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Auto-hubs: signs they've gone bad

41K views 24 replies 14 participants last post by  Mikeguy2002 
#1 ·
That Monroe ad is very irritating.

Anyway, reference this post on my mystery noise:

http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=12842

I think I've got a suspect: my right side auto-locking hub. So, now I want to know all about auto-hubs on Gen1s. When they go, what goes with them, how extensive can the damage be or is it just replacement of the hub? What are the signs that it's gone?

I noticed more sound coming from that side driving after shifting to 4HI from a stop. The same goes when reversing to disengage the autohubs. Instead of the usual soft metallic 'thunk' there's more of a 'ping-ping thunk' from that side.

And opinions needed: replace with another auto-hub (if indeed the case) or switch to a Warn manual locking hub. I'm a casual wheeler and this is my daily drive so I don't know what difference the Warns will make besides the inconvenience of getting out to turn the dials.

Thoughts?
 
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#2 ·
Advertisers are not supposed to use those type ads here but occasionally one will sneak in. I've already reported it so hopefully it will get removed asap.

For the 1st gen xterras, going with Warn manual hubs doesn't gain you all that much except for MAYBE durability. Unlike most vehicles with auto-locking hubs, the xterra actually disengages the axle instead of just the wheel.

Here's a kicker for you, the hub that is making all the noise is ACTUALLY your good hub. What you are hearing is the axle not completely disengaging because the bad hub won't let the other axle completely disengage. The good news is all you have to do to replace them is remove the 8 allen-head bolts, pop the bad one off and put a good one on. Simple as that.
 
#3 ·
And opinions needed: replace with another auto-hub (if indeed the case) or switch to a Warn manual locking hub. I'm a casual wheeler and this is my daily drive so I don't know what difference the Warns will make besides the inconvenience of getting out to turn the dials.

Thoughts?
Manual hubs engage and disengage without moving the truck. If you rock crawl autos will unlock for about a foot when you back up to reset your line, manuals stay locked.
From what I’ve heard an auto hub will fail before our CV, thus saving the more expensive and labor intensive part. I have wheeled with two different guys with Warn manual hubs who don’t like them because of the common bolt failure they have both experienced. They have since changed out the hardware to grade 8. The Warn manual hubs are taller therefore stick out further than the stock hubs making them more vulnerable when rock climbing when used with stock rims.

All things to consider before changing from stock auto to Warn manuals. From what you’ve said about your wheeling habits I’d stick with replacing the one bad auto hub.


I have a set of AEV manuals, OEM for a ’96 Hardbody, if you can find a set of them cheap, I like them best.
 
#4 ·
Not too bad on the wallet damage then. It'll be about $200 CDN after the exchange rate + shipping to get a new one. So, driver side noise means passenger side is the one that's pooched. I wouldn't have thought of that.
 
#5 ·
Another question: time bomb until replaced or no? I've wheeled several times since what I figure was the initial incident (the same time I broke a leaf). No problems on the road, just the noise when I turn. Safe to keep wheeling with it like this or do I risk damaging the final drive?
 
#6 ·
Finally got around to taking the hubs off. Suspect hub is indeed screwed: the inner ring is off kilter. The other side is fine. I'll check with wreckers to see if I can get a new one, otherwise it's a $200 part online.

4x4 still engages and disengages though and after bashing the gimpy hub a few times I hear fewer pings when I turn.
 
#7 ·
I have two good auto hubs off my 2000 Xterra if you are interested.
They didn't go bad at all in fact they were only engaged maybe 6 times in the snow over the years. I was just bored and put the warn manual hubs on a few months back.

Make me an offer for both of them. You'll have a spare and replaced hub for much less than the cost of a single new hub.
 
#8 ·
was the sound you heard sort of a clicking noise?

if hes not interested in those hubs i might be
 
#9 ·
was the sound you heard sort of a clicking noise?

if hes not interested in those hubs i might be
How does $125 for both hubs plus $15 for shipping sound? Both hubs are complete with all 12 allen bolts included. One of the hubs has a little corrosion where the auto-hub logo was. Hubs were removed at 70k miles.
These hubs have never been off road, my xterra has never been off road.
Let me know.
 
#10 ·
Still waiting on the wreckers. Dibs if grantypanties doesn't out dib me on the dibs.

One question though: I see on the Nissan Courtesy Parts site that there's a difference between the Gen1 SE and XE hubs (price and number of internal parts.) I have an SE, so would putting an XE on be compatible or is it just a difference in design from one trim to the next?
 
#11 ·
was the sound you heard sort of a clicking noise?
Yeah, a clicking noise on turns. Taken me months to track it down because I thought it was something in the steering/drivetrain/engine/etc and exhausted my options. Then the lightbulb came on and I figured it was the hubs. Confirmed now.
 
#12 ·
Still waiting on the wreckers. Dibs if grantypanties doesn't out dib me on the dibs.

One question though: I see on the Nissan Courtesy Parts site that there's a difference between the Gen1 SE and XE hubs (price and number of internal parts.) I have an SE, so would putting an XE on be compatible or is it just a difference in design from one trim to the next?
These are gen1 se hubs, how about 120 for both, shipping included
 
#13 ·
If I hear nothing back from the shop by Friday night it's a deal. I'll PM you for details then.
 
#14 ·
Just found I've got a blown hub, anyone with a couple auto lockers?
 
#15 · (Edited)
I have a set of trail spairs, auto locking hubs $50.00 plus shipping and they are yours. send me a PM if you are interested.
 
#19 ·
Can I just replace the bad hub or is it best to replace both at the same time? The prevailing logic is when you have pairs of ANYTHING to just replace both at the same time...
The issue is I've got one bad hub and I can only find ONE for sale out there.
Thoughts?
 
#20 ·
Just replace one, you'll be good.
www.car-parts.com has some used ones on their used parts search under Lockout Hub, 4X4
 
#21 ·
Auto hubs

Hi, I am not a member yet, but I was looking at this site to see if I should change my auto-hubs on my '00 xterra to manual when I ran across your comment about having 2 good used auto hubs. Do you still have them, because I am definitely interested if you do. Please advise, My name is Raymond Wright, and I live in NJ.
 
#22 ·
Auto-Hubs

Hi, I ran across your post and am looking for auto hubs for my '00 Xterra. I just joined tonight so I could send you this message, I hope I did it right and you get this. Can you tell me if you still have them and if so how much you want for them. My hubs are good but the part they call the fixed cam something, a plastic and spring type washer, has gone bad on the right side. The only way to fix it is to purchase an entire hub from Nissan, as you can't get it from a parts house. I can't afford that so I thought I would ask about your hubs. Please advise me as to the availability of your hubs and thank you for your time, Ray
 
#23 ·
Auto-Hubs

I have two good auto hubs off my 2000 Xterra if you are interested.
They didn't go bad at all in fact they were only engaged maybe 6 times in the snow over the years. I was just bored and put the warn manual hubs on a few months back.

Make me an offer for both of them. You'll have a spare and replaced hub for much less than the cost of a single new hub.
I know I am doing this wrong, but if you get this, I would like to buy your good hubs for my 2000 Xterra. I thought I sent you a message but am not at all sure I did it right. I f you get this, thanks for your time, Ray
 
#24 ·
Justagirl

Hey guys, lady needs a little help here. I have a 2002 Nissan Xterra SE with the supercharged V6 that has nickel and dimed me nearly to death. Just when I thought I had her all fixed up 2 new problems have popped up. The first is a hub problem of sorts. I do not go off road ever but I do use the 4 wheel drive in the winter her in British Columbia. A few weeks ago the drivers side started making a really loud noise like there was a spring in the hub winding up and getting tighter and tighter and then 'boom' a big bang that sounded like my 4 wheel drive had tried to kick in but got kicked back out instead and then it would start all over again with the winding up. This was while in 2 wheel drive. Today I got a good used automatic locking hub from the wreckers and it is still doing the same thing though only intermittently now and not at all when I am in 4high? Also, the tranny seems to be acting up now too between 2nd and 3rd gear it almost feels like it slips into neutral temporarily, revs higher than normal and then goes into 3rd (it is an automatic). my son says I just need to take it to Nissan and have the tranny reprogrammed because whoever had it before me may have had it programmed for towing something? Thoughts and opinions very much appreciated here.
 
#25 ·
Has anyone else besides me ever replaced their defective Xterra auto hubs with the drive flanges from a 2003 ish generation Pathfinder?
They slip right on and no moving parts to fail. Same axle splines and six bolt holes line up. Only thing is I had to run to Home Depot for shorter bolts (M8 1.25 pitch 35mm) because they don’t stick out as much.
I grabbed a pair off a junk Pathfinder at the U pick it Auto salvage yard when I couldn’t find a set of manual hubs. Works perfectly, but keep in mind the halfshafts and driveshaft will always spin.
 
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