4wd Hubs

[TimberMcPherson]

I was looking at a 4wd Mitsubishi Canter, 3 tonne capacity. The thing checked out pretty well and had just been painted, the thing was that they had painted the manual locking wheel hubs, and they were set on "lock". If it had been driven alot with them set like on tarseal (blacktop or bitumen) that would it have done them any harm?

 

[Whiteindustries]

Does it have a 2wd/4wd transfer case?

Hello,if the transfer case was in 2wd it wouldnt have hurt anything more than fuel mileage.If it was in 4wd?That puts allot of stress on the axles and diff on dry pavement.
Hope this helps.Allan

 

[Proj Eng]

locked hubs on pavement

Even if the transfer case was in 2WD, you have the front hubs locked together so there was more tire scrub and more premature wear on items in the front end.
Don't agree? Try unlocking the hubs and turning while moving very slowly, then try it again with the hubs locked up. While not necessarily the worst for wear, it can lead to problems.

Of course Allan, you're right about the more major components in the drivetrain like shafts and transmission not being hurt, but who's to say the previous owner's knew that and always left it in 2WD?

also, how are the bikes running down under? Is it winter there yet?

 

[Whiteindustries]

The what ifs

Hello he does raise a good point how long where they locked in and did he run around with it in 4wd?Tire wear will be obvious,unless it has new rubber then you want to look extra close.I never trusted a used 4x4 with new tires on it (for sale).Bring your jack check for play in the front end,check the seals for leaks,I would even pull the diff plugs if you are serious about the truck to make sure the fluids are topped up etc.Find some dirt Lock in the hubs put in in 4wd turn hard left then hard right listen for clunks,noises etc.If it is a turbo make sure that is in good shape, just the compressor can be exspensive($1,100)+
I guess the bottom line is know what you are buying as much as possible.

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

Originally posted by TimberMcPherson
I was looking at a 4wd Mitsubishi Canter, 3 tonne capacity. The thing checked out pretty well and had just been painted, the thing was that they had painted the manual locking wheel hubs, and they were set on "lock". If it had been driven alot with them set like on tarseal (blacktop or bitumen) that would it have done them any harm?

i would play sneaky ask the owner if he knows what can happen to the truck if the hubs are left on lock! if he seems to know a bit about mechanics and gives you good answers your prob ok if he sounds a complete dummy vigorously check the vehicle out

 

[kiwiclimber]

maybe I am lazy but all my trucks have the hubs in and most are over 200,000 km from new no probs yet.used daily for 4wd in the dirt and 2wd for tarmac.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Thanks for the info, the truck is a jap import, brought over from Japan second hand. 50% of cars and probably 70% of trucks and motorbikes come over after they get to old to register in Japan. In Japan they get a quick shot of paint (over everything including the "clear" radiator resevoir and locking hubs) and then get shipped over. YOu get some real lemons and some real gems. There are alot of 270hp 4wd Mazda 323's around, a mate brought a skyline wreck just to get a complete rear end, when he got the car it still had the engine folded up in the front, he got it out and got it dynoed-just over 550hp,

So this truck is fresh off the boat, so there is no way of learning any history.its front tires are a mix of l a jeep off road type tyre on the left and a road tyre on the right. Its kinda rough but 4wd tipping trucks are hard to come by and very versitile, this ones 22k, done 45,000kms and is a 91.

 

[a_lopa]

i wouldnt be worried by the hubs, ive used this model alot and own a 91 model factory tipper.if the hubs do go watch out for wreckers selling hubs out of mining vehicles.it sounds about the right price IF its a factory tipper.otherwise its 5k too much.keep in mind a new canter with tip is 48k

 

[Proj Eng]

Well, if they're Aisin hubs, i wouldn't worry then. I have those in my '85 Yota pickup and '74 land Cruiser and they take a beating without failure. 226K miles on the '85 too. Complicated to rebuild but last forever.

 

[NeTree]

Them operative question would be whether or not the front differential is limited-slip or not.

Most likely it IS, and therefore the hubs should never be locked on hard surfaces. Check out the front end CLOSELY.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Aussielopa, is yours a 4wd to? Is it LSD?

Thanks for that netree, will look into it (as much as you can at a caryard)

 

[a_lopa]

mines 4x2lsd but ive used 4x4 model ALOT dont worry about the hubs being jap it will be ok 99% ive motors ,heads boxs wateva just dont buy if it dont tip.imo