Hubs, bumps, some kind of booth. An uninitiated person does not understand at all what it is about. Although, of course, this does not apply to the owners of UAZ vehicles. Uazovody people are special: they are handy, big-headed and resourceful. But this is not the point now. We are talking about wheel couplings or, as they are also called in the English manner, hubs (from the English. Free Wheel Hub).

Once upon a time, these were installed on UAZs normally. Remember the silumin knobs on the front wheels? But then the plant, more likely to reduce the cost than because of complaints about the quality, ceased to equip cars with them. Yes, there were questions about the reliability of factory couplings, but abandoning them is not the best option. Why? For two reasons.

First, hubs save fuel. Even if a liter and a half per hundred, but at the current prices for gasoline, these liters will not be superfluous. Secondly, they protect the front axle and transfer case parts from unnecessary wear.

So, a zealous owner cannot do without hubs. What should you choose? What are they? If you look at this issue globally, then there are two classes: manual and automatic hubs. Manual ones, except for those that are long and tediously wrapped in a hexagon, are switched by simply turning the "flag" to the 4x4 position. Although, if the mechanism "sour", especially in cheap couplings, then you can only switch it with pliers.

Manual hubs have another serious drawback - in order to turn them on / off, you need to get out of the car. And this is always too lazy to do, besides, you will definitely get dirty. Therefore, the driver hopes that he will drive a Russian "maybe". Well, according to the "law of meanness" this "maybe" does not roll at the most inopportune moment - when the car is already sitting in a puddle, and to turn on the front axle, you need not just get dirty, but really get into the knee-deep mud. And it's not a fact that now the car itself will be able to leave.

As you know, human laziness is the engine of progress. For those who do not want to get out of the car, automatic hubs have long been invented. The trouble is that uazovody were deprived of the attention of eminent manufacturers, and for UAZ such hubs were produced only by the overseas company AVM. The couplings of its production, firstly, are expensive, and secondly, they have a significant drawback - they work only in automatic mode.

What's wrong with that? - you ask, because they are machines. But more on that later. The RIF company corrected the situation and launched its automatic wheel hubs for UAZ on the market with the possibility of manual activation. The drive is completely mechanical, without electrics and pneumatics - exactly what you need in UAZ!

The principle of operation is extremely simple. There are two modes LOCK and AUTO.

In the LOCK position, the hubs are always on. Works like conventional mechanical wheel clutches in 4x4 position. It is in this mode that you need to drive if you are on difficult off-road. Enabled manually using a key. And the AUTO mode is just needed in all other cases - in the city, on the highway, on an easy country road.

In all honesty, admit to yourself, what is your asphalt / dirt mileage ratio? 80/20 or 90/10, or even less?

In AUTO mode, the wheel clutches are automatically engaged when the front axle starts to operate. They turn on quietly, you can't hear from the cabin at all. Outside, if you listen, you can catch two, barely audible clicks. This clutch engages.

The automatic clutches are turned off just as easily: just turn off the bridge and change the direction of the vehicle. For example, you turned on the hubs and started moving forward. Then they will be constantly on all the time as you move forward. Lost the track, drove through a "hard" section, found yourself on solid ground? Now you can turn off the front axle and back up a couple of meters - the clutches will turn off themselves.

But you should always remember about the peculiarity of the operation of "automatic machines". They really do not like the "rolling" driving mode. After all, with each change of direction of movement, the couplings re-engage. And if at a calm pace: "forward - stop - backward" there are no negative consequences, then shock loads occur during the "rolling" movement, which sharply reduce the service life of the hubs.

In this mode, the wheel clutch is always in a locked (on) state. It is the LOCK mode that should be used when you understand that there is a serious off-road ahead, which will require the application of all your forces and all the capabilities of your car. This is where the plus of the RIF wheel hubs manifests itself, which, unlike the AVM "automatic machines", have a LOCK mode. Switch to it and skid to your health!

By the way, the automatic clutches that are standardly used on the Nissan Patrol Y61 and Toyota Land Cruiser 71-79 (2007+) can also be forcibly blocked when going off-road.

Self-installation of automatic RIF hubs on UAZ will not cause difficulties for an experienced car owner.

Well, if removing the wheels and adjusting the bearing preload confuses you, then any car service will solve this problem within half an hour.

Among the huge number of motorists, there are many who prefer a measured ride on an asphalt surface in search of off-road adventures. Many of these people own various UAZ models. These cars are distinguished by the presence of all-wheel drive. In models such as "Patriot", "Hunter", "Loaf", 4x4 drive, plug-in. What is it all about? And the fact that this drive is not always so necessary. After all, if motorists go off-road, then more often on weekends to take a break from the working office routine.

So, for those situations when four-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 from directly to the wheel itself or to disconnect this very connection in the event that there is no need for all-wheel drive.

Why disable 4WD?

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 Then you can put the wheels on the drive splines. It is robust, reliable and simple.

However, the SUV drives onto the asphalt road and, splashing with mud, smoothly begins to pick up speed.

The wind is rustling in the ears, the engine and transmission are working hard in the cabin, the driver is already thinking about the next long-distance trip, 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 does it spin from? From wheel rpm. When the car travels on asphalt, the wheels rotate the drive and the constant velocity joints. The latter give this energy to the gearbox and the front cardan transmission.

There is nothing special about this. Most SUVs of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant have a reliable transmission, the stability of which will be sufficient even for very long and large runs in the most difficult conditions. The engine can also easily rotate components that are not needed at the moment.

Why would the engine consume extra fuel, because in this case there is no need for all-wheel drive? Why tolerate a small but still decrease in dynamic performance? Why put additional wear and tear on units 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 solution is to disconnect the wheels from the drive. This is the answer to the question whether UAZ Patriot hubs are needed.

Front wheel deactivation clutches

This is how these devices are correctly called in Russian-language documentation. They are most often attached to a 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, everything is clear with the functions of these couplings. But how do they work and how do they work? 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.

Manual

These products are found on most off-road car models of almost all manufacturers anywhere in the world. Manual hubs for UAZ are also very common in our country.

How to use

This mechanism is used in order to reduce the 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 disengages the axle, it is also advisable to disconnect the front wheel hubs from the drive.

How it's done? According to the instructions attached to the UAZ "Hunter" vehicle, the hubs must be transferred to a special position. This position is often marked on the body of the movement. To do this, you need to remove the cap using a special wrench, and then unscrew the bolt from the hole in the drive shaft. Then you can move the coupling to the position when the annular groove on the surface will be in one plane with the end part of the flange. Then you need to screw on the cap. This is true for all off-road UAZ models. So, how to turn off the wheel is clear. How to enable hubs on UAZ? It must be done by screwing and securely tightening the bolt.

From all this, it can be understood that a coupling is screwed to the end of the drive shaft.

It, in turn, using a special tool, can be rigidly connected to the hub flange or rotate independently of the hub. The devices are striking in their reliability, however, using such a hub is rather inconvenient, so hubs of this kind are practically not used for the UAZ Hunter SUV. They are not used for other models that are produced today.

Modern equipment: hubs 2.0

Now, if you need to turn off or turn on the wheels, just get out of the car and just turn the special switch to the required position. There are only 2 of these positions: 4x4 or 2x2. Then you can return to the interior of the SUV and continue your journey.

This is how hubs on UAZ 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 a different device for this mechanism.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the unambiguous advantages that manual mechanisms have, 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 UAZ, do not forget about the cons. So, to use it, you need to leave the cabin and get your clean hands dirty on the switches splashed with mud, and often also ice.

Yes, it's worth mentioning the ice. Some manufacturers make switches from plastic. It would seem that this is the most ridiculous material that can only be used in a transmission system. But it is in extreme frost that the plastic does not freeze, and this greatly facilitates switching the mechanism to another operating mode.

Another advantage of manual hubs is the possibility of enabling or disabling the front axle directly from the passenger compartment in motion, if the hubs (on the UAZ "Bukhanka" or on the "Patriot" they are installed - no difference) of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant were turned on in advance. This is sometimes very useful when the car suddenly runs into a very slippery section of the road or gets into a mud trap.

To avoid any surprises, most drivers start using these mechanisms at the time of the first serious snow. They turn it off in the spring, when there is already dry asphalt everywhere. The hubs are also turned off at any time if it is necessary to drive on dry asphalt for a very long time. This is a reasonable approach, which has been 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 using closed hubs for a long enough period of time could be very harmful to the bridge or vehicle. But all this is in vain. On many models, there is a special plug in the configuration, with the help of which the constant transmission of torque to the front axle is ensured without the possibility of shutdown.

Automatic mechanisms

Now we need to talk about automatic hubs. Their main difference from the manual counterparts for the driver is that in order to switch them to the required position, you do not need to leave the car interior.

In order to start the front-wheel drive, the axle is connected directly from the passenger compartment. In rare cases, it is necessary to press an additional button that directly controls the hubs.

How it works?

There are several options for working here. The drive can be an electric motor installed inside the case and switching hubs on the UAZ-469 or any other models. Also, a vacuum or a hydraulic system can serve to control the operating mode of the mechanism.

The most popular hub among off-road enthusiasts, which can be turned on independently. It engages mechanically when there is torque on the wheel drive. Each design has its own pros and cons. Below we will look at them in more detail.

Electrically driven hubs

These devices combine maximum reliability, as well as all the simplicity of a manual mechanism, which needs to transmit electricity to a control motor that rotates with a wheel hub. There is a small problem here - brushes that transmit current are used in rather harsh conditions. This is the eternal dirt, difficult temperature conditions. One day the system simply will not turn on, and the car will remain off at the right time. In this case, only tractor drivers will be able to pull the SUV out of the swamp.

Vacuum mechanism

After the four-wheel drive is turned on, a special pump begins to suck out all the air accumulated in the system from the wheel clutch. As a result of this process, the hub is blocked. At the moment when the drive needs to be turned off, the system will work the other way around - pumping air back into the system.

Everything is fine in this design, but up to a certain point. In severe frost, they can harden, and at the decisive moment the four-wheel drive will not turn on. Based on the reviews, vacuum hubs rarely work happily ever after. This is all due to the fact that through the oil seals all the dirt and swamp slurry will get directly inside - into the hub and bearings.

Classic automatic solution

These are probably the most common mechanisms. They are installed on almost all four-wheel drive cars. As a drive, the transmission itself is used here. Well-known and popular AVM hubs at UAZ "Patriot" work according to this principle.

When the driver connects the axle using the 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 transfer case lever more dynamically, then the impact will be more severe.

If the driver has disconnected the drive from the passenger compartment, then it is imperative to drive a short distance in the opposite direction for the clutch to open. If this is not done, then the hub will be turned on, and the bridge can be connected or disconnected 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. In most SUVs (UAZ is no exception), the ability to turn on or off the drive on the go is determined only by the design of the transfer case. To do this, the system must have a synchronizer on the drive gear on the front axle.

So, such a hub is quite comfortable and convenient, but only where the conditions are really difficult. The mechanism requires careful handling. Oscillation of the machine can reduce its resource up to immediate breakdown. To disconnect, you need to drive a little in reverse.

Market offers

In the process of market research, five types of products for all off-road UAZ models come across. Considered only those of the possible options that are available for free sale.

The oldest product

Until now, you can buy the oldest models made at the Ulyanovsk plant. These wheel switches are still fitted to truck models today. The sharp splines of the clutch mesh with the inner bushing. The bushing, in turn, is put on the axle shaft along the slots and fixed with a special bolt. The bolt is the foundation of everything. These products are as affordable as possible due to constant availability in stores and low cost - the price is only 500 rubles.

Elmo products

This company manufactures hubs that are used to equip Hunter and Simbira. These products are ideal for UAZ vehicles and are most often found on sale. Products are produced in several versions - with a decorative switch and simple hubs for UAZ. Photos are not particularly beautiful, but the detail is not of such a plan. The price ranges from 920 to 960 rubles. It's also a very affordable cost.

"Stead"

These products are very similar to the previous ones, but if you look closely, they 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 also ADS hubs on UAZ for sale. Drivers are generally satisfied with the work, but they do not look quite aesthetically pleasing on all wheels. Somewhere they stick out strongly, which spoils the whole view. But in general, these parts look very solid and strong.

You will no longer be able to install the cap on standard disks with these hubs. But they perform their function, and more is not required of them.

AVM

Probably, these products should not be presented. AVM hubs for UAZ Patriot and the rest of the model line are produced in Brazil. They are very easy to recognize. The high quality is visible even on the case. It feels like they really worked on the device and mechanism. Also, the mechanism is well equipped. The cost is more than 5000 rubles. But these costs will be fully justified. The well-known automotive publication conducted a series of tests of all hubs available on the market. And the test results showed a really high quality of these products. Both manual and automatic models perform their functions perfectly and accurately.

Wheel hubs for UAZ "AVM" are available in four modifications. All of them are suitable for any off-road model, even including the GAZ-69 car. The line includes both automatic and manual models, both conventional and reinforced.

In order to be convinced of the quality of these products, you should read the numerous reviews that are written by the owners of off-road vehicles manufactured by the Ulyanovsk plant. Those who have used these mechanisms even a little, assure that AVM products are, without exaggeration, the best hubs at UAZ Patriot.

In addition to these products, you can see the Rus and Rif systems in car dealerships. These are low-level mechanisms, but they are also trustworthy.

Installation

The procedure for replacing the coupling is very simple. The first step is to correctly replace the mechanism that was installed earlier. For this, it is important to consider the level of difficulty in loosening the bolts.

Use a metal brush to clean external surfaces from dirt. unscrew the bolts. If the bolt doesn't give way, you can use a pneumatic tool.

Then the surface of the hub is carefully processed. The remnants of old gaskets should be completely removed here. Clean out dirt, remove corrosion. Use compressed air to clean the holes for the fasteners. It is recommended to apply a little grease to the bolts.

When installing a new hub, it will not be superfluous to seat the gasket between the hub and the coupling on a sealant. Although the manufacturer assures the quality of the gasket, it is still better to create additional protection. Next, the engagement clutch is installed, but first it is necessary to install its intermediate part. Then the switching mechanism and the gasket are installed. Do you need hubs for UAZ "Patriot"? Definitely needed for those who love off-road and difficult conditions, but at the same time regularly drive on hard surfaces.

So, we found out what the hubs for SUVs produced by the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant are. We hope you find this information useful.

In cars like Kia Sportage-1, Opel Frontera, Nissan Patrol, etc. there is no center differential. The torque from the gearbox through the transfer case is transmitted in a 50/50 ratio to the rear and front axles only after the drive shafts are firmly meshed with each other. Further, the moment passes through the front propeller shaft to the front cross-axle differential, which distributes the torque to the CV joints that rotate the wheel hub. In order for the wheels to rotate together with the CV joints, they are installed in the front axle hub freewheel clutches (hubs). Hubs carry out rigid mechanical blocking of wheels with CV joints.

When driving a car on normal roads, it is advisable to turn off the four-wheel drive and hubs so that the wheels rotate freely. As a result, vehicle roll-forward is significantly improved and fuel consumption is reduced.

SUVs usually have three types of hubs:
1) Manual;
2) Automatic;
3) Vacuum.

1 - The vehicles were rarely equipped with manual hubs from the factory, although today it is the manual hubs that are the most reliable. They are commercially available and the ability to replace your own is not a problem.

Currently, there are several manufacturers of overrunning clutches (hubs) with manual on (off). The most common are the well-known WARN (USA) and AVM (Brazil) brands. It was only recently that the products of the young, but already well-proven trade mark "AmicA" (Ukraine) appeared on the market for the first time.
What is so interesting about AmicA wheel couplings in comparison with existing brands, which makes the owner of an SUV opt for the products of this company?
First, it is their undoubted reliability. The clutches have a completely new, patented design that provides them with a 100% on / off guarantee under severe operating conditions. Undemanding to the type of lubricant and to its quantity, the clarity of on-off, the use of alloy steels (in foreign products, the body for lightening is made of silumin, a lightweight material, but mechanically unreliable), rolling bearings and full-fledged oil seals in the production of hubs makes them worthy competitors with existing imported counterparts. If necessary, these couplings, in contrast to the existing wheel hubs, allow them to be diagnosed and repaired in any field conditions, through the use of unified individual units (bearings, oil seals). The switching unit of the AmicA hubs is reliably protected from water ingress into the inner part, while this unit in manual clutches of other manufacturers is their most vulnerable point, contributing to the free penetration of water into the clutch housing, which dramatically reduces the life of the clutch and wheel bearing car.
In addition, all manufactured AmicA freewheel clutches are fully guaranteed for a period of 12 months, regardless of vehicle mileage. This means that if any problems arise during the operation of the couplings, they are repaired or replaced with new ones at the expense of the manufacturer with an extension of the warranty. This indicates the presence of a well-established service department for technical support of products manufactured by "AmicA". Such a guarantee is not provided for foreign analogues in Ukraine.
An important factor when choosing manual couplings for your "war horse" is their cost. In this regard, manual clutches "AmisA" successfully compete with analogs, because their price is much lower than foreign products (by about 30-35%).
All offered sets of couplings for different brands of SUVs contain a full set of mounting bolts, which is not always provided by their foreign counterparts.
The conducted field tests of manual couplings (hubs) in the difficult off-road conditions of the spring Carpathians showed their ability to work with high critical loads, without fear of viscous clay or spring floods.
In conclusion, we can say with confidence that manual clutches "AmicA" not only are not inferior in their operational parameters to products of foreign analogues, but in many cases surpass them.
In any case, having opted for the AmicA freewheel clutches, you have a 100% guarantee of confident off-road driving, without fear of failure of this unit, which is so important for all-wheel drive.

Consider classic manual hub device:

The SHRUS shaft by means of a spline connection enters the drive spline bushing (3) of the hub. In the disengaged state, the movable spline bushing (2) is on the left (according to the figure) and does not engage with the drive spline bushing, which allows the coupling body (1) to rotate freely around the drive spline bushing. Thus, we have a disconnected wheel drive.

When the clutch is turned on, the movable spline bushing moves to the right (according to the figure) and connects the clutch housing to the drive spline bushing, making it possible to transmit torque to the wheel.

In hubs of Ukrainian production "AmisA" used a completely different, new design, protected utility model patent... The basic principle of operation is shown in the figure:

Here, the connection of the drive spline bushing with the clutch housing takes place using movable cylindrical keys. Due to the large contact area of \u200b\u200bthe cylindrical surfaces of the keys and the use of alloy hardened steels in the production of couplings, they allow them to transmit critical torques to the wheel without fear of damage to the mechanism. Long key length compared to its diameter, independent movement of keys under the action of powerful springs gives a guarantee of clear switching on (and off) of the hub, undemanding to the type of lubricant and to its quantity.

The spline drive sleeve rotates on a powerful ball bearing, the switch handle is protected by a reliable oil seal from water and dirt in the middle. Well, in order not to get your hands dirty when turning the hub on and off, there is a special key for the switch handle.

Coupling design " AmisA"is patented.

2 - Automatic hubs almost all cars were completed from the factory. The principle of operation of automatic hubs is that when torque is applied to the front propeller shaft (four-wheel drive is connected), the CV joints begin to rotate. This is where automatic hubs come into play and block. To disengage the hubs and CV joints, it is necessary to stop, turn off the four-wheel drive. Back up 3-5m. in order to finally disengage the hub and hub. Otherwise, the front propeller shaft will disconnect from the rear. There will be no 4WD, but the entire front axle will idle. At first glance, everything seems to be fine, even you don't need to get out of the car. But unfortunately there are many more minuses than pluses:
In the hub, when driving on a rear-wheel drive, a silumin (on a Kia Sportage) three-stud ring and a plastic clip of the clutch engagement mechanism are grinded together, and at the most crucial moment, when all-wheel drive is needed, it will not be there because the hub ring will not have enough travel to ensure the engagement of the SHRUS-HUB-WHEEL.

Automatic hubs do not provide 100% blocking. In case of an unsuccessful attempt to drive up a hill, followed by rolling back in neutral, the automatic hubs will be 100% disabled. Thus, in some cases, they can turn off, and the all-wheel drive will not be until the car drives forward or backward until the hub engages with the CV joint. If this happens in wet clay, then you can sit firmly and it is quite possible that you will not have these 1-2 meters necessary for the hubs to engage.

3 - Vacuum hubs "top of perfection". They were equipped with cars less often than automatic ones, but also quite often.

The mechanism of operation of vacuum hubs is actually advanced. When the driver connects four-wheel drive, an electronic signal is sent to the vacuum pump, which takes vacuum from the inlet manifold, and sucks air from the hub through the pipe system, which leads to its approaching the hub and, accordingly, blocking. When disconnected, the reverse process occurs - air is supplied and the hubs are disconnected from the hubs, the car goes into rear-wheel drive mode. Accordingly, everything is done automatically and there is no need to take it back after turning off the all-wheel drive.

But there are also disadvantages. The entire vacuum hub system depends on the tightness of the tubes and glands. They wear out quickly and begin to pump up air, water, dirt, etc. The result has an immediate effect - the hubs stop completely blocking at first, and then there will not be enough vacuum at all, even to move them from their place.

As a result, the following conclusions can be drawn:
If you constantly need four-wheel drive, and you spend a lot of time off-road, then it is better to install manual hubs
If you spend most of your time in the city, then automatic hubs are enough for you. They just need to be checked sometimes and replaced with new ones in case of critical wear.
Vacuum hubs are installed on all new machines. It is not advisable to change them until they fail.

For reading 9 min.

Each owner of his own movable property has his own tastes and preferences. Someone prefers comfortable trips on a flat road surface, others love speed and at the first opportunity do not miss the moment to ride with the breeze. But there are those who are not averse to overcoming obstacles on the road, thereby arranging a real test drive for their car. In this case, the four-wheel drive works as it should in such conditions. However, on a flat road, it is not necessary. In this case, hubs on the UAZ "Patriot" will come in handy.

On some cars of the domestic manufacturer UAZ, four-wheel drive is plug-in ("Patriot", "Hunter"). And since many go off-road only on weekends or holidays, hubs are an ideal solution for many drivers who make driving a car economical. Next, let's see why. We will also find out why disabling all-wheel drive at all.

What are SUV hubs?

Wheel hubs are commonly referred to as a freewheel clutch, which is a design purchased mainly by SUV owners. Its main purpose is to separate the wheels from the axle shafts. But here the question may arise about what hubs are needed on the UAZ "Patriot". To answer it, you will have to read the material to the end.

In the traditional sense, an SUV is a vehicle that uses all four wheels, unlike some other vehicles. At the same time, depending on the manufacturer, the models are equipped with a permanent or switchable drive. That is, the driver himself decides whether to drive on all driving wheels or leave only two.

Couplings are installed in order to disconnect the hubs, which are located in the front axle. As a result, the extra load on its parts is removed, thereby increasing their resource. As a result of no load, the engine does not need to increase the fuel supply, which translates into savings.

It is not enough just to install hubs on the UAZ "Patriot" and relax. Like any car mechanism, hubs also need timely and high-quality care. After all, I do not want to be convinced of a malfunction of one of the clutches while driving on all-wheel drive.

The need to disable all-wheel drive

In urban conditions, it is not necessary to use all four wheels when driving. This is, as it were, an excessive measure, since the use of one active axle leads to a significant reduction in fuel consumption. In addition, all-wheel drive needs space for acceleration, and in metropolitan areas, there is already a traffic light every ten meters.

Therefore, it must be turned off periodically. But there is another feature that is characteristic of SUVs, not only domestic, but also any other brands. This is important to know if you really want to install hubs on the UAZ "Patriot". The fact is that the four-wheel drive is disconnected or connected by the driver in the cabin by means of a lever. And when disconnected, only the transfer case and the cardan drive are disconnected. But the axle shafts, including the gear and cardan transmission, continue to rotate with the wheels.

The rotation of these coupled mechanisms creates resistance, which wastes additional energy. This, in turn, entails an increase in fuel consumption. In addition, extraneous noise may occur, which does not fit into the comfortable conditions in any way. As for the parts themselves, they wear out faster.

Varieties of couplings

There are several types of couplings for drivers who plan to install hubs on the UAZ Patriot with their own hands. There are no fundamental differences in their use.

That is, when choosing, you can be guided by factors such as:

• reliability;
• simplicity;
• appearance;
• cost.

In this case, the last point, as a rule, is given more attention, and for someone it comes first. As for the varieties, there are only three of them:

At the same time, not only domestically produced products can be found on the market, there are also analogues from foreign developers. The latter are usually distinguished by higher reliability and attractive appearance.

Manual clutches

As noted by many reviews, hubs on the UAZ "Patriot" work with a bang, despite the fact that most of the SUVs in almost all countries of the world are equipped with them. In order to activate such a clutch, the driver will need to get out of his seat in order to bring the product into the working position (turn on). Not every driver will be able to appreciate this approach to business. However, they can only be envied in durability and reliability.

There are many manufacturers of such products. A high quality product can, without a doubt, be called the products under the Brazilian AVM brand or the American WARN couplings. But they are far from being the only ones of their kind - the little-known AmisA company can seriously compete with them, as well as the RIF hubs at the UAZ Patriot.

The company uses its patented production technology, thanks to which the hubs perfectly cope with their duties even in extreme conditions. Competition is also won by cost - the products are one third cheaper than their foreign counterparts.

Automatic clutches

If someone does not like to leave the cozy and warm interior of their car and adjust the operation of the hub every time when the need arises, it is worth opting for automatic clutches. All that is required to enable them is to engage the four-wheel drive, which is done in the cabin. As a rule, automatic hubs on UAZ "Patriot" are installed by the manufacturers themselves at the factory.

To turn off the automatic hub, you must completely stop the car, then turn off the four-wheel drive. Then back up 2-3 meters. The clutch will then cease to function.

Now it's worth talking about the disadvantages that are also present, despite the undeniable advantages. And above all, we are talking about the rapid wear of some parts, and in some conditions, the clutch may simply fail, which brings the drivers down. For example, in case of an unsuccessful arrival at a hill, you will inevitably need to back up, and in this case the hub turns off spontaneously. When driving on wet clay, it may not always be possible to reverse in order to release the blockage.

For this reason, true fans of organizing off-road races prefer to install hubs on the UAZ "Patriot" of the manual type.

Vacuum couplings

They can be considered an improved version of an automatic or manual hub. Almost every modern crossover is equipped with such products at the production stage. To use such a clutch, there is no need to get out of the car or take it back - everything is done by electronics. Undoubtedly, this is a big plus for any SUV lover. However, you can "calm down" yourself a little - there is one drawback. And in order to understand what is at stake, it is worth understanding the operation of the vacuum clutch. Still worried about the question of why hubs are needed on the UAZ "Patriot"? Then it's worth reading on.

After the four-wheel drive is engaged, the electronics sends a signal to the vacuum pump, which begins to pump out air from the clutch. The result is a hub lock. If necessary, turn off all drive wheels, air is supplied and the hubs are disconnected from the hubs. In other words, the efficiency of the vacuum couplings is in direct proportion to the tightness of the entire system.

Wear of oil seals and tubes leads to the formation of air, dirt, moisture from the environment. The effectiveness of blocking decreases over time, if at first it will still be executed, but already weakly, then after some interval it will not be at all.

"RIF" - quality for centuries

Having been puzzled by the problem of what hubs to put on the UAZ "Patriot", on the market you can find products called "RIF". Why are they good? The main distinguishing feature is the use of a special brass insert. Also only high quality materials are used. Because of this, the manufacturing process of parts is incredibly complex, but only this approach will allow you to get reliable products.

Cheap and angry

Many drivers, when choosing a particular part, most often pay attention to its cost. Of course, the desire to save money is justified, but it is not always beneficial. On the other hand? with an obvious lack of funds, you don't have to choose much, then inevitably you choose the cheaper option.

One of these options can be manual hubs "Rus" on the UAZ "Patriot". Their cost per pair is only about 1000 rubles. Therefore, for economical drivers, this is the best choice.

The right choice is luck instead of disappointment!

Based on the considered varieties, making the best choice becomes not as easy as it was calculated. However, things are not as bad as they might seem. To make a really right choice and save yourself from disappointment, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of car operation.

Some drivers mostly move around the metropolis, only occasionally getting out of the city limits. And even then only for nearby villages, visiting relatives or relaxing in a country cottage. In this case, you can safely install automatic hubs on the UAZ Patriot. And the reviews of the owners once again prove their reliable work.

Only automatic couplings need to be inspected more frequently for wear. For real off-road enthusiasts, it is recommended to purchase manual clutches. Vacuum hubs come directly from the factory. Therefore, if they are already installed on the purchased SUV, you can safely use them until the end of their resource.

Installation

It will not be difficult to install the hubs, but before that it is necessary to remove the standard products, given the complexity of the fasteners. The first step is to clean the surface of dirt using a metal brush. To unscrew the bolts of the hubs on the UAZ "Patriot", a socket head is usually required. You can do it manually, but with a pneumatic gun, work will go much faster.

After that, you need to proceed to cleaning the wheel hub, completely removing the remnants of old gaskets, dirt and rust. It is also recommended to clean the mounting holes with compressed air and lubricate the bolts.

Before installing the coupling, it is better to place a new gasket between it and the hub, which is fixed with sealant. The installation of the hub itself begins with the installation of its intermediate part, and then the switching mechanism with a second gasket, also planted on the sealant.

The manufacturer sets the required amount of lubricant for the entire service life. But, judging by some reviews of the owners, the hubs on the UAZ "Patriot" were subjected to additional lubrication. And in vain, since excess lubricant interferes with the operation of the mechanism. The right to replace under warranty is also lost. For this reason, experts once again do not recommend going too far with taking care of your car. Better everything in moderation, and then the couplings will last much longer.

When installing the coupling, you should pay attention to the gasket material, as sometimes ordinary cardboard can be seen. What then can we talk about an obstacle to moisture ?!

Hubs can also be used as a winch. This is done by installing a special pulley on the free end of the coupling, on which a metal cable is fixed. The spinning wheel will wind the cable around the pulley, which will push the stuck vehicle forward. A full-fledged winch will not work out of this, but by installing hubs on the UAZ "Patriot", you can get a kind of fallback. And in some cases, this will do.

Front axle deactivation clutches (wheel hubs) are installed on the wheel hubs of the front axle of an all-wheel drive vehicle and serve to quickly disconnect the wheel drive from the transmission. The use of couplings (hubs) allows to reduce fuel and transmission oil consumption, reduce noise and eliminate wear on all front wheel drive elements.

Advantages of the drive wheel cut-off MetalPart:

· A protective cap protects the outer surface of the couplings from dirt and mechanical damage;

· A reinforced spring is used in the design of the couplings for more reliable locking of the drive gear;

• all parts of the couplings are made of metal;
• the kit includes gaskets.

OVERVIEW OF COUPLINGS (HUBS ) MetalPart MP -31512-2304310

The set of couplings is supplied in a branded individual packaging that protects the product from damage.

The delivery set consists of:

• couplings -2 pcs.;
• installation spacers - 2 pcs .;

· Passports with instructions for installation and operation.

Clutch appearance. The handle for switching modes 4x4 (LOCK) / 4x2 (FREE) is made of aluminum. Six holes on the rear housing flange are for attaching the hub to the hub.

Next, we make a demonstration of the internal structure of the clutch MP -31512-2304310 element by element:

Logo printed on shift knob MetalPartand indicators of the position of the handle for switching modes.

A steel cap (pictured above) protects the hub from dirt and is attached to the case with three M4 screws.

The photo above (left) shows the clutch housing. The body is made of steel, hot-stamped with subsequent machining, painted with corrosion-resistant baked enamel with high adhesion to metal.

The drive gear is visible in the body (on the left side of the photo), on the cover there is a locking gear (on the right side of the photo). Both gears are made of steel by hot stamping, this method allows you to obtain accurate geometric dimensions and the necessary strength characteristics for the long-term operation of the gears.

Dismantle the pinion gear from the body. Retaining and supporting rings are made of hardened spring steel 65G, high strength allows minimizing wear during operation.

The clutch drive gear (pictured above) is made of alloy steel with its subsequent heat treatment (hardening) to impart strength properties and high wear resistance.

The photo above shows the clutch cover assembly with the locking gear. The gear wheel is visible, processed with shot to harden the working surfaces.

An NBR (NBR) gasket provides a secure seal between the bonnet and the body. To facilitate the structure, the cover body is made of aluminum, the spring is made of 65G spring steel and has sufficient force to reliably engage the gears.

This overview was prepared by engineers MetalPart for a clear demonstration of the advantages of the front axle drive couplings manufactured by our company.

Company MetalPart guarantees the high quality of its own products, as well as its long and flawless service, subject to the rules of installation and operation