[tonyevans]

1) Can the wheel bearings on the front hubs be adjusted or do you have to replace the bearings if there is some play (Too Much).
2) Can you fit free wheeling hubs and will the standard hubs fit? As in Sierra or earlier model (1994) Vitara.
3) Is there any REAL advantage of freewheel hubs on this car?

Any help/ideas/views appreciated.

[GeckoXL7]

Manual Hubs of a Vitara will fit and you will notice a slightly better fuel economy and turning circle, just remember if there locked or not as if not locked and put in 4x4 i have had my front diff make a loud clunk noise.

The ring on the Hubs can be tightened to a extent but if still have play best to replace. I notice 1mm play is enough to make front rotors grind when turning. You can get the wheel bearing tool of ebay (from a forrum Member)

[tonyevans]

GeckoXL7 wrote:

Manual Hubs of a Vitara will fit and you will notice a slightly better fuel economy and turning circle, just remember if there locked or not as if not locked and put in 4x4 i have had my front diff make a loud clunk noise.

The ring on the Hubs can be tightened to a extent but if still have play best to replace. I notice 1mm play is enough to make front rotors grind when turning. You can get the wheel bearing tool of ebay (from a forrum Member)

Thanks for the info - I can only find 1 and it is from the USA?

[GeckoXL7]

This one here from ben

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Suzuki-Vitar ... 19e82896bb

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Suzuki-Vitara-wheel-bearing-spindle-hub-lock-nut-tool-/111269156539?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19e82896bb

[tonyevans]

AH! I searched Grand Vitara - Thank you. Today has been a learning curve.

[zoukshin]

2) Can you fit free wheeling hubs and will the standard hubs fit? As in Sierra or earlier model (1994) Vitara. > as GeckoXL7 said yes you can.
As many people know, if you get them off a vitara, get those bolts with cone washers
I made the conversion recently, cutting gaskets from scratch even. If you don't break bolts (like I did) it-s a straight bolt-on procedure.
For sierras, you need coily sierra hubs. The leafy ones won't fit from what I'm told.

As for the 4x4 system to engage, the front diff with air actuator expects all 4 wheels and all the shafts to rotate at the same speed. If you have manual hubs not engaged, your front shafts and diff won't be rotating at all, causing havoc on your transmission if you switch to 4wd on your T-case.
GeckoXL7, that might explain your noise but somehow I would have expected it to happen on the front ? just my .02

[Built4thrashing]

If your looking to fix the front end of a GV to make it bullet proof there are a few things you need to do.

1. If you don't already have one replace thefront diff with a steel one.

2. Remove GV centre and replace the Air operated hemisphere with a Vitara one. Make sure Side Gear spline count is the same. (perfect time to fit a locker)

3. Replace R&P if required to match rear ratio (Good idea to do this now if going larger tyres)

4. Plug air inlet hole in diff and install support bush to drivers side and new axle seals.

5 Install new diff into housing and fit to GV.

6. Remove Air actuator pump and bridge red and pink wires.

7. Fit free wheeling hubs


Enjoy.

[tonyevans]

It is just for towing my large camper trailer to easy to get to places - 99% of it's driving will be on tar. I have other Suzuki's for off roading

[Built4thrashing]

tonyevans wrote:

It is just for towing my large camper trailer to easy to get to places - 99% of it's driving will be on tar. I have other Suzuki's for off roading

But the GV does it with Air conditioned comfort....

[tonyevans]

Built4thrashing wrote:

tonyevans wrote:

It is just for towing my large camper trailer to easy to get to places - 99% of it's driving will be on tar. I have other Suzuki's for off roading

But the GV does it with Air conditioned comfort....

But not as cool as an LJ50