Personally, from what I have gleaned from this forum, it depends on how you use your Sportage. If your out doing heavy-duty 4x4ing, you may want to switch to the manual ones. If your like me and use it for hunting and light-duty 4x4-ing the automatics will work ok. However it sounds like the Kia stock ones are not very reliable and should be replaced. This is not personal experience, but what I have read on this forum. It sounds like nothing is bullet proof (per logansportage) but I know he uses his a lot. It sounds like Iron has located a great source in Canada ($110, and I assume that is Canadian $) if you decide to change. I think the hassle of having someone buy them for you in the states and then sending them to you wouldn't save that much (less than $1.50 US at the current exchange rate) on the $96.19 price. Good Luck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I went hunting last month and when I locked in my manual Warn hubs the outer spring on the passenger side didn't have enough grunt to keep the gear ring locked.
My passenger hub was simi frozen and when I put a lot of load on them trying to climb out of a rut the outer spring broke or got sprung.
Now when I lock my hubs the left side slips and sounds like the teeth are grinding on the axle shaft and the front drive shaft just spins. I pulled the hub off the axel and everything looks OK, but I still need to get to the outer spring to replace it.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Warn manual hubs, but wish they would sale a rebuild kit or just some of the parts so I could fix mine.
Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> [/quote]

Hey guy,
Just got off the phone with Todd of Warn Industries and he said that if you have a hub that is broken or has broken parts, contact the dealer you bought them from and he will exchange them for you for no charge because the have a LIFETIME WARRANTY<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />. Hopefully this will save you some bucks, along with anyone else that has problems with an aftermarket Warn hub. As far as getting a spare set, $67 could save you some grief if they really are source of concern. Good Luck.
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Everet,

Thanks again!!! Unfortunately the KIA dealer installed them when my OEM auto hubs failed. But I've got a Warn Red Letter dealer 2 miles from my house and I'll contact them to see if I can get them warranted through them.

The OEM units used 1 diaphragm and vacuum to actuate the hubs. The Warn Auto hubs upgraded the number of diaphragms to 2 to get a better seal. Basically the first diaphragm acts as the seal and the second diaphragm acts like the OEM unit but is made of a more pliable material.

This is a much better design than the OEMs and if you are an occasional wheeler the Warn autos are a great way to go. They are almost as strong as the manuals, but you don't have to get out to lock them in. However if you live in a cold environment and have lots of salt or sand that gets put down in the winter there is the change you can get some up in-between the diaphragms and keep them from operating until you wash them out or it worms up enough to have it work its own way out.

Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I love my manual warn hubs,only payed around $70, at a local 4x4 and speed shop.And alittle care helps,atleast twice a year I take them off to clean and regrease.Sofar sogood,It takes less then 30 seconds to get out and lock them in. I took a paint marker and put a dot on the arrow were it locks in. It helps,the stock auto hubs and the recall refit auto hubs kept leaking air so going to the manual ones was the right move <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

Just called the local Warn dealer and I'm gettin' 2 new hubs under warrantee tomorrow morning!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Asked them if I could keep the good hub as a spare, but they only carry the hubs as a set and Warn will be expecting a set back for warrantee.

Oh well, 2 new hubs should last me at least another 2 years.

They do sale them as single hubs, but they are special order and will take over a week to get them in.

Everet, thanks for pointing out the lifetime warrantee on these. Saved me some hard earned money and got me 2 new hubs next day.

A Kudos goes out to you. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Did you get your new ones yet? How long did it take to install? Mine are due in tomorrow...guess Sat morning is going to be busy!!!
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Also, some of you spoke of maintenance on the manual Warn Hubs. What operations do you think are necessary and how often? If it is grease, should I use Amsoil/synthetic or standard wheelbearing grease.
Thanks, Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Well, Amazon has changed the price on these...they are now $130.88 as their starting price. Hopefully everyone that wanted some got them before it went up.
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Sorry, just got back from elk hunting all weekend and didn't have a chance to post on this.

I got the hubs warranteed Thursday morning at 8:00 am and had them installed by 8:10 am. Then had to hit the road to get to elk camp.

Very easy to install because I already had the manual conversion kit installed. If you are converting from auto hubs to manual it should take you only 30 - 45 minutes.

Maintance involves pulling the hub off and using standard wheel bearing grease to lube every thing. And I mean everything.

Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Now for the important stuff...DID YOU GET AN ELK???
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />