Locked Hub Isn't Really Locked

Truck is a 1977 K10, 350 4sp, spicer manual locking hubs. The other day I needed to use 4x4 to move the truck to a different location across some snow. Locked the hubs, shifted to 4hi, and carried on. Got stuck. Front driveshaft was turning but the front tires were not. Had to get the Ford to pull me out..

I jacked up the front of the truck so I could spin the front tires by hand. I found that the passenger side tire was connected to the drivetrain but the drivers side could spin independently of the drivetrain even though it's in the locked position. Removed the cap off that hub, and manipulated the guts of the hub to lock it, and reinstalled the cap. The guts of the hub were covered in a lot of old hardened grease which was presumably preventing the hub from locking. I am going to drive the truck inside tomorrow and service the hubs but I have no idea what they are supposed to be lubricated with. Is it just regular chassis grease?

I would choose a high quality grease, I cannnot say which one is best. I will say...Under no circumstances would I use white lithium grease! I realize this is a difficult one to follow...don't use too much.

If you like your original hubs by all means stay with them. A set of Warn replacements seem to work better and to me are much easier to service.

Hi temp wheel bearing grease… You can probably get away with any type of grease but you might as well service the bearings while you’re in there.

The factory Spicers are good hubs but @Redfish is probably correct about others being easier to service, and just a light coating of grease on the hub parts.

Pack the wheel bearings with grease but not the locking hub parts. Heavy grease will cause Spicers to stick and not move like they should, conversely if you put them in clean and dry they will rust. I usually dip each of the pieces of mine (except the chrome bezel and knob) in thick gear oil during installation. If your o-rings and seals are good (and not in deep water frequently) this will work well then service them yearly.

These hubs are presently packed with what looks like ancient lithium white grease which is likely the problem.

Normmus said:

These hubs are presently packed with what looks like ancient lithium white grease which is likely the problem.

Click to expand...

Quite possible. If you’ve ever opened up an original locking hub that hasn’t been apart you won’t find much if any grease in there.
White lithium was the go to back in the day for similar applications.
Now there’s better stuff.
The couple sets I’ve had apart in recent years, I use a spray on, light weight clingy type lube like open gear lube or chain lube.
It works. Years later, the hubs on my CJ5, a 7 year old kid could lock or unlock them with 2 fingers.