I see alot of people switch from automatic to manual hubs, why is this? Is the auto hibd weaker in design? If it's working well is there a reason to change it out?
Thanks
Jim

Nothing is wrong with Auto Hubs they work well.  I've owned two Sidekicks, two Grand Vitaras, two XL-7s and a Samurai and I've only had the Auto Hub fail on one of them. 

With that said I've also owned numerous Ford 4x4s all with various configurations of auto hubs over the years.  The auto hub configuration is a nice option it works well in most applications as you can slip it into or out of 4WD without getting out of your rig, but one of the drawbacks to the auto hub is you never know if in the auto configuration whether the hubs are engaged or not as under certian conditions they can fail.  Whereas with manual hubs you have to get out and manually engage the locks and unless you have major problems you know if the hubs are locked or if they are free wheeling.

Under normal operating conditions the Autos will serve you without any problems, but if you are operating under extreme conditions the security of manual hubs would be a better choice as it gives you a positive locking/unlocking system.  It's either locked or it's unlocked.  It's as simple as that.

The other thing with auto hubs is that they can unlock when you don't want them to. Say you having a go at a big hill and can't quite make it so you back down a little ways to have another go. In the meantime while you've been reversing your auto hubs may have unlocked and you are now in two wheel drive and don't know it..... see the problem?

The other thing with auto hubs is that they can unlock when you don't want them to. Say you having a go at a big hill and can't quite make it so you back down a little ways to have another go. In the meantime while you've been reversing your auto hubs may have unlocked and you are now in two wheel drive and don't know it..... see the problem?

Not only are you in 2wd, but when you go forward and mash the gas, the wheels start spinning some (from being pushed) and the hubs engage again......with the front CV's already spinning!! *BOOM* there goes the hub or CV!

I thought my auto hubs were great, until on a trail ride I noticed the "click-click" as they spontaneously disengaged every time I backed up. I switched to manuals shortly thereafter. They're not as convenient, but you can't beat the manual hubs for dead-simple and reliable operation! 

   I've yet to have any trouble with mine, even when backing up and hitting a hill again.  I have been rough on them at times but having an auto trans. might help since I don't get the roll back.  I wouldn't change them if they're not giving you any trouble.

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll leave it until I blow one up.

Nothing is wrong with Auto Hubs they work well.  I've owned two Sidekicks, two Grand Vitaras, two XL-7s and a Samurai and I've only had the Auto Hub fail on one of them.

GrandVitara and XL-7 don't have auto hubs they have that axle disconnect in the dif assembly.
(unless you put autos on there or are in a country that has auto hubs on there)

Quote from: W7ACT on April 17, 2006, 11:51:00 AM

Nothing is wrong with Auto Hubs they work well.  I've owned two Sidekicks, two Grand Vitaras, two XL-7s and a Samurai and I've only had the Auto Hub fail on one of them.

GrandVitara and XL-7 don't have auto hubs they have that axle disconnect in the dif assembly.
(unless you put autos on there or are in a country that has auto hubs on there)

Thank you for the correction I learned something new the Vitara's and the3 XL-7's are/or were all stock.  All I know is they have worked for me, but with that said I haven't abused them like I did the Sidekick or my Samurai.  Now I've had the Samurai into some pretty tight places up here.

I USE AUTO IN WINTER AND MANUAL IN SUMMER, CAN'T STAND GETTING OUT IN THE CHICAGO COLD.

I was browing thru the january 06 copy of the Petersen's 4wheel mag and there's an article in there of swapping out the auto hubs to warn hubs.  I recognized the wheel in the photo that it was actually a tracker they were doing this for.  Aparently warn has some replacements for the auto's for about $100.  Maybe better than searching for used hubs??

Aparently warn has some replacements for the auto's for about $100. 

Superwinch and I think Milemarker has some also. Warn also has hub fuses thats supposed to strip teeth before you break something in the front end. People with them report that the fuses are too strong and the front end still breaks before the fuses strip.
http://www.warn.com/truck/axles/hub_fuse.shtml   

The main problem I have seen reported about the aftermarket hubs such as the Warn, Superwinch and others is the mounting bolts. The stock manual hubs use bolts with conical shaped split ring washers that fit into the cone-shaped hole on the hub's mounting flange. As you tighten the bolts, the cones expand, effectively locking them in place very securely. The aftermarket manual hubs and even the stock auto hubs do not have these cones. The most they have is a split ring style lockwasher. These come loose, even when torqued correctly and in one case even locktighted, allowing the bolts to back out and if left un-noticed, can allow the hub to come off while you're driving down the road. I have heard of at least one such occurence happing while the person was driving on the highway. That hub was never seen again! LOL!

In my opinion, the absolute best upgrade to get manual hubs on your Track/kick is to find a nice pair of stock Samurai manual hubs(they have a stainless steel body, the stock Track/kick manuals have alloy bodies), get the right bolts with the conical lock washers and use a thick gasket to mount them. Without the thick gasket, the back of the hub will pinch the lockring that holds the end of your cv shaft into the hub, effectively locking the hubs even when the hub is set to free...

The stock manual hubs use bolts with conical shaped split ring washers that fit into the cone-shaped hole on the hub's mounting flange.

Mine aren't they are OE and marked 'Made in USA', I have heard that they are made by Warn but can't substantiate that. They are held on by 6 allen head (cap head?) bolts, no washers. Never given me a problem.