Automatic Locking Hubs

NOTE: While the vehicle is hoisted, shift into 4-wheel drive from a dead stop and not while rear wheels are rotating in order to avoid slamming the hub locks into the lock position.

1. Raise vehicle on a hoist so that all wheels are off the ground.
2. Start engine with vehicle in neutral and transfer case in 2-wheel drive. Front wheels should spin freely by hand.
3. Put transfer case in 4WD and put vehicle in gear. Front and rear wheels should rotate together.
4. Put vehicle in neutral and spin front wheels by hand in the forward direction. The front axles or front driveshaft or both should rotate with the wheels. The additional load of the drivetrain components should be felt once the hub has been engaged.
5. To disengage the hubs, spin the wheels in the opposite direction until an audible click is heard.
6. Spin wheels forward again. They should rotate freely without the axle and driveshaft rotating.
7. Repeat the procedure, only shift into 4-wheel drive and put the vehicle in reverse. This time the hubs should release when the front wheels are spun in the forward direction.