Corroded Vacuum System Pipes

Yep, I'm having more problems.... I really should get round to repainting the car a citrusy yellow as I'm sure I've bought a bit of a lemon, but (like the missus) I'm gonna stick by it despite its many, many faults

I had the car down the main st[strike]d[/strike]ealers this morning and was told the vacuum pipes are corroded and require replacing at a cost of over 300 quid anyway, once I'd realised it wasnt April the 1st and that they were being serious I thought I'd consult the Oracle of all things Jimny, you guys , and see what options/alternatives are available to me, the way I see it I have two options:

1. Get manual locking hubs (what would be a good price for these?)
2. Get new/recon pipes from somewhere and fit

What would you guys advise?

Cheers

.........oh, and the transfer chains slipping *sigh*

Have a look at this Link , and try searching the forum.

If the search function annoys you (as it does me), open up google.co.uk, put in the words you want to search for followed by "site:bigjimny.com" this uses googles much much more powerful search engine to do the work for you.
For example to search for vacuum pipes go to Google and type in:
vacuum pipes site:bigjimny.com

HTH

Jimny_Al.

Both options 1 and 2 are straight forward and a lot cheaper than the Dealers version!.

Probably the easiest is to change to manual hubs. Dave over at Bits4Vits sells a bolt on and go solution using my adaptor rings www.bits4vits.co.uk/store/jimny/free-whe...-rings/prod_455.html

The only extra required being the Torx head to undo the existing bolts on your hubs, but as you are not going to put the originals back on then you could "graunch" them off with an old socket. You might want to play with the vacuum solenoids to stop the warning light flashing on the dashboard, but I find the flashing a good reminder to lock/unlock the hubs anyway.

For the second option just get some brake pipe, microbore plumbing pipe or flexible vacuum pipe and plumb it in.

My old SJ410 spent 89k miles on fixed front hubs and this did not cause any wear issues - so as a temporary solution to give 4WD whenever you want it, there must be a way of fixing the auto hubs - maybe a little chemical metal on the splines?

I've not studied the insides of an auto hub to know what is needed to keep it locked but it can't be too hard. Mine got thrown across the garage when I got my Jimny and as a temporary solution I fitted fixed hubs supplied by KAP by ground down front wheel bearing nuts to avoid the need for spacer rings.

I then waited for a second hand pair of manual freewheeling hubs to pop up on difflock.

I can't say i've ever noticed the extra drag of the fixed hubs on either my SJ or my Jim Jam and as I say - the SJ did 89k miles on fixed hubs.

So there's a temporary solution that could cost you just the price of some chemical metal.

Kirkynut

If you just put your finger inside the hub and wiggle the centre moves out and it will stay locked with the vacuum disconnected.

So at least they will drive in case of snow or something.

Morning Gents,

Thanks for all the fantastic advice, you guys have been brilliant!

After a further bit of research and a chat with a local 4x4 specialist I have decided I'm gonna ditch the vacuum based system and go with the more reliable SJ manual hubs from bits4vits, thanks for the link Martin. I'll probably get the parts ordered and fitted next week when I get the car back from the garage (front bearings collapsed )

....Wish me luck