I do not have manual or auto hubs...

So anyway, I've havent been offroad for some time in my zuki, and it doesnt look like i will in the near future. So to save a bit of stress on the front driveterrain and a little petrol etc can i just remove the ends of my hubs and carry on driving?? I dont see why this would be any different to a manual hub on the 'free' postion.... But would just like to see what you guys thought. Then when i come to my senses and wanna go offroad again i can simply pop them back on

Thanks, andy

I think the axles are partly supported by the hub.  There is only a brass bushing inside the spindle besides the hub to keep the axle in position.  If the hubs are unlocked and the front diff is not engaged you are really not saving anything by your idea.

I think you would also expose your front outer bearings if you have no hubs at all.

As long as the hubs are running free. That is as long as the front cv shafts aren't spinning. You will not change anything by removing the hubs.

I think you would also expose your front outer bearings if you have no hubs at all.

Very correct.  Crap can get in this way.

to paraphrase Yankee tim:

NO!

You would be trading almost no gain in reducing drivetrain wear for extreme wear caused by exposing your outer wheel bearings to the elements!

Even if you pulled your CV shafts instead, you would be exposing your inboard wheel bearings to the same fate if you did not install a block-off cap as found on a 2wd hub. Unfortunately, if you DO pull the CV shafts AND install the caps, you will be exposing the inside of the front differential directly to the elements through the CV shaft opening on the passenger side!

Seriously, if you want better mileage, keep your engine tuned up, change your oil and lubricants at the proper scheduled intervals and keep your tires properly inflated.

 

Cool, cheers for the replys!

Quote from: longarch on September 23, 2008, 06:41:19 PM

I think you would also expose your front outer bearings if you have no hubs at all.

Very correct.  Crap can get in this way.

I have alloy wheels, which have a clip on central bit, so the hub is covered anyway, so the spline would be kept from crap getting in....

I think the axles are partly supported by the hub.  There is only a brass bushing inside the spindle besides the hub to keep the axle in position.  If the hubs are unlocked and the front diff is not engaged you are really not saving anything by your idea.

But i dont have freewheeling hubs! So i cannot unlock them, hence me wanting to take them off to make the same effect as 'unlocked'


I just keep thinking... the spline cannot move, (a circlip keeps it from falling inwards), it can only spin, so this is safe to do??

Even if you pulled your CV shafts instead, you would be exposing your inboard wheel bearings to the same fate if you did not install a block-off cap as found on a 2wd hub. Unfortunately, if you DO pull the CV shafts AND install the caps, you will be exposing the inside of the front differential directly to the elements through the CV shaft opening on the passenger side!

Seriously, if you want better mileage, keep your engine tuned up, change your oil and lubricants at the proper scheduled intervals and keep your tires properly inflated.

ok, well, thats a complicated answer to my simple question.... im not touching my cv shafts, they are on they're way out anyway, this is one of the reasons i wish 'unlock' the front end while highway driving. I cannot find me manual/freewheeling about at the moment. I just figure, why spend the money anyway (I'm a student) when it seems to me i can simply pop the hubs off, drive off to University for a few months on roads like this, and pop them back on again when i go 4x4ing when i return home.

I just wish to know if it is 100% safe to drive with no hubs on. (that sounds a bit rude, but i'm not trying to be haha i just wanna know)

thanks, andy

if you go on amazon.com and sign up for a new credit card you can get a set of manual hubs for about 50 bucks.  thats what i did and they were superwinch hub. But sometimes you have to spend money to save it

I just wish to know if it is 100% safe to drive with no hubs on. (that sounds a bit rude, but i'm not trying to be haha i just wanna know)

thanks, andy

Yes, right up to the point your bearings wear out and burns through your spindle. 

The auto locking hubs run in the free position normally.  If you need some you can pick them up pretty cheap from the garage sale section as most people swap out for the manual hubs.  The main advantage of manual hubs is you don't have to roll forward a 1/4 turn to have them lock in and you don't have to worry about them unlocking when backing up while off road.

Take your lock outs off and hog out the splines with a carbide bit in a die grinder.  Reinstall caps.  Now the spindles will be water tight and will not engage the CV stub.

That cap on your alloys won't do a damn at keeping water, and dirt, out of the hub and spindle.

but go ahead and run it without the lock-outs.  That way in a year when the spindle is toast, we'll have an example for everyone on why not to do it that way. 

Seriously, some experinced dudes here are trying to advise you.  Take the advice.

Take your lock outs off and hog out the splines with a carbide bit in a die grinder.  Reinstall caps.  Now the spindles will be water tight and will not engage the CV stub.

That cap on your alloys won't do a damn at keeping water, and dirt, out of the hub and spindle.

but go ahead and run it without the lock-outs.  That way in a year when the spindle is toast, we'll have an example for everyone on why not to do it that way. 

Seriously, some experinced dudes here are trying to advise you.  Take the advice.

Perfect, just what i needed to know! I do actually have a pair of broken freewheeling hubs, so i could just remove the bits inside those and use them to watertight my splines.

Oh and who said i wasn't taking advice!? I apolgise if i've come across like this... I put the question out there because i wanted your advice! (obviously!)

Cheers again! Andy 

 Save yourself the effort and go to a local salvage yard and just buy a pair of maunal hubs. If you find some that are in pretty sad shape, get some Toyota manual hubs from an early to mid 80's Toyota and use the splined section from the Suzuki hub. They are the same if they are Aisin hubs except for the splined section is 26 spline on the Suzuki and 30 spline on the Toyota. It's as easy as changing out a c-clip.