Thread: Free wheeling hubs SWB 1973 SIII

yes

I had free Wheeling hubs in Willy my 109 series 3 wagon.. I replaced them for drive flanges.

I don't think FWH's are as strong as drive flanges or drive members as some peoples say and to be honest I didn't like having to get out of the car to engage them!

Those were the only reasons I got rid of them I don't think it makes any difference to your driveshaft? It's only the hubs themselves that will potentially break.

Having them locked will help with front diff and drive lubrication but they will still only be as strong as FWH

Originally Posted by Andwoo

I had free Wheeling hubs in Willy my 109 series 3 wagon.. I replaced them for drive flanges.
...

Those were the only reasons I got rid of them I don't think it makes any difference to your driveshaft? It's only the hubs themselves that will potentially break.

It has been explained elsewhere and really depends upon how far you drive your vehicle and how well you maintain the lubrication in the slider joint.

The problem is that the shaft finds a natural position. This is usually with the flange at the diff end in the horizontal position because it has less resistance to vertical movement of the front axle. Every time the axle goes up and down the slider joint pushes in and pulls back out, always with the same pressure and wear patterns on the same splines. After thousands of miles (particularly ones used off bitumen frequently) you will find front prop shafts that have very little movement side to side (in the position above) but are sloppy when you move them vertically. IMHO that makes a difference.

If the propshaft is constantly turning as with flanges or locked FWH the wear is even on all sides of the shaft.