Yah not much of an advertisement is it.

I havent changed to warns yet just cause I actually have no complaints with the Ford hubs running them manually. But I'm sure I'll blow one up one of these days. Depends on what you want to do since you can get them cheaper but I just said the heck with it and run them manually. Plus it's kind of cool having 2wd Lo when moving heavy trailers in the summertime too. But if you can't turn your's manually anymore, well. Anyway good luck.

 

In checking all hub threads I found a couple of address's for other web sites and they show pictures of ball joint removal-which shows pictures of the actual wheel hubs and seals as well as vacum lines. Also there was a web site address in one of these threads that showed someone cleaning his ford esof hub.

 

I still have a vacum problem with my heater controls as they are staying on defrost regardless of what the heater control selector is pointed to. I need assistance in locating the problem.

 

Yours is doing the exact same as mine, no heater when the **** is in 4x4, but switch it back to 2WD and you're okay, right?

If so, you're right, it's a vacuum leak somewhere in the hub system, but I for one am tired of fiddling with the esof hubs, they are apparently just not worth fixing.

Since I've accepted having to lock the hubs manually, my next step is to just pull the vacuum line running to the hubs, and plug it off. I lose the auto-engage (that doesn't work anyway!) but I preserve the vacuum I need for the heater controls.

Not the "right" way to fix it, but I think it's the most realistic.

Robert

 

I have an '03 FX4 w/65K.
Never had a problem w/ESOF. I use my 4X4 regularly on the farm...

I would say you should use your 4X4 regularly (offroad, of course)to keep the system working properly...

 

Good advice, but I've had my truck only four months. The damage was already done by the time I got it, I'm just trying to work with what I've got.

Robert

 

30 percent don't work off the lot.

 

92% of statistics are made up on the spot.


If/when I get a new Ford I am thinking of the Manual Hubs. Any concerns with those, hard to lock/unlock etc? Or are warns still the way to go?

 

my heater control stays on deforst regardless of the 4wd select **** inside the truck. I am putting warn hubs on and that fixs the 4wd, one of my hubs would not turn unless I used pliers or I would not have changed to warns. But ALAS I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM AS MY HEATER BLOWS OUT THE DEFROST REGARDLESS OF THE HEATER CONTROL LEVER'S POSITION(AC VENT FLOOR) IF MY HEATER IS ON IT ONLY BLOWS OUT THE DEFORST.

 

I think the answer to both of these could be the vacuum solenoid has failed.

The ESOF system uses a high vacuum level generated by the vacuum solenoid, which is located on the fenderwell beside the battery to engage the locking hubs and a lower level to unlock them. In each case after the initial vacuum is pulled the hubs hold in the proper mode. A complete rundown of the locking hub system is: Vacuum signals are supplied to the locking hubs by system components, including GEM, wiring harness, solenoid, vacuum harness and vacuum seals.

 

ESOF is simple - reading Ford's description of it doesn't help explain it though

Every So Often it Fails - (just made that up).

My hubs are sticking now, with only 17K miles and 2.5 years of ownership on it. Time to lube them.

To the guy with the defrost problem on ALL ESOF settings, you have a vacuum leak before the ESOF system, where the heater box ties into it. Because of that, sounds like the hubs won't work either...

art k.

 

Most of the time it's the hubs, Just plug the red vacume line right at the vacume selonoid behind the battery. I just put some silocone on a bolt around the same size and plugged it and walla, my heater controlles work again in 4wd. I really like still having shift on the fly but just have to lock my hubs in ahead of time. May bug some people but doesn't bother me so much. Yes, it sort of defeats the purpose of ESOF but I'd rather not keep replacing hub assy. every 50K from living in wisconsin with the salt and crap on the roads(hard on the seals). good luck guys.

 

I have an 04 with ESOF no proplems at 30000 miles. Is the auto lock in the hub or is it part of the manual operator thats monted on the end of the hub?

 

In the hub....Sometimes part of the manual operator behind the wheel thats the problem. LOL

 

There's a line of comedians down at the unemployment office, Dick, and you're trying to be funny.