Found identical surface cracks in both rear hubs. So far I have found four being sold for parts that had identical cracks in the same place. Have found that many pre 1985 Jaguars have these and they are thought to be imperfections from the foundry process. Finding replacements without cracks is a problem. Naturally nobody wants cracked hubs but are they really unsafe.
Would appreciate any input.
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âProperâ cracks are really unsafe - but whether it is possible to distinguish âproperâ from âharmlessâ is uncertainâŚ
On the other hand; hub failures are very, very rare - I can only remember one reported input over the years.
Frank
xj6 85 Sopv Europe (UK/NZ)
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Thanks Frank I appreciate the input.
Could you post a picture of the crack(s) Iâve not heard of this happening in a hub carrier.
As the article notes they are not the best to have if they are fully visible through the casting. IF you have to continue using them the way to stop a crack from progressing is to drill a small hole at each end.
For normal use I would not be too concerned as it is a large casting with nice radii and Webbâs.
Thanks for the reply Robin. Here are some photos I took this afternoon. They are not visible thru the casting and you canât catch an edge by using finger nail. I appreciate your input.
I would think these would be easy enough to repairâŚdrill the endsâŚv out the crack and weld from both sidesâŚthen grind back. I would think most welding or machine shops could do the workâŚnow cost may be another concern.
Cheers
Gary
Aluminum is tricky to weld and I donât want to weaken the hub by cutting a V if these are superficial. Because I received four (4) used ones that all had the same âcrackâ in the exact same spot I am not so sure these arenât casting imperfections. I wonât take the chance driving the vehicle until I am satisfied that these hubs are good and safe. Thanks for the reply.
Maybe you could sand the crack area and see if itâs a casting imperfection or a crack and how deep.
A magnifying lens would help.
This was also my initial thought when I red your first post.
I don 't think deformation would be a concern, especially where the crack is, and, if done properly, it would be as good as new.
En plus, this is not a high stress area.
Aristides
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I donât really like the look of that crack - wonder how deep it isâŚ
It is of course the flanges that takes the stress, and the crack is in the same area as that shown on the web picture - there identified a casting cracks/crinkles. âYoursâ may just be dirtied over the years making it more pronounced?
I wish I had kept the picture of the hub that broke - to see where that break occurredâŚ
Frank
xj6 85 Sov Europe (UK/NZ)
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Thanks for replyâs. Not feeling entirely comfortable I have begun a search for any used hubs available without âcracksâ. I do think that most owners donât see their hubs because of the solid wheels. I am running wires so my hubs are readily viewable. I only found these âcracksâ when we pulled a wheel to change a universal joint. I too have only ever heard of one hub that failed and that was on a Jag that was involved in a prior rear end collision.
I think I have them too, decided they must be from casting and wrote them off as Leyland quality.
I really think I am going to look long and hard to find any used hubs without âcracksâ. Part of the problem is most Jag owners canât see hubs thru solid wheels and if wheel is removed hubs are obviously very dirty. Almost convinced this is casting imperfection, BUT still not completely comfortable.
If you are not comfortable with them, definitely, absolutely the right thing to order crack-free ones. But in the meantime why not drive, as Iâm sure many owners do and without faults we know of. Remember how much power these IRS can take, and how many bumps they withstand: gentle driving ought to be okay, right?
And isnât it weird that my dirty, DPOâd XJ had very, very clean rear hubs with a thin layer of age-old crud, while the front was very full of brake dust. Iâm sure nothing has been done to them, and all the brake pads and discs have been serviced at the same time. Were yours dirty?
Also while greasing hubs should be inspected anyways, they ought to look for cracks!
No David my hubs were not dirty when inspected. I run wire wheels so the hubs are clearly visible and they are relatively clean. I would agree with what you donât see but once you do see, it does become unnerving. I really do think these cracks are common, but until I receive a lot more input from other owners I have to remain skeptical. Having looked at four other used ones with the same cracks in the exact same area and the fact that hub failures are not common does make me feel a little more confident. I will be diligent in my research.
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And with the same depth of cracking�
A point here is that cracking may not be casting faults, but the hubs are made solid enough to hold - unless some other factors are involved.
I think it would be worth while to explore the cracks with a âdremelâ. Apart from exploring the depth; a rounded tool would alleviate further stress cracking - much like a hole drilled in sheet metal to prevent crack progressingâŚ
If indeed these are surface âcracklingâ rather than cracks proper the depth will be shallow - and insignificant. Probing like this is harmless, and give you something positive to do - instead of plain worry.
The same hub was used throughout and the fact is that failures are almost non-existent. Adding that in the one recalled instance, the break might have been entirely unrelated and at a different place - one âmayâ assume the risk is ânegligibleâ and worry unwarrantedâŚ
Incidentally; the rear hubs stay clean of brake dust because the discs are inboardâŚ
Frank
xj6 85 Sov Europe (UK/NZ)
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I have read about the issue on this forum, so check the archives
have numerous spares, and NONE of them have cracks
although a previous poster stated this is not a highly stressed area, I am not so sure, it would seem to me that road shock would be transmitted via the lower fulcrum arm attachment point
Right, that area sees the stress between wheel and bump (or is between the stressed areas). Maybe he can check how deep the cracks are as for him the parts should be close to worthless. Or beat them with a big hammer⌠whatever. I heard of axles and lower suspension arms breaking but couldnât find broken carriers apart from Franks mention. I would never let someone weld them though, Iâd get crack free parts if I was worried!
Thanks for the response Frank. We did spray ether into the crack to clean out excessive dirt. While using a magnifying glass we then used a extremely small thin flat pointed tool to check the depth. There was very little, if any, penetration. We scribed the edges so that we could detect further expansion of the crack and mounted the wheel onto the hub. I have contact with two very reliable sources who are checking there spare hubs for cracks. I should have a crack free pair by the end of the week. Press in new bearings, mount the hubs, then the wheels, and move on.