[JasonSelmes]

Hi Guys,

Had both front bearings replaced. Front driver side hub will go into free and will lock. The front left is in lock and wont go into Free. Got caught in a hairy position today and had to reverse with no 4WD because the left hand side would not unlock to Free. A mate had to pull be back from ending up in a tree.

I only had bearings replaced about 2-3 weeks ago X2 on the front both sides.

Could that have dome something and what can be done to fix it?

Lucky I found it now before next weeks camping trip!

cheers Jason

[alchemysa]

Sounds like the cover/knob was not set to 'free' and the freewheeling clutch ring was not tightened in before it was fitted. Its a 5 minute fix.

[kenn]

Take it back and get fixed.

[Zook_Fan]

Your hub was locked on and that meant you couldn't have four wheel drive? Did you lock the other hub in?

[31zook]

kenn wrote:

Take it back and get fixed.

Its likely that they never even touched the hubs when doing the wheel bearings.

As others have suggested just pull it apart and work it out. They're super simple and its good to know how things work.

Wilso.

[kenn]

What about the circlip on the stub axle ?
But you are definatly right about knowing how things work.

Are your hubs manual or automatic ? Something we should have asked first.

[Reubs]

kenn wrote:

What about the circlip on the stub axle ?

Vitara/Coily hubs can be removed as a whole unit without removing the circlip unlike Leafy Sierra ones as the Vit circlip is further down the axle.

[kenn]

Sweet, thanks for that Reubs.

[JasonSelmes]

Zook_Fan wrote:

Your hub was locked on and that meant you couldn't have four wheel drive? Did you lock the other hub in?

Yeah mate they were locked no problem. The issue i was having with the right one was that i was unable to FREE the left hand side passenger wheel to enagage 4WD. The left side would unlock to free and back to lock no problems.

[JasonSelmes]

kenn wrote:

What about the circlip on the stub axle ?
But you are definatly right about knowing how things work.

Are your hubs manual or automatic ? Something we should have asked first.

Manual mate, The drivers side works but the left hand side just wont buedge out of the locked position into Free.

[JasonSelmes]

Zook_Fan wrote:

Your hub was locked on and that meant you couldn't have four wheel drive? Did you lock the other hub in?

Yep the right hand driver side locks and opens to into Free no worrie at all. Bloody left one wont budge at all out of the lock position.

[atari4x4]

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=20086

[fordem]

JasonSelmes wrote:

Zook_Fan wrote:

Your hub was locked on and that meant you couldn't have four wheel drive? Did you lock the other hub in?

Yep the right hand driver side locks and opens to into Free no worrie at all. Bloody left one wont budge at all out of the lock position.

I don't think you're reading the question...

If the hub was already LOCKED what was there to prevent you from using 4WD?

[atari4x4]

fordem wrote:

JasonSelmes wrote:

Zook_Fan wrote:

Your hub was locked on and that meant you couldn't have four wheel drive? Did you lock the other hub in?

Yep the right hand driver side locks and opens to into Free no worrie at all. Bloody left one wont budge at all out of the lock position.

I don't think you're reading the question...

If the hub was already LOCKED what was there to prevent you from using 4WD?

The dial can be in the locked position & due to lack of servicing it wont engage as the internals gummed up with crusty grease & rust, leaving it free wheeling even though the dial is in the locked position... I've experienced it myself.

[JasonSelmes]

fordem wrote:

JasonSelmes wrote:

Zook_Fan wrote:

Your hub was locked on and that meant you couldn't have four wheel drive? Did you lock the other hub in?

Yep the right hand driver side locks and opens to into Free no worrie at all. Bloody left one wont budge at all out of the lock position.

I don't think you're reading the question...

If the hub was already LOCKED what was there to prevent you from using 4WD?

I think your right... I am confused. When using 4WD does it need to go into lock or free?

When driving 2 wheel drive rear should they be in Free or Lock?

[atari4x4]

free = 2wd

lock = 4wd

[Reubs]

^^^ x2.

JasonSelmes, does you Vit still have the information sticker on the console next to the transfer case lever? The 4x4 instructions are written there and in the owner's manual also.

[JasonSelmes]

atari4x4 wrote:

free = 2wd

lock = 4wd

Ok thanks guys.

Is it bad to drive it in 2WD with the hubs locked instead of back to free or there is no issue?

[alchemysa]

The video above shows the solution from about the 6.40 mark. Before the knob/cover is reattached to the hub the knob has to be turned to 'free' and the spring has to be compressed by rotating the inner cup thingy. If you dont do this you will actually be installing it in the lock position even though it says 'free' on the outside, and you wont be able to turn the knob at all.

[JasonSelmes]

If i flick the RHS drivers side hub to lock and drive in 4WD for a little bit would that do anything? Since the LHS is already stuck in the lock position will that do anything?

Mind you i did get 2x bearings replaced and also 4x new tyres last week. GripMax A/T 215/75/15. not sure if this has anything to do with it.

2 weeks before that it was working.

[Reubs]

JasonSelmes wrote:

Is it bad to drive it in 2WD with the hubs locked instead of back to free or there is no issue?

Not too much of an issue.

Locked hubs whilst in 2WD will result in a very small increase in fuel consumption, and will cause some wear and tear on your CVs front diff, and front uni joints unnecessarily.

Some people recommended that if you don't use 4x4 often, to lock the front hubs once a month and go for a short drive in 2WD to lubricate the front diff.

[JasonSelmes]

Reubs wrote:

JasonSelmes wrote:

Is it bad to drive it in 2WD with the hubs locked instead of back to free or there is no issue?

Not too much of an issue.

Locked hubs whilst in 2WD will result in a very small increase in fuel consumption, and will cause some wear and tear on your CVs front diff, and front uni joints unnecessarily.

Some people recommended that if you don't use 4x4 often, to lock the front hubs once a month and go for a short drive in 2WD to lubricate the front diff.

thanks mate. cheers.

taking into my mechanic tomorrow to check on it. gotta get something sorted as have a 2 week trip away in 2 weeks time.

[bohuler]

If you are in Melbourne drop into my workshop and I will pop the hub off and have a squizz.

Dave

[oohsam]

Thats mighty nice of ya Dave.

I think he's in Syd. I spoke to him when he was buying the vit.