moving when it doesn't have to.

 

[Bow-Tie-Boy]

running around with the hubs locked is going to wear out all the u-joints in the front axle shafts and drive shaft faster. If the seal on the front output of your t-case is leaking you may have worn it out by driving all the time with you hubs locked.

Your carrier bearings are doing unnecessary work also, along with the ring and pinion and spider gears. basically everything in the front end is moving when it doesn't have to.

x2. There is also a lot of drag created from having to turn the front end all the time that wastes gas and slows your rig down. It will feel like a "race truck" when you drive it with them unlocked for the first time.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Blazers were initially full time trucks.

With the hubs locked, you are spinning everything, including the x-fer case. Best choice, unlocked, less wear and tear, better mileage.

People that run with locked hubs are usually doing it for specific reasons like snow, old farm roads, trails etc where they may need to lock into 4x4 on the fly. There is no reason to run with hubs locked while traveling as a DD on pavement.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

It's common practice in the snowy parts of the world to drive around all winter with them locked in and the t-case in 2wd. Been doing it for years on various different vehicles with no issues. Lock them in November at first snow and unlock them in April or so when the snow is gone for good. Saves you the trouble of having to get out and lock them in...particularily on those times when there's feet of snow, it's coming down fast, and the roads are so slick you can barely walk let alone get traction.

 

[PsRumors]

My dad is crazy when it comes to all this. He INSISTS on hubs but runs them locked 100% of the time.

Now I agree with the drag and wear theory. But, my dad purchased an '83 Ford Ranger new in '83. As far as we all know they were never unlocked. My brother wrecked it in '97. We never had a problem with leaks, wear or anything. Dear ol Dad now has a '97 F-250. Hubs got locked and haven't been unlocked. Again no problems.

This is probably a YMMV sitiuation. I'll lock and un-lock. Less rotating 100% of the time has to be better.

 

[454k30]

If they were ment to be locked all the time factory trucks would've come with drive flanges. Some did.