manual hubs or auto locking hubs???

[jimny_99]

hey there,
on my jimny 99 it has the auto locking front hubs. Ive been having some problems with them not engaging properly of late. got it all looked at and there seems to be no reasons why they shouldnt work perfectly.

Is it easier to just have manual front hubs? if so what are the best?

I have heard of alot of people swaping the auto to manual.

what are ur thoughts?

cheers

[green-vl]

Auto locking hubs turn off then turn on each time when you change driving direction. It may be a problem when you try to swing a car.
So manual hubs are more preferable.

For swaping vacuum to manual hubs you will need a spacer between hub and wheel hub about 6 mm.

[guppy]

I had a 99 Jimny previous to my GV and had some trouble with the hubs locking in when i first got it... after some fault finding found it to be just some crap in the vacume lines... my advice will be to check all the lines as a starting point for blockages (you may need to get a hand vacume pump to do this and a compressed air to blow them out).
Once i fixed them it was great and never had an issue for over 12 months.

To correct the previous post they dont unlock everythime you change direction... once they are in a locked position they stay that way until you unlock by taking it out of 4wd.

Hope this helps...

[jimny_99]

Ok so i fixed the problem with them not locking in properly; followed the lines back to the engine and found a break which i fixed, one thing that i noticed wen i took her for a drive is that if the hubs are locked in 4wd then when the steering is fully locked to either side there seem to be something that is catching and causing the wheel to drag, almost like if i had the brake on. any thoughts to wat this maybe?

[green-vl]

It's normal. Jimny does not have central diff that's why steering on hard and dry surface is difficult. Rear and front wheels must turn with different speed in turn.

[jimny_99]

thanks for the imput guys

[Gwagensteve]

Jimny's don't really use "auto" hubs - they are vacuum/magnetic actuated and are locked in when the driver engages 4WD.

They are a terrible idea - unreliable and prone to unlocking under heavy load. Get rid of them and install Sierra manual hubs. The 6mm adapter ring is a nice option, but I am aware that others have run them without the spacer. Not sure what they did though.

Steve.

[jimny_99]

think i will just bite the bullet and get some manual locking hubs

[green-vl]

Jimny's don't really use "auto" hubs

When I told about auto hubs I meant hubs like on old Vitara.

2jimny_99 If you don't wanna use hub spacers you need to use Vitara's wheel hub nut or cut original Jimny's wheel hub nut boards to make it flat.