new tracker owner with some questions

[stevelknievel]

just picked up a tracker for my trail only toy. and 2 questions
how do i remove the rear axles?
and my locking hubs are messed up, can i just lock them???

[garcia]

Originally Posted by stevelknievel

just picked up a tracker for my trail only toy. and 2 questions
how do i remove the rear axles?
and my locking hubs are messed up, can i just lock them???

Excuse me, but, Why do you want to remove the rear axle?
Your differential got worn?

You got auto locking hubs or manual hubs?
Manual hubs seldom get problems unless they are completely rusted out, or worn out.

For auto hubs you may want to lift the car into towers, and watch to see if the CV joints are turning, if they do, your locks are worn.
If not, your transfer case (integral with the gearbox), isn't engaging.

[stevelknievel]

im welding my rear diff.

and they are manual hubs but they are not working properly. and since its always going to be in 4wd i figurd id permanently lock them

[kelikran]

Going permanently offroading? I don't think I would drive around fully locked up, could be kinda hard on things no?

[JJJoseph]

Originally Posted by stevelknievel

my locking hubs are messed up, can i just lock them???

You'll break your transfer case or a driveshaft if you drive locked all the time. There's no center differential in a Sidekick like there is in new AWD SUVs, so something will break. The Sidekick won't even turn properly in 4WD mode, so you usually have to switch to 2WD just to park it. Use 4WD only on slippery surfaces. Anyway, if your locking hubs are U/S, just buy a couple of new hubs. Neither Aisin nor Warn hubs are expensive, so it's not worth mucking around with old hubs.

Many owners are insensitive about their 4WD and really make a mess by driving in 4WD for long distances or turning tightly (causing the front wheels to hop and thump). If you're buying a used Sidekick, check every piece of the system carefully. The locking hubs are cheap to replace, but the transfer case isn't.

[jtgh]

great nfo Joseph.

for those decoding , he is wanting to HOME brew weld his spider/side gears , locking the
left and rear axles together like a go cart.
No more side to side differencial action. so when he turns the slower wheel will SLIDE.
off road , and slow (crawler mode) , ok. but at speed , things will break.
I recommend buying a nice set of Clutch pack Positraction lockers.
something nice and predictable.
there are lots of choices.
some even have a solenoid activated locker.
My 04 Chev PU had a EATON inertial locker, really nice . Locks when it detects spin.

[ssanoobab]

If the hubs have not been engaged for a long time They might just be stuck. Open them up and make sure that they are well lubed and free to move. I would do this first and if that doesn't help then buy some new hubs.

[jtgh]

best is to :
1: remove
2: clean in solvents all grease
3: sand blast all rust out of them. ( is use bead blast or walnut shell blast)
4: make sure springs are not rusted thru, suzi no sell internal parts, sorry.
5: lightly grease with quality marine GP grease, do not pack.
SOP

see my hub page, sig link,follow to hubs. bingo

[Tracker Tommy]

Auto hubs are so much better & maintence free.

[jtgh]

no they are not maintenace free, that is not true.
all hubs need to be greased . moisture gets inside .

when you run the car they get hot. when they cool they suck in water due to the
vacuum created by cooling hub. after a while it gets nasty in there.
its on the pm schedule to clean them.
the auto hubs are weaker.
plus and minus on both side but the are both high maintenance items.

we get an equal number of posts here for hub locks going south.
IMHO, YMMV.

if you have Autos the first thing to lean is how to engage them when stopped and you have now traction. Like on ice. there is a way and it is tricky.
but with manuals, just get out and thow the knobs. no guessing and no praying.

I think that trick is to use the brakes to sumulate traction.
there is a very funny post here about some guy , getting stuck with 1 tire on each end
off the ground ( very rough ground).
he explained how to do it. Both wheels spinning in air, funny for sure.

cheers.