bozo newbie idiot question!!

[lightningad]

whats a freewheel hub?

and do surfs have them?

i feel i should know this but the old grey matter is feeling a bit stoopid today!

[Gamedawn]

A freewheel hub disconnects the front wheel from the drive shaft so that the minimal amount of metal is turning when you are in 2 wheel drive. There are two types: manual, which you have to turn a knob to operate, and automatic, which operates, ... er ... automatically. Auto hubs can be a bit cranky so manual hubs are preferred for hard use.

Surfs have what is known as an ADD (automatic disconnecting differential) which goes part way towards this by disconnecting one of the front drive shafts in the diff. This means that the front diff is not doing anything but all the metal is still turning. Not sure if some of the later models also have auto freewheeling hubs - maybe someone else can fill this bit in.

[lightningad]

oh - so they are not something i need concern myself with then!!

thanks Roger.

[TonyN]

Not sure if some of the later models also have auto freewheeling hubs - maybe someone else can fill this bit in.

No Surf or 4Runner with IFS had hubs from the factoy. All ADD.

[NiftyNev]

Easy to see if you have Manual Hubs fitted.They will have a section that has to be turned manually to lock or unlock.This will be marked on the hub.

ADD has a plate metal plate on hub which has internal splines to lock the drive shaft to the hub permanently.

I believe Toyota had Auto hubs on very early 4WDs but discontinued this because they were very unreliable.

Neville

[*Turandot*]