UAZ military bridges: overview, description, types, features and reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

You must have seen UAZ cars on sale, where car owners proudly talked about military bridges, making an extra charge of several thousand rubles. This topic has been discussed many times. Some say that such cars are worthy of attention, while others, on the contrary, prefer to drive on civilian bridges. What are they and what are their differences? Let's try to figure it out.

Varieties

UAZ vehicles use two types of mechanisms - with a single-stage main gear, and also with a final drive. The first rear axle (UAZ) military is installed on cars of a wagon layout, the second - on a cargo-passenger model 3151 (in other words, "Bobik"). The driving mechanisms have a U-shaped design and are installed together with cardan shafts. However, the installation of such elements on wagon-type vehicles (such as a “tadpole”) requires significant technical improvements. This applies to the design of the suspension, bipod traction, bridges. Also, for full-fledged work, a cardan shortened by a centimeter is required.shaft.

As for the final drive elements, they have a difference in the middle part, namely, a smaller military bridge differential. UAZ with such a mechanism also differs in a different way of installing the final drive gear. There are few differences here. It is only mounted on tapered roller bearings. UAZ, whose military bridge is considered more durable, has a more complex design compared to its civilian counterpart. Between the pinion gear and the large bearing ring there is an adjusting ring, as well as a spacer and spacers. The drive gear bearings are clamped with a flange nut.

Device

Where are final drives located? On UAZ-469 vehicles, whose military bridges are located at the rear, the gear itself is located in the crankcases, where necks are pressed onto the outer parts of the axle shaft casings. The drive gears are mounted on the splined end of the axle shaft, between the roller and ball bearings. The latter is attached with a retaining ring in the crankcase. There is a special oil deflector between the ball bearing and final drive housing. The roller mechanism is fixed in the housing with two bolts. The inner ring of the bearing is attached to the axle shaft with a retaining ring. The driven gear is attached to the final drive flange. The driven shaft rests on the bushing and bearing. By the way, the latter has a left-hand thread. The driven shafts of the rear final drive are connected to the wheel hub using splined flanges.

Transmission housingcast together with the stub axle housing. The drive gear is mounted on the spline of the driven cam between roller and ball bearings (perceive the axial loads of the hinge).

Features

Civil bridges (in the common people "collective farm") are installed on such cars as UAZ "Loaf", "Farmer", as well as long modifications of model 3151. However, military counterparts are mounted on some "bobbies". These are new models with the index 316, 3159 and the Bars modification, which is distinguished by an increased track. But as a result of this decision, military bridges (UAZ) are not simple here - they are elongated, geared, with a modified "stocking".

What is the difference between the military?

First of all, such a bridge differs from the civilian one by the presence of final drives. Thanks to this, the vehicle's ground clearance increases by 8 centimeters (that is, the gearbox is located above the standard one). The main pair has fewer teeth, but they are larger. This design significantly improves reliability. The gear ratio is also different. At military bridges, it is 5.38. What does this mean?

The car becomes more high-torque on climbs, it is able to easily carry heavy loads on itself (or behind itself - on a trailer). However, this mechanism is not designed for speed. The so-called "collective farm" bridges are faster than their military counterparts. And, of course, the differences relate to the cardan shaft. If these are military bridges (UAZ), the length of this element is 1 centimeter shorter. Therefore, when replacing or repairing the shaftit is necessary to specify the bridge under which it is designed. The recommended wheel size is 215 x 90 with a diameter of 15 inches.

Benefits

So, the first plus is ground clearance. It, unlike civilian models, is 30 centimeters. "Collective farm" UAZ vehicles have a clearance of 22 centimeters. The second plus is the increased torque. This is a huge plus if you are going to carry large loads or tow a trailer. Due to the large size of the teeth, they do not wear out as often as on civilian ones (applies to the main pair).

Also, military bridges (UAZ) are distinguished by a more even distribution of the load between the final drive and final drive. Well, the last thing the owner of such bridges can boast of is the presence of a limited slip differential. This is known when driving off-road (in fact, UAZ was intended for him). If the car is stuck in the mud with only one side, you will not have slippage, as on civilian bridges (the left wheel moves, but the right one does not).

Where do these bridges fail?

Now we will list the shortcomings of this mechanism, because of which there are disputes between the "Uazovod". The first disadvantage is the increased mass. Civilian bridges are lighter and therefore use less fuel.

Also, their design has fewer complex parts, so the "collective farmer" is more maintainable. Yes, and spare parts for the "warrior" are more difficult to find (the same military bridge gearbox). UAZ with civil bridge overcomfortable to ride and fast. Also, due to the use of spur gears in military analogues, the operation of this design is noisier. Also on civilians, you can install a spring suspension and disc brakes. It is impossible to put all this on military bridges (including UAZ-469). Oddly enough, it is civilian mechanisms that are more unpretentious in maintenance. Take at least oil - military bridges have a lot more lubrication points.

Reviews

Some motorists in response to the statement "military bridges are better than civilian ones" agree only 50 percent. As for the increased clearance, these centimeters do not give much advantage. Those who need it lift the suspension and install more “evil” wheels. As a result, ground clearance can be increased by 1.5-2 times - it all depends on the desire and skills of the car owner. Drivers also complain about increased noise. Still, army bridges make themselves felt, even if the car is used for civilian purposes. And sometimes, to get to your destination (hunting or fishing), you have to listen to this “melody” for several hours. This is especially noticeable on the asph alt surface. For many, consumption and dynamics are important - with military bridges, you can simply forget about these two factors. Reviews of car owners say that the car hardly picks up speed more than 60 kilometers per hour, while fuel consumption increases by 10-15 percent. In terms of maintenance, reviews note the problem of oil leakage. It starts at the final drives. Therefore, advice for those who are going to take a UAZ: immediately change the oil. About this,a seemingly simple operation no one ever thought of. People buy this car and do not even think about the fact that they periodically need to change the oil in the engine and gearbox, not to mention the bridges. Of course, this is a military vehicle and it is very difficult to “kill” it, but if you ride for 10 years on the same oil in the gearbox, the car is unlikely to thank you. As for cross-country ability, reviews note the special design of military bridges. They are made in the form of a ski. Therefore, to get stuck on military bridges, you need to try hard. Yes, and in terms of resource, they are more enduring, due to the use of other teeth.

Also, reviews note the absence of blocking. You can not put disc brakes on the UAZ-469. Military bridges "do not digest" them. But, along with this, it is possible to install wheels over 30 inches. If civilian axles are used, the CV joints, axle shafts and main pair have to be reinforced.

About the problem of consumption and not only through the eyes of car owners

Regarding noise: judging by the reviews, this is a very subjective opinion. Someone scolds military bridges for being noisy, but for someone it doesn’t matter - “as they were noisy before, so now.” Regarding fuel consumption - with a properly adjusted intake system, such a UAZ will consume a maximum of 1.5 liters more than its civilian counterpart. In addition, some car owners note the lack of spare parts, since military bridges have not been produced for several decades. If you manage to find something, then only at the disassembly, and it’s not a fact that what you find will be ingood condition. On the other hand, the bridge is not a “consumable”, like a filter, rubber and oil. And it’s not every day that you have to buy gears and other spare parts for it.

Off-road element

If your priority is offroad, it is definitely better to put a military bridge.

But if you often drive on a normal asph alt surface, civilians are definitely chosen for such purposes. After all, it is not in vain that “collective-farm” bridges are put on all police “bobbies”. In the city, comfort and dynamics are a priority.

Conclusion

Thus, the type of bridge is determined by the further purpose of the car - whether it will go just hunting and fishing or be prepared for a full-fledged off-road. But it is worth noting that even a civilian UAZ on "stock" tires is able to get through the ford. But on a daily basis, this opportunity should not be used: even on civilian bridges, "military echoes" are felt - a frame structure, a rigid spring suspension.

So, we found out how military bridges (UAZ) are arranged, what are their advantages and disadvantages compared to civilian ones. As you can see, you need to initially know for what purposes it will be used.