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same front axles on both sides of a vitara
Posted: Sat 23 Oct, 2010 10:24 pm
by christover1
Think I will make one of these, I have enough parts.
And then get one of the poly bushes sold on AZ to help support drivers side drive shaft.
Thats a solution, just within budget and abilities,
to be able to run passenger side axleshaft on drivers side.
Thus making for easier changing track side, and need to carry only one spare.
IDEAS AND OPINIONS APPRECIATED (and maybe help too)

Re: same front axles on both sides of a vitara
Posted: Wed 10 Nov, 2010 11:37 am
by christover1
I got the poly bush and now I'm collecting bits for a spare stubby axle.
I think its wise to have a spare, of a modified bit.
Last trackside cv replacement has inspred me to get on with this mod

Re: same front axles on both sides of a vitara
Posted: Fri 03 Dec, 2010 4:07 pm
by christover1
I've decided to pay an drive line modification expert to cut and weld my stubby together.
Not worth the risk of me doing it.
Especially don't want a failure out in the desert.
They going to turn down the cup, lathe a locating lip into the flange bit,
so it will centre properley, then weld it up, and " anneal " it,
which I think means re harden?
Got a fair price for all that work, bit costly,
but cheaper than having a complete stubby made, and bearing carrier etc.
Only having one made, due to price, and still needing to pay bills and eat
Shouldn't need a spare if it works right, and if it dont, then no point in having a spare yet..
Can do that another time if I think its wise.
Re: same front axles on both sides of a vitara
Posted: Tue 07 Dec, 2010 11:21 am
by christover1
Stubby all done, nice work, and cheaper than the quoted price

Re: same front axles on both sides of a vitara
Posted: Thu 09 Dec, 2010 4:54 pm
by christover1
Re: same front axles on both sides of a vitara
Posted: Thu 09 Dec, 2010 9:34 pm
by christover1
Test drive all cool, except for a horrid squeak/groan, I think i need to pull stubby out and put more grease on the bush, and clean and emery the bearing surface of stubby..or maybe it will bed in. So tomorrow will look again.
Re: same front axles on both sides of a vitara
Posted: Thu 09 Dec, 2010 11:14 pm
by mika
christover1 wrote:Test drive all cool, except for a horrid squeak/groan
hope it all goes well tomorrow.
Re: same front axles on both sides of a vitara
Posted: Thu 09 Dec, 2010 11:18 pm
by christover1
mika wrote:christover1 wrote:Test drive all cool, except for a horrid squeak/groan
hope it all goes well tomorrow.
It was a silly sentence wasn't it

Re: same front axles on both sides of a vitara
Posted: Sat 11 Dec, 2010 12:25 pm
by christover1
Axle/cv only just fits, too tight to get out the easy way,
but still much easier than getting out the horrible stocker..
Greasing bush worked for couple of hours,
then did an occassional groan/squeak.
Have adjusted camber to get inner cv as far from stubby as possible for now.
Altho nothing hits in test runs, I think it could be a problem under big hits
or off road stress.
I think the groan was heat build up with inner cv pushing up a bit too hard.
All ok for now, but will look into getting/making a 20mm shorter axle.
I still happy with what I done, just more to be done.
Carrying 2 spares is ok, and can still fit a stocker if needed.
Will be worth it for quick changes.
Now to study axle/cv options, maybe even a strength upgrade?
Re: same front axles on both sides of a vitara
Posted: Sat 11 Dec, 2010 8:21 pm
by christover1
All went right with my measurements, maybe I just being too fussy/paranoid.
Left hubs in for a trip up the mountains to mums, no problem in 2wd or 4wd.
No groaning after a few k's od 2wd with hu7bs locked, or in 4wd.
No sign of inner cv bashing the stubby, so may just be ok.
Time will tell.