In this video Eric O. has a look at a malfunctioning ESOF (electronic shift on the fly) 4 wheel drive system in this Ford Truck that is equipped with PVH (Pulse Vacuum Hubs) So come along and see if we can find out why the front hubs won't lock in!
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48 thoughts on “Ford f250 4×4 – vacuum hubs not engaging”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Roy Benoit says:

    Awesome video as usual ……. very informative. I'm looking to purchase a vacuum gauge and/or pump and was wondering what you would recommend. There's quite a few brands on Amazon but none of them have very good reviews. Thanks again and keep the awesome videos comin'. Cheers!!!

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Andre Maillet says:

    Good video thanks..

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars CMSgt Goose says:

    Would this problem cause irregular wear on the front tire? I have the same problem and noticed my tire is worn on the edge.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ronn Jerremy says:

    Is this vacuum hub setup different for the 2000 f550 7.3 4×4? Great vid

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars James McNaughton says:

    Is there any more durable maybe wire braid options for the vacuum lines? Maybe some universal line I could replace these junky dry rotting lines ford puts on em. So much vacuum every where on this truck and the material they use just falls apart.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Cecil Jacobson says:

    Quick question. I have an 03 super duty with 6L turbo diesel. I had a guy try to figure it out before I bought it but it's not fixed though.
    My 4wd works if I lock the hubs tcase is driving all the time. The dash switch doesn't do anything. He had tried new switch new tcase solonoid. In auto on hubs it's free spin.
    Would a vac leak cause nothing to change on dash and hubs not to lock

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars charles sim says:

    if the other side was leaking it would not held the vacuum so you did not need to test the otherside however for my own vehicle if I'm doing the seals on one side I would rather just do both sides and know that it will not fail a month down the road on the otherside. great video and you definitely are a real mechanic and not a parts changer. Good job!

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael Volin says:

    Excellent job in narrating. I think my problem is the inner seal. Thank you very much.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bub Dawg's What do you think? says:

    So how is Hannah doing these days?

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeff Brooks says:

    Wow!!!
    Great Video.
    Your Experience
    Probably won't be
    Appreciated in some
    Other Shop I see why
    You have own
    Business /Top Tech.
    Thank You.Takecare!
    How miles on the
    Truck? I'm curious

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars buffy stclair says:

    Good use of your smoke machine, here in Ontario they canceled the emissions testing program so I imagine there is a few smoke machines collecting dust if the guys aren’t creative enough to use the machine for things other then intended original purpose .

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bear Nay says:

    Hey Eric! Never mind

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Antonio Claudio Michael says:

    These Vacuum Systems Are A Pain they are failure prone vacumm actuator or The Hub seals or vacuum lines Good Video as Always Eric O @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Richard Lewis says:

    A little late on comment but it’s funny the F150 front wheel hubs UNLOCK with vacuum and LOCK with NO VACUUM. 180 opposite from F250.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott Downey says:

    Why did you remove the dust seal, cause you dont like it?
    And why did you remove the spacing collar? You dont like that either? It helps keep the splines out of the rusty grit when sliding axle back in. Confused.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott Downey says:

    Also put the smoke machine on the other hub, if its blowing smoke, it is bad.

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott Horn says:

    Great work, what I was looking for… Subscribed.

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars B Brown says:

    You can make a seal installation tool with an 8" piece of galvanized pipe, a pipe cap, & a 4"? flange. You will have to grind the diameter of the flange down to fit the seal properly, & the 1.5" pipe will slide over the axle shaft. The cap gives you a nice place to hit & keep the blows centered. All of the parts can be purchased at Lowes/Home Depot for like $25. I did mine this way & it worked perfectly. The special tool does prevent overdriving the seal where the flange/pipe/cap tool does not, but it still works just fine.

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Matthew Yates says:

    I have watched plenty of videos on the wheel hub and bearing assemblies. Your video is so in depth and explained so well in detail, I can just about picture and understand all the working parts of the assemblies by memory alone now. Great video. thank you

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David vonAnderseck says:

    Good stuff

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stacy Dornan says:

    Eric is by far the best mechanic on you tube

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars gary mcmullin says:

    pal you are good detective but ya got me confused about the need to test the right side hub. When you were pinching the cross over line to the left side that should have proven the right side was ok. The smoke test proved the left side was faulty. This is way late after the video of course but just wanted to comment.

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars nate4036 says:

    Can we just delete the locking hubs with drive flange slugs and just be done. I want a truck to work when I hit the switch not live on a prayer

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars george stone says:

    Just did My transfer case that has a similar$60.00 seal. Don't have the tool, but I have a very expensive machine shop. Made my own tool. Yes I would charge a lot to make the tool for someone else. Just some time and scrap aluminum. Just saying!
    Good video. George from southern Indiana.

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars J. says:

    Need a magnet on that vaccum gauge

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Wayne Akins says:

    Typical Ford screw up

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Matt Owen says:

    I installed Dana spicer super 60 upper, lower ball joints and Dana spicer u joints with Dana spicer axle dust seal, and axle shaft seal best ones to get well worth spending $400 on it last winter. I have to replace my locking hubs soon too. More worth it if you buy the whole Dana spicer kit comes with u joint, seals, and gaskets, and upper and lower ball joints

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Richard Vasquez says:

    Man I want to say thanks. You answered all my questions in one video that I couldn't find in 4 other videos. Very detailed and all the proper zooms in needed. Thanks man

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Redneck Tech says:

    being a youtuber myself I can greatly appreciate the time you took to make this vid despite having a very busy shop…so, thank you!! And the smoke machine was new to me…got one on order now!

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 70ixlr8 says:

    The inner hub seal comes lubricated with a clearish lubricant. What is it? Resembles dielectric grease, but I have never found it mentioned. I would like to add extra to my next seal.

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dane Pollett says:

    first time I've ever left a comment on a video, but this vid was so well done that I had too. Had similar failure of autolock hubs not engaging on my 2002 F250SD…the vacuum gage readings that the author showed in his video were critical to figure out what I should be seeing on my truck. I was getting vacuum at the wheel ends of the vacuum lines when selecting 4WD in the cab, so it showed my solenoid was operating…it was just low, only around 4" of Hg or so…this vid showed me I should be seeing around 20". Poked around and got around 20" of Hg at the inlet of the solenoid (red hard plastic line) and was only getting 4" of Hg at the solenoid outlet (black hard plastic line)….replaced solenoid and vacuum immediately went to 20" downstream of the solenoid valve. 4×4 worked. Thank you!!!

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ronnie Carroll says:

    Eric, I have hubs unlocked, but front drive shaft is turning when in 2 wheel drive. Should it be turning or not when its set to 2 wheel drive? I would think it should not, but I’m not sure? Can anyone answer this?

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars American_Citizen says:

    Damn. I wish you were my neighbor 😂

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Erik Harris says:

    Great video. Very informative.

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jorge fonseca says:

    Another great vedeo this is a really pure fucking mechanic 👏👏 this man are a probably a one of the best mechanics have in USA 👏👌👍 shame we don't have a professional mechanics like you here in Norway 🤔 only guy's removing a older parts and puts a new one and they don't know if still good or not!! Great work mate 👍 cheers from Norway 🇳🇴👍

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ernie P. says:

    Find a retired machinist that still does some work at home. I bet he can make those tools for a lot less than $300.

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jaime Flores says:

    Hey brother I have a f2500 1997 and I changed the front brakes and then they got lock and I replace the pistons and still the sAme, do you have any idea what can be?

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Charles Klippel says:

    That was a very good video I know a lot of the trucks now obsolete with the newer trucks coming out but if somebody has an older truck that has the auto hubs like that they should be saving that video for a long time you did a good job thank you for the video the next time I get a truck in that year I'm going to look at your video If I have a problem with my Hubs take care hope you're doing well

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rosa Castro says:

    That drive shaft 1200 dollars to you

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rosa Castro says:

    Nice video but it's ford I hate ford's

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Adirondack Homestead says:

    I always just change the OE hubs to aftermarket manual hubs. Vacuum hubs are a ridiculous design.

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Richard Munzert says:

    Who is Hanna

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeffery Powell says:

    those vac hubs are shit

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars zr1sparky1 says:

    Didn't you already verify the first hub when it was actuating and working with the other side isolated?

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mark Leman says:

    vacuum hubs all around troublesome shit of an idea.

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Andy74 says:

    Is that a Ford design or is it a Dana design?

  47. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Early Ray Bonneville says:

    Cool video. I like that you caught your mistake and admitted it on camera. It actually put emphasis on how easy it is to make a mistake even by a professional..very cool. I liked and subscribed.

  48. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joseph Martino says:

    would a brake bleeder vacuum tool work for this? in other words hook up the brake bleeder vacuum and use it in lieu of the gauge you used.

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