Among the huge number of motorists, there are many who prefer measured driving on asphalt to search for adventures on the roads. Many of these own various UAZ models. These cars are distinguished by the presence of all-wheel drive. In such models as “Patriot”, “Hunter”, “Loaf”, 4x4 drive, plug-in. Why is this all? And to the fact that this drive is not always so necessary. After all, if motorists and drive off-road, then more often on the weekend to take a break from the working office routine.
So, for those situations where all-wheel drive is not needed, they put hubs on the UAZ. The main, and by the way, the only function of these mechanisms is to transmit torque directly from the front-wheel drive to the wheel itself or to disconnect this very connection when there is no need for all-wheel drive.
Why turn off all-wheel drive?
Here, at first glance, everything is very simple. For example, you can take rolled steel with a diameter of about 100 mm and screw it to the wheel hub. Then you can put the wheels on the drive splines. It is sturdy, reliable and simple.
However, here the SUV leaves on the asphalt road and, splashing mud, smoothly begins to gain speed.
The wind is noisy in the ears, the engine and transmission are strained in the cabin, the driver has already thought about the nearest trip over long distances, and the front axle, even before leaving on the asphalt, was turned off by the transfer case lever specially designed for this, continues to rotate. What is it spinning from? From wheel revolutions. When the car is driving on asphalt, the wheels rotate the drive and constant velocity joints. The latter give this energy to the gearbox and front driveshaft.
There is nothing much to worry about. Most off-road vehicles of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant have a reliable transmission, the stability of which will be sufficient even for very long and large hauls in the most difficult conditions. The engine will also be able to easily rotate components that are currently not needed at all.
Why would the engine consume excess fuel, because there is no need for all-wheel drive in this case? Why endure a small, but still a decrease in dynamic performance? Why additionally wear parts that are not needed at the moment? And in the process of movement, various vibrations and noises may appear, which arise as a result of the rotation of heavy masses. If the driver does not need any of this, then the best way would be to disconnect the wheels from the drive. This is the answer to the question of whether hubs are needed on the UAZ Patriot.
Front wheel muffs
That is what these devices are correctly called in the Russian-language documentation. They are most often fixed on the hubs of the front pair of wheels and perform the function of breaking the rigid connection between the wheel and the drive when the driver does not need it.
Wheel hubs on UAZ: device and principle of operation
So, with the functions of these couplings, everything is clear. But how do they work and how are they arranged? To answer these two important questions, you need to know what types they are. For off-road vehicles, manual and automatic devices are used. But this division can be considered conditional.
Hand held
These products are found on most models of off-road cars of almost all manufacturers anywhere in the world. UAZ manual hubs are also very common in our country.
How to use
This mechanism is used in order to reduce wear of parts and assemblies in the front drive axle of the car, as well as to save fuel, if you often have to drive on paved roads. When the driver disconnects the axle, it is also advisable to disconnect the hub on the front wheels from the drive.
How it's done? According to the instructions that are attached to the UAZ "Hunter", the hubs must be transferred to a special position. Often this position is marked on the case of the mechanism. To do this, use a special key to remove the cap, and then unscrew the bolt from the hole in the drive shaft. Then the clutch can be moved to the position where the annular groove on the surface is in the same plane with the end part of the flange. Then screw the cap on. This is true for all off-road UAZ models. So, how to turn off the wheel, understandable. How to enable hubs in UAZ? It must be done by tightening and tightening the bolt securely.
From all this, it can be understood that a coupling is screwed to the end of the drive shaft.
It, in turn, with the help of a special tool can be rigidly connected to the hub flange or rotate independently of the hub. The devices impress with their reliability, however, using such a hub is rather inconvenient, therefore hubs of this kind are practically not used for the UAZ Hunter SUV. Do not use them for other models that are produced today.
Modern equipment: hubs 2.0
Now, if it is necessary to disconnect or turn on the wheels, it is enough to get out of the car and simply turn the special switch to the required position. These positions are only 2: 4x4 or 2x2. Then you can return to the SUV interior and continue on.
That’s how the UAZ hubs are included, which are installed on most SUVs of this brand and other brands, even foreign ones. As for the technical details, each manufacturer has its own device for this mechanism.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the unique advantages that manual mechanisms possess, one can single out incredible strength. Strength there with a margin. Also, the advantages include simplicity of design, reliability and ease of use.
But when installing hubs on an UAZ, do not forget about the minuses. So, for use it is necessary to leave the passenger compartment and stain clean hands on mud-stained, and often also ice switches.
Yes, it’s worth saying about ice. Some manufacturers make switches from plastic. It would seem that this is the most ridiculous material that can only be used in the transmission system. But it is in great frost that the plastic does not freeze, and this greatly facilitates the switching of the mechanism to another mode of operation.
Another advantage of manual hubs is the possibility of turning on or off the front axle directly from the passenger compartment in motion if the hubs (on the UAZ Bukhanka or Patriot are installed - no difference) of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant were previously included. This is sometimes very useful when the car suddenly drove into a very slippery section of the road or fell into a mud trap.
To avoid any surprises, most drivers begin to turn on these mechanisms at the time of the first serious snow. They turn off in the spring, when dry asphalt is everywhere. Hubs are also turned off at any time, if you need to drive on dry asphalt for a very long time. This is a reasonable approach, which is confirmed by years of practice of all those who have already used hubs (UAZ Patriot). Reviews, photos fully confirm this information. With these mechanisms it is easy, convenient and you can save a liter of fuel or even more. Many fear that if you use closed hubs for a sufficiently long period of time, it can be very harmful for a bridge or a car. But all this is in vain. On many models, there is a special plug in the configuration, with which a constant transmission of torque to the front axle is possible without the possibility of shutdown.
Automatic gears
Now you need to talk about automatic hubs. Their main difference from manual counterparts for the driver is that in order to switch them to the desired position, you do not need to leave the car interior.
In order to start the front-wheel drive, connect the bridge directly from the passenger compartment. In rare cases, it may be necessary to press an additional button that directly controls the hubs.
How it works?
There are several work options. The drive can be an electric motor mounted inside the case and switching hubs to the UAZ-469 or any other model. Also, to control the operating mode of the mechanism, a vacuum or a hydraulic system can be used.
The most popular hub among off-road vehicle enthusiasts, which can turn on independently. It turns on mechanically when torque appears on the wheel drive. Each design has its pros and cons. Below we will consider them in more detail.
Electric Hubs
These devices combine maximum reliability, as well as all the simplicity of the manual mechanism, which needs to transfer electricity to the control motor, which rotates with a wheel hub. There is a small problem here - the brushes that transmit current are operated under rather severe conditions. This is eternal dirt, difficult temperature conditions. Once the system just does not turn on, and the car at the right time will remain with rear-wheel drive. In this case, only tractor drivers will be able to pull the SUV out of the swamp.
Vacuum gear
After the four-wheel drive is turned on, a special pump starts to suck out all the air accumulated in the system from the wheel coupling. As a result of this process, the hub is blocked. At the moment when the drive will need to be disconnected, the system will work the other way around - to pump air back into the system.
Everything is good in this design, but up to a point. In severe frost, the rubber seals can harden, and at a crucial moment, the four-wheel drive will not turn on. Judging by the reviews, hubs on a vacuum rarely work happily ever after. All due to the fact that through the seals all the dirt and swamp slurry will go directly inside - into the hub and bearings.
Classic Auto Solution
These are probably the most common mechanisms. They are installed on almost all four-wheel drive cars. As a drive here, the auto transmission itself. Famous and popular AVM hubs at UAZ Patriot work on this principle.
When the driver connects the bridge using a transfer case and torque appears on the axle shaft, the device will close. If you turn on the reverse, then the element, accordingly, turns off and closes again, but in the other direction.
With each such change of direction, the hub will switch, and this moment will be accompanied by a blow to the transmission mechanisms. If you use the pedals and the transfer case lever more dynamically, then the blow will become more serious.
If the driver has disconnected the drive from the passenger compartment, it is imperative that you drive a short distance in the opposite direction so that the clutch opens. If this is not done, then the hub will be turned on, and you can connect or disconnect the bridge directly from the passenger compartment. This can be done until after the next change of direction it turns off.
The hub, if it is open, cannot be turned off completely without any problems at speed. For most SUVs (UAZ is no exception), the ability to turn the drive on or off on the go is determined only by the design of the transfer case. To do this, the synchronizer must be installed in the system on the drive gear to the front axle.
So, such a hub is quite comfortable and convenient, but only where really difficult conditions are. The mechanism requires careful handling. The buildup of the machine can reduce its life up to an immediate breakdown. To turn off, you need to drive a little in reverse.
Market offers
In the process of market research, five types of products come across the eyes for all off-road UAZ models. Only those options that are commercially available are considered.
Oldest item
Until now, the oldest models made at the Ulyanovsk plant can be purchased on the automotive market . These wheel switches are still installed on freight models. Sharp splines of the clutch engage with the inner sleeve. The sleeve, in turn, is slit on the axle shaft and secured with a special bolt. Bolt is the foundation of everything. These products are maximally accessible due to the constant availability in stores and low cost - the price is only 500 rubles.
Elmo Products
This company produces the hubs that are equipped with the Hunters and Symbiers. These products are ideal for UAZ and are most often found on sale. Products are available in several versions - with a decorative switch and simple hubs on the UAZ. Photos are not striking with special beauty, but the detail is not of such a plan. The price is from 920 to 960 rubles. It is also a very affordable cost.
"Stead"
These products are very similar to the previous ones, however, if you look closely, these products have a slightly different body shape and color. In addition, the mechanism is lighter in weight. They are made in Ufa. The price for a pair is about 700 rubles.
ADS
There are on sale hubs "ADS" in the UAZ. Drivers are generally satisfied with the work, but not all drives look aesthetically pleasing. Somewhere they stick out strongly, which spoils the whole view. But in general, these details look very solidly and firmly.
On regular drives with these hubs, you can no longer install the cap. But they perform their function, and more is not required of them.
AVM
Perhaps this product is not worth presenting. AVM hubs at UAZ Patriot and the rest of the line of models are produced in Brazil. They are very easy to recognize. High quality is visible even on the case. It is felt that the device and mechanism really worked. Also, the mechanism has a good set. Cost - more than 5000 rubles. But these costs will be fully justified. The well-known automotive publication conducted a series of tests of all the hubs available on the market. And the test results showed a really high quality of these products. Both manual and automatic models perfectly and clearly fulfill their functions.
Wheel hubs on UAZ "AVM" are available in four versions. All of them are suitable for any off-road models, even including the GAZ-69 car. In the lineup there are both automatic and manual models, both conventional and reinforced.
In order to verify the quality of this product, you should get acquainted with the many reviews written by the owners of off-road equipment manufactured by the Ulyanovsk plant. Those who have used these mechanisms even a little say that AVM products are, without exaggeration, the best hubs at the UAZ Patriot.
In addition to these products, you can see the Rus and Reef systems in car dealerships. These are low-level mechanisms, but they are also trustworthy.
Installation
The coupling replacement procedure is very simple. First of all, it is important to correctly replace the mechanism that was installed earlier. For this, it is important to take into account the level of difficulty in loosening the bolts.
Using a metal brush to clean the outer surfaces of dirt. The socket head unscrew the bolts. If the bolt does not lend itself in any way, you can use a pneumatic tool.
Then carefully treat the surface of the hub. The remaining gaskets should be completely removed here. Clean dirt, remove corrosion. Using compressed air, clean the holes for fasteners. A little grease is recommended on the bolts.
When installing a new hub, it will not be superfluous to put the gasket between the hub and the coupling on the sealant. Although the manufacturer assures us of the quality of the gasket, it is still better to create additional protection. Next, the clutch is installed, but first you need to install its intermediate part. Then the switching mechanism and gasket are installed. Do you need hubs for UAZ "Patriot"? Definitely needed for those who love off-road and difficult conditions, but regularly ride on hard surfaces.
So, we found out what are the hubs for SUVs produced by the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant. We hope that the information provided will be useful to you.