Locking Hubs

[andyman86]

Hey guys.  I've got some locking hub issues I'm hoping you can help me with.

I've got an 86 Silverado C/K 10, manual transmission, with the locking hubs.  One of the hubs doesn't click in when I turn the dial to "lock" so I have two questions:
1. What might be going on there?  Is it a problem with the hub or something deeper?
2. I'm thinking of just replacing both hubs with upgraded options but I'm unfamiliar with brands; so, what do you guys like?  Warn, Mile Marker, other?

Thanks as always for any info/advice.

P.S. I don't do any hardcore off roading.  Some occasional mud or more likely deep snow but nothing extreme.  Thanks.

[thirsty]

I would suspect broken plastic parts inside the hub or omitted parts when somebody worked on it.
It isn't that much work to remove it and inspect everything.
Sounds like in your case a basic warn hub will do what you need.

[westsidek20]

I know I'm going to get thrashed for this question, but I want to correct my ignorant state,
Again sorry for this question but,
What do the locking hubs achieve? Do you need to lock them to get into 4x4? Or do they lock both wheels once you are in 4x4?
 

[zieg85]

I know I'm going to get thrashed for this question, but I want to correct my ignorant state,
Again sorry for this question but,
What do the locking hubs achieve? Do you need to lock them to get into 4x4? Or do they lock both wheels once you are in 4x4?
 

There are 2 style of 4 wheel drives that pertains to our truck.  The first is full time commonly found on the older trucks(73-79ish).  These have the front drive shaft engaged and spinning all the time.  The second style is part time style either with automatic or manual locking hubs.  The locking hubs make the connection to the front differential when engaged.  There is much more that goes on but this is the 101 version.  I am not a 4x4 fan but have had a few in the past.

[westsidek20]

Ok, I think I got it, also the other post "help with transfer operation" did help.
I just thought that locking the hubs would also lock the wheels, but I guess it's not the case.
Thanks guys

[Blazin]

When the transfercase is shifted into 4x4 it engages the front drive shaft. The shaft then applies power into the front diferential. Drives the pinion gear, which drives the ring gear. Ring gear turns the carrier in which the spider gears are. The side spider gears are splined, and turn the axles. The hubs engage, and disengage the hub / rotor assembly to the axles.
Hubs unlocked the axle just spins. Hubs locked the hub / rotor assembly is driven.

[xylorex]

andyman, did you ever find out what the problem was in your hubs?