Damn Hubs

[aGood'olBoy]

I have a problem with my hubs. Obviously. The issue is that my hubs aren't holding tight to the axle and its lightly flinging wheel bearing grease out. When I did wheel bearings on my old axle I put all new hardware in the hubs, excluding the actual hubs of course. The hubs always held tight in the old axle. Then I changed my front axle with no real issue, I switched everything over wheel bearings, spindles, hubs, the lot. Now after driving on this new axle the hubs aren't holding tight. The retaining screws aren't loose. I've even tried filing those screws down a bit because I thought they might be bottoming out. I don't really know why the hubs aren't holding tight...
As always any input is appreciated.

 

[HotRodPC]

Are these Auto Locking hubs or manual locking hubs? What brand?

 

[aGood'olBoy]

They're manual hubs. But I do not know the brand. There's nothing on them that even hints to a brand, inside or outside. I will say it's 1/3rd turn between free and lock.

 

[wilrab]

They're manual hubs. But I do not know the brand. There's nothing on them that even hints to a brand, inside or outside. I will say it's 1/3rd turn between free and lock.

Are they loosening when in Free driving around or when you are locked in 4WD? If it is happening when free I wonder if the spring behind the hubs could be the issue. While in Free the spring should be pushing it out keeping it disengaged.

 

[aGood'olBoy]

I should specify the hub assembly is holding fine behind the snap ring. It's the hub cover that isn't holding tight.
When it's locked it's tighter but still doesn't hold tight. If that makes sense.

 

[chengny]

I'm guessing - Warn "Standard" Manual Locking Hubs:

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The WARN label across the middle of the center knob is really just a piece of tape. When it falls off there are no other identifying features.

Were you able to get the retaining ring on the axle? If not, the whole body assembly may be drifting outward - the cap assembly along with it.

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[aGood'olBoy]

The retaining ring is on the axle. I have all new snap rings on the hubs. Those might be the hubs. I'll take a picture later.

 

[aGood'olBoy]

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The hub cover is only loose about a credit card's width. But it's enough to throw grease out. It's definitely more than it should be that's for sure.

 

[chengny]

If you push in on the cover (with the bolts removed) does the gap decrease or go away altogether?

 

[aGood'olBoy]

Yes it goes away completely but returns back. It won't be gap less unless I'm pushing on it. But the same can be said when the bolts are in and TIGHT.

 

[350chevy85]

i've got the same exact problem but mine are mm hub covers

 

[highdesertrange]

the big snap ring that goes on the hub is to narrow allowing the whole assembly to be loose. this was a common problem on trucks that came with auto locking hubs and were converted. get the correct snap ring. call warn and tell them your problem I believe you can just install the correct snap ring. highdesertranger

 

[aGood'olBoy]

The front axle that's on the truck originally came with full time 4wd although that is a good tip for someone else. I re-torque'ed the wheelbearing nuts and put everything else back together. They seen to be holding tight now. I really don't know what caused the hubs to do what they did, but I fixed it somehow. Which is good enough for me.