Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I just got myself a GQ. I didn't get a manual with the vehicle.

Can anyone tell me the procedure for locking and unlocking the auto front hubs? From doing a search, it seems that everyone agrees that when you lock the transfer into 4WD the hubs will automatically lock as the wheels turn.

However for unlocking, some say that you need to reverse several metres, others say they will automatically unlock when the transfer is put back to 2WD and you drive off.

Can someone tell me for sure?

Thanks,
Adam.

probably better to lock them in manually so they work in forward and reverse.
OR buy manual hubs

Thanks for that j-top paj. Manual lockers are on the list of things to get.

I'm sorted on how to lock them. How do I unlock them?

Adam.

A*D*A*M wrote:Thanks for that j-top paj. Manual lockers are on the list of things to get.

I'm sorted on how to lock them. How do I unlock them?

Adam.

The auto hubs have a 'lock' that you can use the wheel nut lever with to lock and unlock it.

The auto hubs sometimes have the tendancy to unlock when climbing hills and clutching at the same time... not fun...

When I had my GQ... i used the wheel nut lever to lock them manually to 'lock' and when back on the road... back to 'auto'

if you do change them over to manual locking hubs - make sure you get geniune..

I"ve broken 2 aftermarket manual hub assemblies before finally settling to geniune with no issues for a year then wrote off my car.

TOM

I have a 2000 GU & to be honest I dont like the setup. You may have instructions on the other side of your drivers' side sun visor.
With the hubs in auto my manual says to reverse at least 1 metre after shifting out of 4wd.
I'm giving serious thought to spending $250 on a set of manual locking hubs, with a trip planned along the Canning next winter I'd like peace of mind!

I've got auto hubs with a front airlocker and give my car a caning on some very tough tracks. Never had a problem with them. Everyone tells me to change them to manual's but i'll wait 'till one breaks. about 7yrs of abuse and still going strong.

For light stuff you can engage H4 on the move. For anything heavier, ie. 4L work, lock the hubs using tyre lever.

To unlock diengage 4wd and then travel about 1m or so in opposite direction to which you engaged them in, usually you'd engage them in a forward gear and therefore reverse to disengage.

When in 'auto' the axles are engaged after 1/2 a tyre rotation or so and will remain engaged untill you reverse when they will momemtarily disengage and then engage in reverse. Change gear again and opposite will occur......

If you're travelling through a soft stretch of sand, say, and you need 4 wheels driving then auto is fine. Should you get stuck, however, you're fuggered because when you reverse you're hubs will disengage before then re-engaging.

Therefore, you're better off to engage hubs in the 'lock' position whenever engaging 4wd. This will be the same time that all your mates with part time 4wd will be engaging their front hubs too.

To disengage, select 2wd, place hubs into 'auto' position and reverse 1m or so. Then drive off. (either way hubs are disengaged as you've travelled backwards and forwards).

I wouldn't go changing them unless there buggered personally. Sometimes it's handy if you need to quickly slap it into 4H if you unexpectantly lose momentum in sand, mud, etc.

GQ Bear wrote:I've got auto hubs with a front airlocker and give my car a caning on some very tough tracks. Never had a problem with them. Everyone tells me to change them to manual's but i'll wait 'till one breaks. about 7yrs of abuse and still going strong.

wat he said...

they should be unlocked when the dash light goes out

i got the shits with mine half engaging when traveling down the highway etc... makes a hell of a noise too.

some of the older Autohubs dont have the option to lock them with the Wheel brace.

at any rate, as per the instructions of my pax side sun visor. put into 2H then reverse several meters to ensure unlocking.

j-top paj wrote:i got the shits with mine half engaging when traveling down the highway etc... makes a hell of a noise too.

Same thing happened to my GQ so I went to the wreckers and got a set of manual hubs. Best thing I ever did.