Lock-o-matic Hubs

Well i always notice that my cj was surprizingly capable when i forgot to lock the hubs. Turns out, that I ahve warn lock-o-matics. As far as I understand, they have a ratchet system that, even when in "free", enables power to go to the wheel to propel them foward, but then unlocks under deceleration. Is this correct? Does anyone have these? How durable are they?
I checked the hubs section on the side, and the picture matches sort of. But there wasn't much other information. Any info would be helpful, thanks!

 

When you put it in 4wd and drive forward, the hubs will lock. But they will unlock in reverse. At least that's the way I understand it. I had a set but the Powerlok had enough resistance in it to let them lock up all the time. I couldn't figure it out at first. But it was a real problem driving around town. I think they are probably as sturdy as any of the others. Maybe mine were defective. You could try doing a search on Warn's site. I think I came up with info re: them there.

 

I have a set of Loc-o-matic hubs on my 72 CJ5 and they work very well, there is a sprag in between the wheel hub and lockout assy. that will apply force in forward or reverse when power is transmitted from the axle shaft to the wheel, but it releases if the wheel tries to apply force to the axle such as deacceleration. Mine have been very reliable, just don't let water get into them, (parts are difficult to find) there is a jeep salvage yard near Houston that has a few used ones that I have gotten parts from, there are some small nylon shoes that will wear out if you get water in the hub. If I were going to wheel my jeep on rocks or trails that had a lot of steep climbs and decents I would definatly manually lock the hubs.

 

I tried contacting warn, since their info have been quite helpful in the past, but here is their response...

 

My '69 orginally had lock-o-matics (I still have them areound here someplace). I never took it off road with them, but I noticed that the front of the jeep rattled like crazy when it was in motion. I took the lock-o-matics off and put on a new set of Warn locking hubs - no more rattle. If you need something to play with or parts, I'd be happy to send you the old lock-o-matics.

I have attached a couple of pics of an exploded view of the lock-o-matic.

 

When I first got my Jeep the left hub would crack and pop alot when I was wheeling. I found that it had water in it and the rollers and outer sprag race were rust pitted and the nylon shoes were worn out. There was nice old guy that sold jeep parts out of his garage here in Houston who worked as a parts man for jeep from 1945 to about 1986, he said that those hubs were dealer installed back in the 60's and he still had 1 rebuild kit, which I purchased. I purchased a few used hubs from a Jeep salvage yard to get the hard parts that I needed and now they don't make any noise at all. I am sure that newer hubs are stronger and are easier to engage and disengage manually, I have a locker in my front differential and I have not broken a hub yet.

 

In later years, Warn redesigned these and called them Automatic hubs. The difference is that the manual locks are spring loaded and are easier to lock and unlock. So far, the only problem I've had with mine it that I bent the 6 mounting bolts. They need to be checked periodically for torque. If they are allowed to loosen, they may bend when placed under heavy load like mine did.

 

I know this isn't the right forum but I see some people with them here and I took mine off if anyone wants 'em or needs parts.

 

My 73 has them. They seem to work fine - I lock them in if I am doing anything strenous with the Jeep. Parts are very scarce - I think the spindle is different for the Loc-o-Matic and standard hubs won't fit unless you change out the spindles. There is a ring in there with screws in it that stripped on mine when I tore them down for maintenence - could not get that ring - redrilled and tapped it - made it work. If they are working don't mess with them.

 

I just swapped mine out for some regular warns off a pickup D25, they seem to work fine, had them out wheelin'. Don't think the spindles are different.

 

Some of the guys are correct about the 'Lock-O-Matic' hubs, they do freewheel when one tire is moving faster than the axle speed,
Like when you are turning.

There is a roller bearing clutch in them, sometimes referred to as a 'Sprague' clutch (although it isn't a true Sprague type clutch),
And usually when you disassemble and clean them, you will find the cage holding the clutch together is broken.
That cage was the weak link.

Those hubs were made back when there were still a lot of dirt, sand & gravel roads that flooded or became impassable when weather got a grip on the area,
And people drove around in 4 wheel drive all the time.

It's NOT recommended that you use Lock-O-Matic hubs with a locker of any kind!
You WILL kill the lockouts with a locking differential!

Here are a couple of images from an old repair manual,
Hope these help...