Manual (Free-Running) Hubs

Figure 9:

Figure 10:

The free-running hub shown in Figure 9 is a recent manual design used on Ranger, Bronco II, and Explorer. A detail of the locking mechanism is shown in Figure 10.

Lock Position

When the driver decides that 4WD may be needed, the driver (or a passenger) must get out and turn the locking knob on each front hub so that the pointer following the word "Ford" on the center bar points to the word LOCK (Figure 10).

Turning the knob activates a cam that compresses pressure spring # 1 (Figure 9). This spring pressure forces the inner clutch ring, which is attached (splined) to the wheel, over the axle shaft sleeve and ring on the axle. At the same time, spring # 2 is compressed and remains that way as long as the hub is locked.

Figure 10 shows the actual change in the position of the components from free to locked. If the gear teeth are not quite lined up (butted), the inner clutch ring teeth may not always engage at first when the knob is turned to lock. However, a slight rotation of the wheel, either forward or rearward, will allow the inner clutch ring and the axle shaft sleeve ring to mate once they are properly aligned. This locking movement occurs because pressure spring # 1 is under compression and is exerting force against the inner clutch ring.

Free-Running Position

When 4WD will not be needed again, the driver (or a passenger) gets out and disengages the front hubs by turning the knob on each one until the pointer points to the word "Free" (Figure 10).


NOTE: (IMPORTANT) THE TRANSFER CASE MUST BE SHIFTED INTO 2WD POSITION BEFORE UNLOCKING THE FRONT HUBS! THIS ACTION REDUCES DRIVELINE WINDUP, A SUBJECT WE WILL DISCUSS IN DETAIL FURTHER ON.

Shifting the transfer case out of 4WD takes pressure off the front hubs and makes the locking knob easier to turn. When the knob has been turned to the free position, the pressure on spring # 1 is released. However, spring # 2 is still under pressure and this pressure moves the inner clutch ring so that it disengages from the axle sleeve ring. If disengagement doesn't immediately occur, a slight movement of the vehicle forward or rearward will usually cause it to disengage.