How do you use manual locking hubs in a part-time 4WD?

Locking hubs were made to engage and disengage the front wheels from the front shafts. The idea was to keep the parts that weren’t needed in 2WD mode from rotating, thus increasing fuel mileage.

To use the brakes, you must first stop the vehicle, then shift the transmission into a 4-wheel drive. If you try to start the vehicle while the brakes are applied, the transmission will lock up and the brakes will not work. It’s best to wait until the brakes have stopped working before starting the vehicle.

Freewheeling hubs or locking hubs engage or disengage the front axle half shaft from the hub of the front wheels.

Part-time four-wheel-drive vehicles come in a wide variety of forms, with a wide variety of ways to select 4WD. Older vehicles often come equipped with freewheel hubs that allow the driver to choose between 4WD and AWD. It can be tricky to find the proper setting for your vehicle, especially when it’s raining.

Source: Madd