Drivers side Vacuum hub permanently locked?

Hi all,

Whilst working under my car I noticed that the drivers side front hub was still locked even though it was in 2H ( turning the right front wheel was turning the prop shaft.).

I switched to 4H and the left hub locked and with all other wheels on the floor except the drivers side, it would now not turn at all, as you would expect. However on switching back to 2H the drivers side hub would not unlock thus turning the prop again.

I removed the driver side hub, and manually unlocked it, however as I refitted it, it locked again. I tried this a number of times and it still locks of its own accord.

This is probably the reason for my poor fuel consumption.

Why could this be happening?

You can check if you do not have a hose connection blocked

You sure that both aren't locking?

With both front wheels on the floor try turning the front propshaft, it should revolve freely in 2wd.

Anyway, as Laminak says check for blockages. Remove the black autohub, then remove the rubber pipes from the swivel housing one at a time. You should be able to blow through the rubber pipe and air comes out of the little filter on the solenoid valve below the battery (with ignition off) , and blow into the steel stub pipe on the swivel housing and hear air come out inside the hub(only with hub removed).

The left hub locks and unlocks but the right one stays locked and even locks itself if I manually unlock it and replace the hub.

The prop wont turn when both wheels are on the floor & in 2H but will once I remove the right hub.

Mala43B wrote: The prop wont turn when both wheels are on the floor & in 2H but will once I remove the right hub.

Both hubs are locked, not just one

(the same thing will happen if you remove the left hub)

Most likely you have a fault with the vacuum system.

When I select 4H the 4WD light on the dash comes on although does not flash.

I know for sure the left hub locks and unlocks OK but the right one will not unlock.

I can hear a hissing noise when I remove the right hub (still in 2H) so as soon as I replace the hub, it locks even though I have not selected 4H.

Mala43B wrote: When I select 4H the 4WD light on the dash comes on although does not flash.

I know for sure the left hub locks and unlocks OK but the right one will not unlock.

I can hear a hissing noise when I remove the right hub (still in 2H) so as soon as I replace the hub, it locks even though I have not selected 4H.

that may mean the control valve in the engine is letting some vacuum through take both the pipes off on the drivers side front trailing arm and see what the hubs do then thay should both relese then start the car leave in 2h and put your finger over the pipes that go to the car body not the axle and see if it suckes on your finger a little if so the valve is f*~ked and letting vacuum through then such on the pipes on the axle and see if you can get the hubs to lock whilst jacked up turn the prop then both front wheels should turn ethe back or forward

facade wrote:
Most likely you have a fault with the vacuum system.

Sounds as though the "lock" vacuum solenoid is leaking/stuck.

With the engine running in 2wd try disconnecting the rubber pipes at the swivel housing one at a time, and see if they are sucking. They should not be. I bet one is and it keeps applying the hubs.