Bigger Wheels, bigger strain?

[95xjcherokee]

Hello everyone,

I was talking to my regular mechanic today and telling him that i was looking at getting a bigger lift on the XJ to fit on 32's. He mentioned that as the hubs/wheel bearing are part of the axle that the extra strain could possibly wear the casing and in turn to ruining the axle. Is this the case? is there a way around it? or is this just the worst case scenario. I have had to change two hubs so far and I have only had the XJ for 1 year and at $600 a hub I don't look forward to changing any more. Any info appreciated

Regards
Andrew

[Gildo]

Yes.
From experience, anything bigger than factory will induce more load on your whole drivetrain. The weakest part will break first. For some this is a Uni, a hub, a drive shaft, diff internals or axles. You got out of it easy with just a hub. But if youve only had it a year how abused was it when you purchased it?
Without changing diff gearing you will also reduce torque and engine brakeing among many other issues.
Bigger tyres is just the start of replacing stock with bigger everything.

[95xjcherokee]

I currently have 30's on her. The hubs seem to not like being constantly submersed in mud (which happens nearly every fortnight as I bought her to use her) . Both hubs went while it was still on factory size tyres no probs so far with the 30's but only had them on for 4 months. I spose a happy medium would be nice 33's are too big so 32's or 31's I thought would be the go (obviously 32's are attractive for that extra clearance)

[Gojeep]

It is just not the height you have to take into account but the weight and offset of the wheels and tyres makes even more difference. Basically the further out the edge of the tyres, by either due to their width or offset/backspacing of the wheels, the greater leverage you have against the hubs. So running a tall skinny tyre on the same wheel offset will not effect the hubs as much as the same height but wider tyre. So a BFG 33" in a 9.5 or 10.5 will not have as much leverage on the hubs as a 12.5 plus the fact they would also weigh less. Same is true for a 31x10.5 tyre on a rim with only 3.75" of backspacing has more leverage than one mounted on a stock rim which has 5.25" of backspacing. Remember the higher the number the more of the rims is inwards.

[XJ 98]

GoJeep, I wish you lived in Brisbane mate, you could answer alllll my questions

[Buddha]

Might be a dumb question but do you guys take care of your jeeps?
After going for a mud run , do you wash all the shit off and clean .

I ran 31s for anout 2 years, no problems,and that was a daily driver then.

I've run 33s for about 1 year, not a daily driver anymore, but still use the jeep for weekends and holidays, and only busted 1 uni, but i think that was just wear and tear, and had bearings in front right wheel replaced.

And now ive had 35s, comming up to a year and had no problems either.

I always drive slow off road, as i believe the slower you go the less likely you are to bust something, and always clean the jeep after it gets muddy.

[stu]

Originally Posted by Buddha

I always drive slow off road, as i believe the slower you go the less likely you are to bust something, and always clean the jeep after it gets muddy.

I always prefer a slow controlled drive rather then just hold on and see.......my old man constantly hammers me about cleaning the brakes after some mud.....i just try to avoid it now