1. Hub Body: The free wheeling hub consists of a hub body that is bolted to the vehicle's wheel hub.
2. Inner Sleeve: Inside the hub body, there is an inner sleeve that rotates freely on bearings. The inner sleeve is connected to the axle shaft, which transmits power from the transfer case to the wheels.
3. Outer Sleeve: Surrounding the inner sleeve is an outer sleeve that can either rotate freely or be locked to the inner sleeve.
4. Locking Mechanism: Free wheeling hubs have a locking mechanism that engages the outer sleeve with the inner sleeve, connecting the axle shaft to the wheels. The locking mechanism can be manual or automatic.
Manual Locking Hubs:
1. Locking: To engage 4WD, the driver must manually switch the locking mechanism on the free wheeling hubs to the "Locked" position. This locks the outer sleeve to the inner sleeve, transmitting power from the axle shaft to the wheels.
2. Unlocking: When 4WD is no longer needed, the driver can manually switch the locking mechanism to the "Unlocked" position. This disengages the outer sleeve from the inner sleeve, allowing the front wheels to rotate freely.
Automatic Locking Hubs:
Automatic locking hubs use a mechanical or vacuum-operated mechanism to engage and disengage the outer sleeve based on the vehicle's speed and driving conditions. Automatic hubs automatically lock when 4WD is engaged and unlock when 4WD is disengaged.
Free wheeling hubs allow drivers to switch between 2WD and 4WD modes by manually or automatically engaging and disengaging the front axle. This flexibility offers better fuel efficiency while maintaining off-road capabilities when needed. Free wheeling hubs are particularly useful in vehicles used for both on-road and off-road driving conditions.
