Locking Hubs

[$3k_short]

I know that it has most likely been discussed before but the search is not giving me the answers I need, so I figured I would ask.

Can anyone tell me the truth about locking hubs on lifted R50's, do they help or not? Any discussion of firsthand pros/cons would be appreciated. Additionally, I have read that some people say that they help relieve stress on the CV joints of our vehicles.. anyone care to elaborate on this? Thanks in advance, still trying to get my facts straight before I go spending my hard earned money.

-Toby

[88pathoffroad]

They DO help and give you better gas mileage to boot. The stock setup is configured to spin the CV's all the time, even in 2WD. R50's have drive flanges at the end of each CV locking the wheel to the CV fulltime. That means that the front diff, driveshaft and CV's all need to be pushed into motion by the rest of the drivetrain even though they're not being used(in 2WD). Putting on manual locking hubs allows you to disconnect the CV's and front drivetrain with the hubs unlocked, thereby reducing rotating mass and the extra power expended by the engine to push the front drivetrain into motion.

When you lift an R50, the CV's are at more of an angle than they would be stock, so by not spinning them all the time you WILL reduce wear on them. Good stuff.

If you have the All-Mode setup though, I would NOT suggest using manual hubs unless you're VERY careful about when you turn 4WD on. Manual hubs MUST BE LOCKED when using the All-Mode 4WD system. If you were to be driving at 25 MPH and switch to 4WD, the center clutch/coupler that sends power to the front wheels will attempt to engage while the front driveshaft and diff are stationary, resulting in some fairly severe grinding and possible damage.

Check into NPORA for more offroad-oriented info on Pathfinders... http://npora.ipbhost.com

[$3k_short]

88pathfinder, thanks for the informative post, really helps out. Do you have any idea of what type of average gas mileage people save with these added? The CV joint relief might be enough to sell me, but better gas mileage that makes a difference will actually push me over the top.

[fueler]

probably averages about a solid 2 mpg savings, give or take the hubs will pay for themselves within months, and much less wear on your axles, I would use them if they weren't problematic with the AUTO transfer case

[$3k_short]

Awesome info, thanks again. I am assuming that by problematic you mean if you accidentally swap into 4wd with your hubs in the wrong position? how much of a PITA is it to install these things?

[fueler]

No, by problematic i mean the hubs dont work right if you have the "AUTO" transfer case. That transfer case is mainly lubed by a mechanical oil pump, which is run off the front wheels/axles spinning. (There is a small secondary electric pump that operates when the car is standing still) So the people who put locking hubs on a QX4 with auto transfer case, end up with a rapidly blinking "4x4" light on the gauges, because the computer senses a malfunction. Long story short, they shouldnt be used with the "AUTO" transfer case as you will probably cause damage to the transfer case.

[nissandoms47]

They should test this myth out on mythbusters so we can finally get the real truth.. haha

[pixel41]

No, by problematic i mean the hubs dont work right if you have the "AUTO" transfer case. That transfer case is mainly lubed by a mechanical oil pump, which is run off the front wheels/axles spinning. (There is a small secondary electric pump that operates when the car is standing still) So the people who put locking hubs on a QX4 with auto transfer case, end up with a rapidly blinking "4x4" light on the gauges, because the computer senses a malfunction. Long story short, they shouldnt be used with the "AUTO" transfer case as you will probably cause damage to the transfer case.

Sorry man, I'm slow. This thread has some great info but can you clarify what you mean by "AUTO" transfer case? Do you mean the "All Mode" 4x4 selection that you can switch to on the dash of the Pathfinder LE's (and i'm guessing QX4's?). I've got an '03 Pathy SE with auto transmission but a stick shifter for 4WD....not the switch on the dash and no option for the "All Mode" 4WD. Does mine have this AUTO transfer case?

[SnowSurfLax]

Nope, no knobby, no AUTO.

If you have to physically shift a transfer case via a stick, you do not have the part time AWD feature on your rig and are free and clear to run the manual hubs. You lucky dog!

[jimmyzzer]

worth the 160 you wont be waisting your money.

[jimmyzzer]

thats what the cv axles look like when lifted.you do get a little better mpg.i get about 20 more miles out of a tank of fuel.

[jimmyzzer]

Awesome info, thanks again. I am assuming that by problematic you mean if you accidentally swap into 4wd with your hubs in the wrong position? how much of a PITA is it to install these things?

easy to put on less than an hour to put on.all you need is the socket to unbolt the cap and a pair of snap ring pliers.

[timmack]

anybody know where to get a set for an '02? all the places i have found stop at '01.

[jimmyzzer]

if you look on ac its says 90 to 2004 pathfinder.but warns site only to 01 but looks like old chart.i would call ac and ask them.

[pathfinder_top_gear5]

Sorry man, I'm slow. This thread has some great info but can you clarify what you mean by "AUTO" transfer case? Do you mean the "All Mode" 4x4 selection that you can switch to on the dash of the Pathfinder LE's (and i'm guessing QX4's?). I've got an '03 Pathy SE with auto transmission but a stick shifter for 4WD....not the switch on the dash and no option for the "All Mode" 4WD. Does mine have this AUTO transfer case?

Does anyone what our setup is called?

I have a 04 SE, but with lot of the luxuries of the LE, like bose audio system, heated seat and all that

[KoukiS14]

Anyone know how likely damage to the CV will be after a lift, and without using locking hubs (since I can't do it with all-mode)? I'm afraid of busting something, but if I thought I had no worries for 80k miles I wouldn't care so much.

[voolover]

I called Warn about the application listing ending at 2001....They said that the part # stays the same unless there was a physical change to the part itself.

Btw, I purchased a set for our 2002 SE thru Amazon a couple of months ago for $151 shipping included! Haven't noticed a MPG increase around town, but, a 20mile range increase on long trips. Installed 'em mainly to save the boot/cv assembly.. hope this helps..

[timmack]

definitely, thanks for the info. ill be ordering a set soon, hopefully it will fit through the hole in the middle of my wheel

[timmack]

lol warn already updated their site, nice work. but it only lists 3.3 and 3.0 engines as options, wonder if theyll work on the 3.5? ill call em tomorrow and see.

http://www.4x4parts.com/public...d.jpg

[KoukiS14]

well voolover put them on an 02, and since anything 01+ is VQ34DE (3.5) it'll work

[timmack]

good point kouki, i didnt think about that