[V-16]

@4X4addict- I am longing to be an addict so please keep me informed re the jeeps. I would love to see the pics once you post them would be interested in one of them,a short chassis one if such one exists in this configuration.
Thanks

[susan3004]

Photo of the jeep driven by me in Africa, after crossing one of the obstacles.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by susan3004

The 550s inducted in army prior to 2005 had a terrible wobbling problem which resulted in the breakage of knuckle bearing. This problem couldn't be rectified even by the dealers themselves.

Arka has a 1996 MM550. Maybe he can comment on this problem.

I understand that they started to build the MM550 on the New Generation Chasis from 2004 but given that the army sells these vehicles only after 5 to 7 years. It will be at least year 2010 or 2011 before we see the new generation jeeps at army auctions.

I am a 110% certain that when they do start to sell the NGC MM550 XDBs with the 5 speed tranny, I will be picking up a lot.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by susan3004

Photo of the jeep driven by me in Africa, after crossing one of the obstacles.

That is one good looking jeep !!

Hopefully I can get mine on the roads soon.

[Alfa_Kilo]

Originally Posted by susan3004

I have a submission to make in regards to MM550s.
The 550s inducted in army prior to 2005 had a terrible wobbling problem which resulted in the breakage of knucle bearing. This problem couldn't be rectified even by the dealers themselves.
Believe me on to this as I would have driven 550s more than any one on this forum and also in the most inhospitable terrains in India and abroad.
I must add that I have never driven a 540, so it is difficult to say that what I have quoted for 550 also goes for 540.
I sure hope that the mechanics can employ some modification and rectify this problem.

Are you talking about the resonance in the steering when one hits a bump at certain speeds? It plagues most Mahindras. One has to slow down to recover steering authority. They sort of rectified it by installing a damper between the tie rod and the chassis.

[4x4addict]

I also think that the tires may play a part in it. They come with very beefy tires and I doubt mahindra strengthened the steering components to deal with the added pressure on the steering.

[ex670c]

The Indian Army MM550XD have the following Specs

1996-2003 - C-Section (boxed in) Chassis
Engine - XD3P
Gearbox - KMT90+Dana 18 Tcase
Front Axle - Live Full-Floating - Closed Knuckle with King Pin-LSD
Rear Axle - Live Semi-Floating -LSD


2004 NGCS - Box Section Chassis
Engine - XD3P
Gearbox - KMT90+Dana18 (Isuzu 5 speed+ Borg-Warner Tcase Manual for the more recent ones)

Front Axle - Live Full-Floating - Open Knuckle with Ball-Joint-LSD
Rear Axle - Live Full-Floating -LSD

Susan3004 can you confirm if the Post 2004 MM550XD have a 4 speed or 5 speed Gearbox.

The Knuckle/Kingpin Bearing problem is quite aggravated by using heavier rims & Tyres and driving Off-road extensively, I have personally offered a few bearings to the JEEP Gods.

However, we guys managed to solve the problem by using a brass bush instead of the Lower Kingpin bearing.

Keepin' JEEPin'

Arka

[Alfa_Kilo]

@Arka

Does the live front axle too have an open knuckle? That would leave the CV joint exposed to the elements.

[Hemanth]

I would be interested in buying one, please let me know the price.

[S@~+#0$#]

@arka\4x4addict,
I am sure the MM540s and the MM550s share a lot of spares and there should not be any problem procuring these. But how easy is it to procure Army Spec specific spares? Does Mahindra Service stock these parts?

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by Alfa_Kilo

Does the live front axle too have an open knuckle? That would leave the CV joint exposed to the elements.

The M&M & JEEP Solid Axles DO NOT use Constant Velocity Joints (Zeppa Joints)
The front uses a 2 Piece Axle with a Universal Joint.

In an open knuckle the UJs are exposed to the elements.

Regards,

Arka

PS - Toyota/Isuzu/Nissan/Suzuki 4WDs use CV Joints(Birfield Cups) on the Solid Axle Closed Knuckles.

[Alfa_Kilo]

Originally Posted by ex670c

The M&M & JEEP Solid Axles DO NOT use Constant Velocity Joints (Zeppa Joints)
The front uses a 2 Piece Axle with a Universal Joint.

Is this the twin universal type CV joint?

[4x4addict]

Hello all.

The nonsense has happened AGAIN!. I just found out today that the auction has been canceled. I am trying to get more details. It has annoyed me so much that I am considering legal action under the "Right To Information Act". The crazy thing is that they don't even give you a lame excuse. Just canceled with no reason. This is seriously frustrating.

Apologies to those of you who expressed interest in buying the jeeps.

On a separate note, I have finally received a response from Force Motors regarding the Gurkha 4x4 and have ordered one today. I will post the details of the pricing etc in the Gurkha thread that Samurai started.

Regarding the MM550s, I am going to hold off from bidding at Army auctions, until army starts to sell the NGCS MM550 XDB with the 5+1 gearbox. I think this comes with the NGT30 5 speed gearbox rather than the BA10. Anyway it's a few years before we will see 2004/2005 MM550 XDBs at the army auction. For now, I will wait for delivery of my Gurkha and enjoy it !!

[S@~+#0$#]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

The nonsense has happened AGAIN!. I just found out today that the auction has been canceled.

Thats terrible news . Our dreams of owning MM550s have been shattered :(

[Samurai]

That's Ok man, the Gurkha is a superior off-roader after all with front and rear diff locks. Only thing you might miss is the LSD. It is surely more luxurious than MM550, relatively speaking.