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welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 10:06 pm
by danger
i have a mk patrol and i have welded the front diff permanently locked it. i was told it wouldn't affect the steering when the hubs r unlocked but now that i have welded the diff i can hardly steer. i have auto hubs they should unlock when i change back to 2wd but i think they must be staying locked even when im in 2wd. i dont know how the auto hubs work r they staying locked because i have welded the diff ? how can i check if the hubs r working properly?

Re: welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:16 pm
by Chev.Lux
Sounds like your stuck in 4x4 mate, once the sun gears are welded to the hemisphere the left and right wheels cant rotate at diferent speeds when you take a corner. As for the auto hubs im not sure, put the front wheels in the air and turn them by hand and see what they do in 2wd.

Re: welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 12:07 am
by georgey
auto hubs are permanently engaged,the only thing that changes when you go into 2wd is the transfer disconnects front drive.
Only fix is a new diff centre lol

Re: welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 12:10 am
by atari4x4
georgey wrote:auto hubs are permanently engaged,the only thing that changes when you go into 2wd is the transfer disconnects front drive.
Only fix is a new diff centre lol

really? you might want to double check that buddy... :roll:

you're talking about drive flanges, auto hubs are exactly that....

from what i can work out they are automatically engaging free wheeling hubs. instead of having a dial to engage the FWH when in 4wd the spinning front axle will engage the auto hub usually within 1/8 of a turn of the wheel.

i would look at replacing the auto FWH's with manual ones off another partrol

Re: welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 1:28 am
by georgey
Oops,yeah my mistake.
Was thinks about 80 series ones but theyre full time 4wd arent they,Auto hubs do work in the way atarie said.When the diff recieves power from the transfer case it spins and inturn turns the cv which overpowers a spring inside the auto hubs and locks them in.
Theyre not very reliable because they can get jammed unlocked or parts inside can break like the spring.

Replace them with some manual locking hubs and you should be all sweet to go.

Re: welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 11:42 am
by joeblow
They will be sensing a torque load and probably locking in. Change them to free wheeling hubs,

Re: welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 12:52 pm
by toaddog
joe is on the money. This is probably the cheapest and easiest way to fix it

Re: welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 3:55 pm
by danger
thanks 4 your help. just worked out it was still in 4wd because the transfer had bind untill i reversed 4 a good 10 to 20m then the steering came good in 2wd but sometimes the hubs still randomly lock so i will get some manual hubs just priced after market hubs $550 from repco does anyone know where i can get cheeper or second hand hubs from? theres a three month wait 4 4wd systems lokkas so i will have to put up with welded diff till then.

Re: welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 4:07 pm
by SIM79
danger wrote: does anyone know where i can get cheeper or second hand hubs from? theres a three month wait 4 4wd systems lokkas so i will have to put up with welded diff till then.
I get all my parts here, cheap and fast and great customer service, Gold Coast 4WD for manual hubs
http://www.4x4part.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You don't have to wait 3 months to buy low quality copy, get a Lockright from here
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/supporti ... ore-55878/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 12:25 am
by bakerboy
try coventries, bursons, veales etc for some AVM hubs, sure they arent the best build quality but ive picked up sets for 220 for a pajero

Re: welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:33 am
by bazzle
Cheapest option and in my opinion 2nd hand diff centre.

You 'will' get issues off road withy the welded diff.
ie straight on when you need to turn on slippery surfaces, inability to turn when going down steep hills with sharp turns etc.

Bazzle

Re: welded front diff steering problems

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 6:37 pm
by georgey
put gq hubs on it from the wreckers,should be heaps of patrols around newcastle wreckers now