[Imtrying]

So I had my mechanic take care of the front axle rebuild they ended up putting a Posi front carrier in and my question is with my manual locking hubs shouldn't my front half shafts spin freely when my locking hubs are in the free position? If they are what could the problem be if not why so ? Thanks

 

[mouseys_7.3]

with a posi? they will turn. but it will take a bit more effort than an open diff. but both shafts should spin in unison. I am unsure if you would be able to turn by hand though.

 

[Imtrying]

I know with the open diff I could spin by hand no problem and when I spin the transfer case drive shaft both side axles spin oh another question with this Posi front end when four wheel drive engaged how should it act differently than my stick diff

 

[mouseys_7.3]

Both tires will spin. steering radius will be dramatically reduced. It will function sorta like lockers. Except always locked. I'm not sure I would have went with a true posi. What are you using the 4x4 for?

 

[Imtrying]

Using the 4x4 for normal stuff nothing to heavy duty I do have a plow for the truck and I am kinda kicking my self in the but for having this guy rebuild it looks like he charged me about 1150 in parts and 375 in labor.... So on my old carrier when I tried spinning the u joint in the front axle with hubs in free it would spin freely both sides actually all three would spin indepently of each other and now it's like the hubs are always locked no free wheel is that a normal change?

 

[Imtrying]

He said he couldn't find parts for the Dana 50 that's why it was so exspensive

 

[badbart]

As long as your hubs are unlocked it shouldn't matter whether you have a "posi"(limited slip) or a locker. It should drive like an open differential. If you ever watch truck pulls with the 4 wheel drive class they just leave the drivers side hub unlocked until they get it on the track. That keeps it from binding when they make turns. Then they just lock that one, get in, and pull. If you put your truck on a rack with the hubs locked and spin one tire the other tire should turn the same direction. I think I would have gone with a locker myself if one was available.