Automatic 4x4 Hubs - Page 2 - Infamous Nissan

fatleon · 03-29-2020, 06:44 AM

I only had a problem with my auto hubs once. I had opposite corners up on high spots, so the suspension was fully twisted. And I was rocking back and forth trying to get enough traction to get free. That rocking caused one hub to buzz, like grinding gears. It seemed to work fine after that, once I gave it a chance to lock up more gently, they lock when the axle turns and the wheel doesn't. So there's a little lag as they have to take up that slack. So it's possible they'll skip instead of locking if you give them a quick bump like I was doing.
I did get a set of manual hubs soon after that tho, so I don't know how much I messed em up.

I've read they can get jammed up when the grease in them dries up. They work fine for mild stuff, getting through a little snow or something, but if you can upgrade I'd say do it.

PoodlePuncher · 04-26-2020, 03:31 AM

Hijacking this thread, because i can't find the answer, and it's technically on topic...

Disassembled my auto hubs to clean/inspect them,

I know not to goop everything up... but he large clutch... bearing... clutched bearing?

does it need to be packed like a regular bearing?

I can't find info anywhere. the service manuals on Nicoclub don't mention the auto hub internals at all.

PFDSA · 03-02-2021, 07:36 AM

Sorry for borrowing this topic.

My 1988 D21 also has automatic hubs. Almost never use them, only when it snows, so never did any maintenance on it, neither know what kind of maintenance the previous owner did.

You guys said that it should be greased...What kind of grease should I use? should I replace or do anything else to maintain them?
Sadly buying manual ones isnt an option (too expensive).

dvdswan · 03-02-2021, 05:14 PM

Wheel bearing grease. Just a light coat.

PFDSA · 03-03-2021, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvdswan

Wheel bearing grease. Just a light coat.

Thanks!
Better do some preventive maintenance before it lets me down.

cadillacdude1975 · 03-04-2021, 06:07 AM

They will eventually fail. My pathfinder had that problem. I bought some manual hubs and never looked back…..except to toss the automatic ones in the trash.

PFDSA · 03-19-2021, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillacdude1975

They will eventually fail. My pathfinder had that problem. I bought some manual hubs and never looked back…..except to toss the automatic ones in the trash.

That's good to know, thanks for the info. Let's suppose my hubs break while I'm out there, would the truck become impossible to run? Or would it be possible/damaging to run in 2WD while I was waiting for new hubs?

chrismtb · 04-08-2021, 11:18 PM

They could either fail locked or unlocked. If they fail unlocked, you can't use 4x4 because your axle isn't locked to the hubs. If they fail locked, your wheels are stuck locked to the axle, but you can still shift the transfer case into 2 wheel driver The drawback is that you are putting more wear on the axles and front diff and adding a bit more resistance by having them spin, but it shouldn't leave you stranded. I've been known to just shift out of 4x4 and leave the hubs locked for a quick road trip back to camp, rather than stopping the whole crew so I can get out and unlock my manual hubs.

FWIW, I was having issues with my stock auto hubs disengaging occasionally and went with Warn Premium manual hubs (Part #28739). They have been great and problem free. The only drawback is the you or your passenger need to jump and out engage / disengage them when you are going to put it in 4x4. I definitely prefer knowing for certain that they are locked or unlocked.

chrismtb · 04-08-2021, 11:48 PM

If anyone needs some questionable auto hubs for parts, I posted some in the free thread in the marketplace. Just pay shipping if you aren't local.

cadillacdude1975 · 04-09-2021, 03:59 AM

Once upon a time there was probably a service kit available for the auto hubs. The failure rate with age is high.

03-29-2020, 06:44 AM	#11
fatleon Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 29 Vehicle: 87 hardbody Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I only had a problem with my auto hubs once. I had opposite corners up on high spots, so the suspension was fully twisted. And I was rocking back and forth trying to get enough traction to get free. That rocking caused one hub to buzz, like grinding gears. It seemed to work fine after that, once I gave it a chance to lock up more gently, they lock when the axle turns and the wheel doesn't. So there's a little lag as they have to take up that slack. So it's possible they'll skip instead of locking if you give them a quick bump like I was doing. I did get a set of manual hubs soon after that tho, so I don't know how much I messed em up. I've read they can get jammed up when the grease in them dries up. They work fine for mild stuff, getting through a little snow or something, but if you can upgrade I'd say do it. __________________ Plank Williams Sr

04-26-2020, 03:31 AM	#12
PoodlePuncher Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Minnesota Posts: 159 Vehicle: 95 XE Thanks: 14 Thanked 21 Times in 20 Posts	Hijacking this thread, because i can't find the answer, and it's technically on topic... Disassembled my auto hubs to clean/inspect them, I know not to goop everything up... but he large clutch... bearing... clutched bearing? does it need to be packed like a regular bearing? I can't find info anywhere. the service manuals on Nicoclub don't mention the auto hub internals at all. __________________ '95 4x4 King Cab XE - '16 Veloster Turbo - '00 Durango YouTube

03-02-2021, 05:14 PM	#14
dvdswan Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 5,739 Vehicle: 96 HB Thanks: 223 Thanked 926 Times in 807 Posts	Wheel bearing grease. Just a light coat. __________________ Dave 96 HB XE SAS'd D44 3-link on 35s http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2618002

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-02-2021, 07:36 AM	#13
PFDSA Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Japan Posts: 90 Vehicle: 1988 4x4 D21 Crew cab Diesel Thanks: 101 Thanked 22 Times in 15 Posts	Sorry for borrowing this topic. My 1988 D21 also has automatic hubs. Almost never use them, only when it snows, so never did any maintenance on it, neither know what kind of maintenance the previous owner did. You guys said that it should be greased...What kind of grease should I use? should I replace or do anything else to maintain them? Sadly buying manual ones isnt an option (too expensive).

03-04-2021, 06:07 AM	#16
cadillacdude1975 The Gear Jammer Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Chattanooga, TN Age: 50 Posts: 10,745 Vehicle: 87 VG33 Pathfinder SE 4x4 & 87 D21 SE Thanks: 462 Thanked 1,414 Times in 1,278 Posts	They will eventually fail. My pathfinder had that problem. I bought some manual hubs and never looked back…..except to toss the automatic ones in the trash.

04-08-2021, 11:18 PM	#18
chrismtb Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: San Diego Posts: 11 Vehicle: 1988 D21 4x4 SEV6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	They could either fail locked or unlocked. If they fail unlocked, you can't use 4x4 because your axle isn't locked to the hubs. If they fail locked, your wheels are stuck locked to the axle, but you can still shift the transfer case into 2 wheel driver The drawback is that you are putting more wear on the axles and front diff and adding a bit more resistance by having them spin, but it shouldn't leave you stranded. I've been known to just shift out of 4x4 and leave the hubs locked for a quick road trip back to camp, rather than stopping the whole crew so I can get out and unlock my manual hubs. FWIW, I was having issues with my stock auto hubs disengaging occasionally and went with Warn Premium manual hubs (Part #28739). They have been great and problem free. The only drawback is the you or your passenger need to jump and out engage / disengage them when you are going to put it in 4x4. I definitely prefer knowing for certain that they are locked or unlocked.

04-08-2021, 11:48 PM	#19
chrismtb Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: San Diego Posts: 11 Vehicle: 1988 D21 4x4 SEV6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	If anyone needs some questionable auto hubs for parts, I posted some in the free thread in the marketplace. Just pay shipping if you aren't local.

04-09-2021, 03:59 AM	#20
cadillacdude1975 The Gear Jammer Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Chattanooga, TN Age: 50 Posts: 10,745 Vehicle: 87 VG33 Pathfinder SE 4x4 & 87 D21 SE Thanks: 462 Thanked 1,414 Times in 1,278 Posts	Once upon a time there was probably a service kit available for the auto hubs. The failure rate with age is high.