Hubs stuck

[slowmo]

I did a little rock crawling this weekend. Actually it was the first time I took the Rover out for such activity. It is a fricken mountain goat. No doubt about that. It easily out climbs my Jeep Wrangler and gearing in low is perfect.

The hubs went from Free to Locked very easily, but now I can't unlock them. It won't be much of a job to pull them, but maybe there is a trick?

[LaneRover]

Have you tried to move it since trying to unlock them? Maybe move in reverse a bit or - if you can - rock the truck a bit as you try to do it.

[lumpydog]

Rolling the truck back/forth helps. Then retry. Also - I reach under and hand rotate the front prop shaft - that moves it enough to allow things to move.

[antichrist]

It's usually a good idea, if you can, to unlock them before you get back on hard surface, or if you can't do that, get one wheel on an unpaved shoulder.
Failing the above, make sure it's in 2WD and reverse for a few feet. Or just drive in 2WD for a while.

[lumpydog]

It's usually a good idea, if you can, to unlock them before you get back on hard surface, or if you can't do that, get one wheel on an unpaved shoulder.
Failing the above, make sure it's in 2WD and reverse for a few feet. Or just drive in 2WD for a while.

Tom:

Slowmo is talking about the freewheel hubs… vs low gear and/or locking into 4x4 by depressing the yellow lever (which I think you're referring to). The freewheel hubs can be driven around on dry pavement locked or unlocked without issue.

With my Warn M11s I find that sometimes one or the other won't turn freely. Moving the truck back/forth a bit - or giving the prop shaft a twist back/forth by hand seems to move the splines enough to let them spin freely and lock/unlock.

[slowmo]

Thanks gents. I'll report the results.

[antichrist]

Tom:

Slowmo is talking about the freewheel hubs… vs low gear and/or locking into 4x4 by depressing the yellow lever (which I think you're referring to). The freewheel hubs can be driven around on dry pavement locked or unlocked without issue. Yeah, I know, but the Warn hubs are notorious for not being able to be unlocked after some windup in the drive train. Releasing that windup is what allows you to unlock them. Turning the propshaft by hand is one way to do that, but so does backing up, or even just driving for a while in 2WD.
At least that was my experience when I had them years back. When I sold my '73 in 1978 I never used another pair of Warn. After my experience with them I used Selectro and Dualamatic.

[lumpydog]

Yeah, I know, but the Warn hubs are notorious for not being able to be unlocked after some windup in the drive train. Releasing that windup is what allows you to unlock them. Turning the propshaft by hand is one way to do that, but so does backing up, or even just driving for a while in 2WD.
At least that was my experience when I had them years back. When I sold my '73 in 1978 I never used another pair of Warn. After my experience with them I used Selectro and Dualamatic.


Ahh - understood. Sounds like we're all prescribing the same remedy.

[jac04]

I did a little rock crawling this weekend. ...

Post some pics if you get a chance. I did a little New England style rock crawling last weekend, which is very different fron the rocks out West:
Nice rocky stream crossing:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/7-19-15%2001_zps0i0lwayb.jpg

Need some Rover content, so here's my brother-in-law not quite crawling over some rocks:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/George%20liftoff%20_zpsj114qiwc.jpg

[slowmo]

I tried backing up in 2 and 4WD, tried turning the prop shaft, had a beer (thought that might help - did), put in back in 4WD popped the clutch in both directions. Nothing worked so I had to loosen the 6 bolts and then they slipped back into "Free."

I'll do some research since I don't know anything about my hubs other than how they work. I would obviously prefer that I had hubs that can be unlocked without dis-assembly.

[Contractor]

I tried backing up in 2 and 4WD, tried turning the prop shaft, had a beer (thought that might help - did), put in back in 4WD popped the clutch in both directions. Nothing worked so I had to loosen the 6 bolts and then they slipped back into "Free."

I'll do some research since I don't know anything about my hubs other than how they work. I would obviously prefer that I had hubs that can be unlocked without dis-assembly.


Check to make sure the cotter pin on the stub axle is tucked in nice and tight within the perimeter of the axle nut. If it is hanging out to far on either end it will interfere with the hub turning in either direction.

I have had that happen on several occasions.

FWIW I keep my hubs locked pretty much 100% of the time. Unlocked hubs will not allow you to have any oil splashed up onto your railco bushing. If you don't like that, at least make sure to ride around with them locked on the weekends.

[antichrist]

You might try jacking up one front wheel (with the selector in 2WD) to get all tension out of the front.
I've never seen Warn hubs give such issues unless they had internal mechanical issues.