Manual Hub Locks

Howdy!

(I have used the search and come up dry).

I'm a bit worried about the longevity of the auto-locking hubs supplied on my X. So, after looking around, I see Warn (and I suppose Superwinch) makes a Premium manual hub-lock for the X.

But, being a cheap'n'handy kinda guy, I'm wondering if there is a wrecking-yard option? Does anyone know *for sure* if Pathfinder manual hubs:

1) fit
2) are available in wreckers (generally)

I thought I'd seen somewhere on XOC that Pathfinder parts would work, but for the life of me, I can't find any info...

TIA!

-GordP

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First, you'll have a hard enough time finding a wrecked Pathfinder.
Second, I wouldn't bother, the Warn hubs can be had for $120, that's not that much. I've never even seen factory manual hubs on a Pathy. I would imagine they would have been on the early models, which as far as I can tell wouldn't be compatible. Not that I would buy 15-year old hubs in the first place.

I can't determine if they Pathy hubs would be compatible. Warn's site lists the same part number for the 90-up Pathy and the Xterra (28-spline) and indicates the 86-89 had a 27-spline setup. Superwinch on the other hand says that the 6-cyl Pathy with auto hubs uses a 31-spline arrangement. Milemarker lists a 90-96 28-spline setup.

Brent

[This message has been edited by OffroadX (edited 07-19-2001).]

I was looking at a ford f350 super duty that my tire guy just bought and his hubs are interesting. They have two settings and they are not locked and unlocked they are automatic and locked. does that mean he has automatic hubs that he can lock if he chooses. If so does anyone make that for the X I don't want to have to get out the vehicle every time I need 4wd for just a few minutes.

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Were in the spirit world a$$hole they can't see us.
'01 super black XE 4x4
name: VADERX

that would be nice. did you ask what brand they were? if they are an aftermarket part, then you might be able to contact them and see what they offer.

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Synchro (aka Kirk)
2000 Alpine Green 4x4 Auto, ARB, Warn XD9000, 32" BFG MTs

What would be the advantage to having manual hubs? Wouldn't automatic hubs be more convinient?

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A word of warning. I previously owned a Jeep that was hopped up with a front locker that used to have the Warn Auto locking hubs on the front. They lasted two weeks before they came apart inside after I installed the locker. Because of this, Phase 4 of my Project X will include manual locking hubs. If you plan on hopping the engine up or putting in a front locker as parts become available, I would recommend using straight manual hubs. Besides, I don't think you are going to find a hub like that for the Nissan.

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Gordon "The Warmonger" White

Sure, they're more convenient. That's why Nissan puts them on.

Unfortunately (IMHO ) they're weaker, and I don't like the fact that they're always popping and clicking as the torque flow reverses. It's creepy, and worries me.

I've heard of a few Land Cruisers that also came with "Auto/Manual" hub-locks too. They weren't renowned for strength either, but they also weren't a disaster.

-GordP

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2001 Solar Yellow XE (S/U/P)
tow hooks, storage shelf

After having a few days to look around, I've learned a few things:

[*]local wrecking yards that do have Pathfinders have never seen manual hubs on one! Wow

[*]Superwinch lists their hub-locks as fitting Xterras with 31-spline front axles.

[*]Warn lists their hub-locks as fitting Xterras with 29-spline front axles.

[*]Superwinch pricing ~$116

[*]Warn pricing ~$125

[/coredump]

-GordP

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2001 Solar Yellow XE (S/U/P)
tow hooks, storage shelf

[This message has been edited by GordP (edited 07-20-2001).]

about a year and a half ago an auto hub exploded in my old fullsize bronco. I looked at carparts.com and saw their warn premiums for ~$120. i called to make sure the part # i was ordering was for the right spline count for the front dana 44 and the guy on the phone quoted me 62.30 for the pair. call around if youre serious about manuals and you can get a steal of a deal.

michael

I own one. I normally run them in "AUTO". In this mode they are auto locking hubs, like the stock X (actuated differently, I think, however.) In "LOCKED" they are just like locked hubs in a traditional manual hubs vehicle. It's a factory setup.

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MOLON LABE!

Today at lunch, I did it. I picked up a set of Warn Premium hubs (p/n 29091). If I had even a single tool here at work, I'd pop those babies on right now

I'm undecided about what to do with the original auto-locking hubs - carry one as a trail-spare and flog the second? Sell both (I really don't like clutter, and given that the manual hubs in my 300hp / 100:1-geared Land Cruiser have lasted 20+ years, I may never need a spare for my X...)?

-GordP (can't wait to break out the tools!)

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2001 Solar Yellow XE (S/U/P)
tow hooks, storage shelf

Yeah, I'd keep 'em as spares on the trail. They're small enough, and better safe than sorry!

Brent

I've done it - installed Warn's Premium Locking hubs. I wrote up a How-To, in the Backyard Mechanic forum. Jump

-GordP

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2001 Solar Yellow XE (S/U/P)
tow hooks, storage shelf, Warn hubs

Gord,

You will have to let us know if the manual hubs increase gas mileage...with the cruddy prices these days, ever bit counts. I would expect their would be some minor improvement!!

Have fun, J

why would you expect to see any improvement? the only way you would see any, is if your stock auto hubs were toast and not unlocking.

New photos of the 2002 X show that manual hubs may be available on the new vehicle.
Are the 2002 X manual hubs available and/or compatable with the 2000-01 axle splines?
What have you all read and/or heard about Nissan manual hubs for the X?
Thanks

Why would you want factory hubs for your truck? They are going to be more expensive by a wide margin than buying them on the after-market. You can buy MileMarker premium hubs from JC Whitney for $69.95 plus shipping. You will need the 90-96 Nissan models. It's crazy to spend $150 or more dollars for the factory ones when you can do a lot better elsewhere. I have the MileMarkers on my X and love them.

The new factory Nissan manual hubs don't stick out as far as Warn and MileMarker hubs.

My Warn hubs stick out even with the wheel edge, which is a very bad thing. Both of them already have damage from rocks.

The new factory hubs are the same height as the automatic hubs, and less prone to damage.

If they are around $100 a pair, I'll switch to them and unload my Warns (which were $125).

Actually I was off slightly on the price. The MM hubs are $84.95 plus shipping. Just a $15 booboo. Sorry.

I agree. i'd be interested to know who made the Nissan hubs, though.

Just found what could be the manufacturer of the new Xterra hubs. Here are a few links and X is listed as a vehicle for which the hubs are available.
http://www.avm.com.br/products4.htm http://www.avm.com.br/products.htm

Fired off a quick message to xterraparts.com and got this...

No, Sorry, It can not be added
Thanks, Randy

Courtesy Nissan
1777 North Central Expressway
Richardson, Texas 75080
800-527-1909 or 972-644-3942
Fax 800-382-7891 or 972-234-4924
courtesy@airmail.net www.courtesyparts.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Mau"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2001 12:35 PM
Subject: Locking Hubs


> I was wondering if the locking hubs that come on the 2002 Xterra
(Enthusiast
> package) are available for purchase, the cost, and if they will fit my
2001
> X?
>
> Gary
> http://www.xterragalactica.net

They should bolt right on.

What if you damage one on a 2002 ? You can't get a replacement ?

Give it a month until they are available.

At the risk of sounding dumb, are manual locking hubs engaged once you lock them? Or do you need to move the truck forward\backward to get them to lock? I thought once they are locked, then they're locked...

Once you engage the hub, by getting out and turning the hub to the "locked" position. The hub (tire and front axles) will be locked together. Then when you want 4x4 mode, just drop your xfer case lever to 4-hi (or stop and drop into 4-lo) when you want.

You can drive around like this though as OffroadX mentioned, you will be turning the axles and creating more rolling resistance.

To unlock, just turn the hub to the "free" or "unlock" position. No backing up.

Thanks...

Close but no cigar. Inside the hub there are 2 sets of gears that have to mesh before hubs are locked to the axle. Turning the dial forces a spring against one of the gears. Then, if the gears are meshed, the hubs are locked to the axle. If the gears are not meshed it'll take a little movement of the wheel before gears align, mesh and hub locks to axle. With 31 splines it doesn't take much, just push on the hatch.

So, I'm like, 1/16" off. Damn.

Anyone replaced the studs supplied with the Warn hubs with bolts ?

Supplied studs are just a bit short. I picked up some 40 mm long bolts and will put them one some day.

i haven't found them to be short at all. had no problems with them except one of them coming out, but Warn replaced it for free for me.

Gears ?

They're splines, not gears.
Gears turn in relation to one another, splines lock together.

No cigar for you !

Gears ? Splines ?

I do instrumentation not mechanical engineering.

But you are right. Probably. As usual.

Elias 4WD will sell them for $115... and free shipping on winches (good prices). He's trying to stock more Xterra stuff (skid row, warn hubs, Interco Tires, etc. He might offer more discounts for XOC members.

Ian!

Just checked with the mechanical engineers at work.

You were, of course, right. They are splines.

1) X hubs
Both autos and manuals are made by Warn.

2) F350 hubs
New super-duty hubs also made by Warn. They use pulse-vacuum technology to engage and disengage. Basically an auto hub that engages instantly and you don't need to back up to disengage. You can also manually engage like regular hub. Pulse vacuum system is integral with entire 4wd system and is not retrofitable

3) cheap hubs
All Warn external mount hubs (like Xterra uses) are basically the same. Hub body, clutch ring and inner drive gear. If a guy found a set of cheap external mount hubs off say a CJ or Toyota and replaced the IDG with one of the proper spline count... Voila!

4) Warn vs. Mile Marker and S-Winch
S-winch hubs are made by Mile Marker. Call Mile Marker and ask them which 3rd world country their hubs are being made in this week.

5) Hub Studs
A very good thing. Much more resistant to loosening than bolts. Use them. Always a good idea to check hub hardware frequently. Think every oil change.

6) Warn Premium vs. OEM Nissan hubs
OE hubs are smaller and built to tighter tolerances. Aftermarket hubs use larger clutch ring and IDG. Your choice. Both will never break with the power they will see from even a blown, locked up Xterra on 33's.

Hope this helps someone.

I had these on my old Chevy S-10. But I didn't have the option of using them manually. The only problem I experienced was the vacuum system wasn't all that reliable. All of a sudden you'd have no 4wd and not know why. There's no sound or anything that happens to indicate the system stopped working. I think GM still uses this system. I just wasn't all that thrilled with it.

Hey Cygnus-

Actually, the Pulse Vacuum on the Super-Duties is new technology unique to that truck. Definitely not the same as the old S-10. The cool part is that if vacuum is lost, the hubs can still work.

I am not sure what your Chevy had. Some Chevy full-sized trucks (up to '97 or so)had a four wheel drive system that was engaged by way of an element that heated up and engaged a shaft. The problem was in cold conditions the element took forever to heat. Serious POS.

Some trucks, like new Jeep and new Dodge use a center disconnect system on the front axle. This uses vacuum or an electric actuator to slide a collar over the split axle shaft and engage the front-end. Maybe that was it.

Did your S-10 really have true disconnecting wheelhubs or was it some sort of center disconnect system?

Just curious.

Do you work for Warn or something ?

The old S-10 had a center disconnect system. Vacuum operated sleeve locked right axleshaft to the diff. There are no hubs as such, they're always rotating. I have an S-10 in the driveway.

If the stock X hubs are made by Warn, what's the number for them ?

Whay are studs better than bolts ? Why don't they back out or loosen ?

Since you seem to be a fountain of information please explain.

Thanks.

Iggy is right, vacuuum sleeve locked the axleshaft, so no hubs. I hated this set-up.
Does GM still use this? The same friggin wheels are on late model trucks as back in the early 90's (i.e. no hubs) so I'm guessing they still use the same set-up????

Hi Iggy

Yes, but I only speak here as the average idiot, not a company rep.

I don't know part number for OE right off. I don't even know if they are available for public sale.

A guy could call Warn at 1.800.543.9276 and find out. Maybe ask for the Nissan OEM group or something like that.

On hub studs. I'm not an engineer, so I can't tell you WHY it works, but it does. Kind of like the microwave. I'm sure one of Warn's customer service folks or an engineer on this board could help us.

No sure what up with new Chevy Silverados. I am pretty sure it is Center-D, but I haven't crawled around under one recently.

Take care guys.

Thanks.

I bought bolts for my hubs and will replace the studs some day. Unless someone can give me a justified reason not to.