What is freewheeling hubs?

Freewheeling hubs, also known as locking hubs or free-spin hubs, are components used in four-wheel drive vehicles that allow the front wheels to spin freely without turning the front driveshaft, thus reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency.

When the vehicle is in two-wheel drive mode, the freewheeling hubs disengage the front wheels from the drivetrain, allowing them to spin independently of the axle shafts and driveshaft. This reduces wear and tear on drivetrain components and improves fuel efficiency.

When the vehicle is switched to four-wheel drive mode, the driver engages the freewheeling hubs, which lock the front wheels to the front axle shafts and drivetrain, allowing power to be transferred to all four wheels.

Freewheeling hubs come in different designs but generally consist of a hub body, a locking mechanism, and a hub engagement mechanism. They are commonly found on off-road vehicles and trucks that require four-wheel drive capability but also need to be driven on paved roads where four-wheel drive is not necessary.