Lower Diff Ratios - 14/09/04

Well I finally got the diff gearing lowered and what a difference!

For a couple of weeks I've been getting scraping noises from the front nearside wheel and thought it was because the brake caliper was stuck. I tried freeing the caliper up but it seemed okay and was still braking just fine. As the noises got worse and worse I quickly realised it was a failed wheel bearing! The brakes were rubbing because the bearing had allowed the hub to move slightly and after a drive the wheel was getting pretty hot!

I took this as a perfect excuse to get the diff gears done and decided to give Rhino Rays a call. I would have liked to be able to do the work myself but I don't know enough yet to do it and there's probably about 20 special tools that I don't have! Ray was really helpful and fitted me in just a few days later. After they had stripped the axles apart and dug all the pieces of bearing out he told me that the king pin bearings were worn and one half shaft was on it's way out. I decided I may as well get the half shaft replaced while the axle was apart!

The gear ratio that was fitted is 5.2:1 and when I drove it home I couldn't believe the difference! I can now get 80mph easily and very rarely have to change down for any hills. In fact Kath was struggling to keep up with me on the way back! Off road driving is totally transformed too. In low range and first I could easily walk alongside the Zuk and it stays nice and slow going down steep slopes. The engine used to race down hill and just couldn't hold the truck back at all. Going up slopes is amazing too and I hardly need any throttle even on really steep bits.

This is definitely one of the best mods I've had and well worth the money! It has not just put the gearing back for the 31" tyres but actually gone slightly lower than that. Hmm I can't help thinking about 35" tyres now....