1. Home
  2. Chevrolet 4x4 Trucks
  3. hubs for 93 suburban k

hubs for 93 suburban k

Since I don't have manually locking hubs, I would have to assume that my truck uses some sort of inertia locking mechanism at each front wheel whenever the front transfer case is engaged. It seems to work pretty well, but I've heard that nothing beats manual locking hubs. I had manual hubs on an older Bronco and it was fantastic in the snow and ice.

1) Is my assumption about the auto-locking hubs correct (that they engage when the transaxle has forward twist, but spin free otherwise similar to a 10 speed bike rear cog)? 2) Does anyone have any opinions about the OEM hubs vs. replacing them with manual locking hubs? I'm going to be tearing the hubs apart this winter or spring, so if it makes sense to replace them, I will. 3) Is there a hybrid out out there that is auto-locking with the option to do a full manual lock?

Thanks,

--Jeff

Reply to
JeffH
Loading thread data ...

No. K trucks don't have transaxles to begin with. Front axle engagement on your 93 is accomplished via an actuator on the front axle housing that moves a locking sleeve into place connecting the inner half of the right front axle shaft to the outer half.

There are kits for Dodge trucks which are similar to your Chevy, the kits are around $1400.00, there may be a kit available for Chevy, never paid much attention though. IIRC, the Dodge kit involves new spindles, new axles, new brake rotors, new wheel bearings and the manual lock out hubs. It does get you double tapered roller bearings that can be serviced like in the good old days.

Late model Fords have vacuum operated automatic hubs with manual override, very maintenance heavy, expensive to fix and failure prone.

Reply to
aarcuda69062

No it doesn't have a locking hub of any sort. GM uses an inter axle disconnect on the right side of the front differential housing. Inside it there is an actuator with a collar that slides to lock the right axle together. Very good system and easily repaired. On the 93 the most common failure is the actuator unit. It uses a wax pellet that expands as it heats up. When it is cold the front axle can take a while to engage. The repair is a newer motor driven actuator, or a cable that you install to manually control the engagement. The cable is actually more expensive than the motor driven unit.

No way to replace them because they don't exist. Also there is nothing in the outer knuckle to tear apart anyway. You have a front hub bearing that is replaced as a unit.

Nope.

Reply to
Steve W.

Thanks for the info guys - I hadn't realized the system was so different from what Ford used - but it makes sense.

--Jeff

Reply to
JeffH

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.