Electronic FW “Hub Lock” Button.

Some Landcruisers come with electronic free wheeling hubs. Don’t ask me why because I don’t know. They have got to be one of the stupidest things I have ever seen on a 4wd vehicle.

Inside the hub, where you get ingress of muddy water, is a small electric motor that winds in and out the hub lock mechanism. This obviously gets damaged when you go off road.

They generally fail in the free position which is where most people run them. This has consequences for 4wd. It can still be selected in the transfer box but unfortunately the drive doesn’t reach the front wheels.

Hub Operation.

So, to operation…

Push the “HUB LOCK” button in.  This does not engage 4wd.

The other button does that. With the hub lock button in, the front wheels are now ready to receive drive when you push the H4 button or select L4 with the transfer box lever.

You can use the free position, if you like, when you want to save fuel on the Autobahn. But just be aware if that little motor gets stuck…

Better for the motor to fail in the lock position for sure.

Reminder about FWHs and what they Do /Don't Do...

First, let me dispel a few myths;

1. They do not engage 4wd - this is done in the transfer case.
2. They do not lock the front differential.

What they do, is engage and disengage the half shaft or drive shaft from the hub of the wheel. When the device is in the locked position the shaft is engaged and when in the free position it is disengaged.