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OEM Hubs VS Aftermarket Hubs Comparison
Just thought I'd share my findings on the Aftermarket copies of the OEM manual locking hubs. I purchased some aftermarket hubs as my OEM autos were a bit long in the tooth. I'd read and heard stories about the Chinese hubs being, quite shit, to be frank. But when you can buy a pair of the aftermarket hubs for less than one of the OEM hubs, and seeing how many were sold on all the fleabay stores, I thought they can't be that bad.
So I purchased a pair, bought the strengthening rings aswell, fitted them up as per instructions, wasn't hard at all and didn't take long. Stupid me should have just bought the real deal first up. But the end price was a bit hard to swallow. Lesson learned here I think.
Well, on their maiden voyage last queens birthday long weekend in the Vic High Country, my first low range down hill run was were the hub failed. First run. I had an awful banging noise coming from the front right hub. So I simply unlocked the hub, and ran the entire trip in 2wd! Just as well I was in a Patrol hey! When we were back home I removed the hub and found nothing, then remove the entire right side axle assembly, nothing. So it all went back together.
Then on its second trip to Licola. The noise returned, only to be louder than ever and it was felt through the entire car. But I left the hub locked for the entire trip and just put up with it hoping nothing would go bang and end the trip. Nothing did fortunately. After getting home again I remove the hub, again, and then I found metal shards in the hub, discovering the outer gear was slipping on the inner gear. Then I worked out the outer gear was not moving in far enough to engage properly on the inner gear. Forcing the outer gear to slip on the inner gear. Plus I found the inner adjuster had a large crack in it. Caused from the hub slipping? Not sure. But the left hub was moving only about 1mm more which was enough.
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So warranty time. But to no surprise the mob where these were purchased from, just halted all contact after one email. Mental note to not use or recommend them again. So I bit the bullet and got some OEM hubs. They arrived today and I can already say these will work a crap load better than the after market hubs. And just two pics will tell you why...
Have a look at the tooth thickness difference between the aftermarket and OEM units.
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And the height difference in the gear. The OEM unit is higher, no wonder the hub wasn't engaging correctly with the aftermarket hub. theres barely enough contact.
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I hope this helps anyone out if they are contemplating buying aftermarket hubs.
Cheers.
