Do you need free wheeling hubs?

Hi everyone,
I'm sorry if this upsets any of the more experienced members but I'm really confused and i did do a search before posting
When I originally became interested in Land Rovers I really didn't understand the point of FWHs.
As the front wheels could be disconnected from the drive train using the 2/4 wheel drive selector. Right?
But on speaking to several more knowledgable people it was explained to me that the main reason for FWHs is to reduce wear and tear on the front halfshafts, diff and all the associated connections. Right?
That was good enough for me but tonight I came across this article
Free Wheeling Nonsense
and now I'm clueless again.

Please give me the real (and basic) answer.
Cheers
Stew

No.

lol trew is that no you don't need FWH or no you won't tell us the answer

They're a complete waste of time of munny.

You need em' like you need a second bottom. Waste of money and do you really want to get out and engage them whenever you want 4WD? Pain in the ars e.

A couple of caveats before I give my view; I'm pretty new to LR's and my series 3 came with FWH!

So far I like my FWH.

When I'm driving in town (lots of reverse parking and tight cornering etc) or on a long journey I really like the FWH as it seems that the steering is a bit easier and the drive a wee bit more comfortable (it could off course be something else wrong with the truck!!!). Yes they can be a pain in the arse when you need to select 4WD as you need to go out and set them. When I'm driving in the wet/snow or greenlaning etc I lock them before I drive off. I've not looked at the fuel economy; I get the impression that they save (again a wee) bit. I also understand that if you're doing some serious off-roading (I don't!) then they catch and break.

So all that to say - I like having FWHs as they make my life a bit easier in certain circumstances. Would I go out and buy a set just for this - probably not.

same here Jamie, if they wont on when i got it i dont think i would have bought them!. also its just another thing to go wrong, the bearings have worn in mine, and now make a sceaming noise... which i should really make a new bush for.....ahwell

Treworgey 90 said:

They're a complete waste of time of munny.

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Agreed There are too many down sides to out weight any potential (fuel) saving.

stewartmcs said:

tonight I came across this article
Free Wheeling Nonsense

Click to expand...

BECAUSE USING FWH COULD BE FATAL!

lol, where do people like that crawl out of?

However, IMO don't bother waste of time money and effort.

jamiemiller said:

When I'm driving in town (lots of reverse parking and tight cornering etc) or on a long journey I really like the FWH as it seems that the steering is a bit easier and the drive a wee bit more comfortable (it could off course be something else wrong with the truck!!!). Yes they can be a pain in the arse when you need to select 4WD as you need to go out and set them. When I'm driving in the wet/snow or greenlaning etc I lock them before I drive off. I've not looked at the fuel economy; I get the impression that they save (again a wee) bit. I also understand that if you're doing some serious off-roading (I don't!) then they catch and break.

Click to expand...

I've been glad to have hem a couple of times, they've helped me get home when I've damaged the front drive train, and wished I'd still had them recently. However having not refitted them when I rebuilt my front axle, I can't say I miss them.

Not checking they are locked before descending a steep hill is pure bad driving, so I'm not convinced about fatal.

Thanks for all your replies.
So thats a no unless you get them on the motor.
I don't expect to be doing that much off roading (bit of shooting) and only light towing.
Looks like thats one less thing to worry about.

Stew

The article only notes friction to be the fuel consuming factor. Friction is indeed of less importance, BUT what about the acceleration of the driveshafts, diff and propshaft! these all have a moment of inertia and have to be accelerated, which requires force. I say, this is the most energy consuming factor, not friction. Another thing, what doesnt turn around doesnt wear out (but dont forget to engage once and a while, cuz when the driveshafts dont spin they dont catch too much oil = no lube = corrosion)

what you saaay?
Bram