Is there ANY advantage to vacuum hubs?
- RiverRatJimny
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So i've got my Jimny back from MOT last week. It had the kingpin bearings and seals done both sides. Yay! Now I've got no 4x4. Boo! Just a flashing light. It's a manual stick for the transfer - no switch (1998 Jimny). I guess it'll be to do with the vacuum system on the front hubs? (although I haven't looked and haven't taken it back to the garage that did the MOT). I might just go ahead and get some freewheeling hubs - as far as I can see there is no disadvantage to free wheeling hubs. Seem much more reliable to me. Is there any reason I should stay with the vacuum system?
Questions- Is installation easy enough? What happens to the vacuum pipes? I'm looking at getting the AVM hubs.
Thanks
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- jackonlyjack
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Fitting is an easy process
Vac pipes can be removed or left in place If you remove just blank off whats left
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So check they have put the pipes back (in the correct order) or if they have damaged the flexible pipe or metal pipe during the work. Not blaming them, they are old pipes and fittings so easy to damage during the work if not careful.
Also it's possible they packed the vacuum hub with grease if not aware of the Jimny's operation, this will also stop it working. You could remove the vacuum hub and check it's fairly grease free.
As to the good and bad:-
Pro -
You can engage when you want from the comfort of your seat
So long as the pipes are ok (they rust), for the majority it is a reliable system.
Con
It's likely to fail just when you need it, particular if the system is not used much and the rust has set in
It's more complex (harder to fix) than a set of manual Free Wheel hubs, the easy fix option.
Hope you get it fixed, but nothing wrong with manual AVM if you want to go this route.
Mike
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Dreadnaught (black 2011)
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Vacuum system and hubs must be maintained as the manual hubs as well. With the wrong lube they will stick when the temperature creeps down to minus 15 C both manual and auto hubs.
2005 Jimny M16A VVT, 235 BFG MT, 2" Trailmaster, 17%/87% high/low gears.
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Have a look through the posts from the last few weeks as there's one on how to block the vacuum pipes to stop the light flashing.
I have fixed hubs, which is no different from leaving manual hubs in locked all the time.
As for the grease thickening up, this isn't an issue in the UK. Grease will harden over time anywhere. A regrease every 5 years is not much hassle, or less often.
Or fix your ones as per my guide at the top of the technical section.
Kirkynut
The underdog often starts the fight, and occasionally the upper dog deserves to win - Edgar Watson Howe.
My Jimny Thread Here: www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum/8-my-ji...on-continues?start=0
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Out of curiosity, does anyone know the real difference between the AVM 457 and 457 High Performance (black vs red)?
www.ks-international.com/free-wheel-hub-manual-pair-6423.html
www.ks-international.com/free-wheel-hub-...air-manual-6424.html
Are the red ones worth an extra £30, also, KS international is the best place to get AVM hubs right? They seem a good 10-15£ cheaper than everywhere else.
205/75r15 General Grabber AT3s, 40mm spacer lift, 15x6 ET5 steel modulars, Ignis Recaros, Green Stuff pads, Osram Nightbreaker bulbs
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- jackonlyjack
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and i have pushed them hard off-road

Member sniper has AVM red one's fitted
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KS mckenzie is the cheapest spot to get the red tops, probably the normal ones as well. Good quick service in my experience as well

J999 MNY, ULYSSES M18 VVT
Pickup/tipper, R7me gbox & 4.3 Rocklobster, 31" Toyo MT, 2x ARB Locker diffs, 4" lift, Recaro's, Caged, etc
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TrailMaster 2" suspension lift kit
Flo-Flex castor corrected polybushes
Kumho KL71 tyres
Dotz Dakar wheels
AVM manual hubs
Jimnybits all types of guards
Defender 1 steering damper
Pumpkin 6.2" Android & TomTom Go
MAD Individual seat cover
ORA radius arm chassiss mount guards
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Dreadnaught (black 2011)
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Is that good or bad in comparison to other types or makes available?Lambert wrote: My last set gave 5 years of service before a bearing surface failed.
Would have expected them to be fit and forget items.
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