Warn Hubs

[Burns]

While offroading a little while back, I smacked my right hub (not hard, just a slight bump). It didn't have a problem disengaging. But now when I go to lock that hub (the left is fine, nice and easy) it only goes about 3/4 of a turn then gets so stiff that I can't do it by hand. I can finish to the full 9/10 of a turn with my pliers, but I don't know if it's safe or damaging. I'm not too picky, if it works and isn't a problem, I don't mind using the pliers, seeing as I lock my hubs just as I start on a trail or whatnot. I just don't want to blow a hub, or worse, blow an axle, when I'm out in the woods. And if I have to replace the guts, anyone know where I can buy just one hub and not another set?

Also, my left hub clicks into place, whereas my right never did. Does it have to, or is the click into place deal just added insurance that the hub actually locks?

 

[Seabronc]

They are very easy to disassemble and reassemble. I'd take it apart and see of there is something inside broken, if not clean it out and lightly grease it before reassembly.

Good luck,

>-

 

[89Bronco58]

may be a little farfetched but maybe you got soemhting stuck in there like a little rock or soemthing so that when u turn the hub and it pushes in to engage the axle shaft its being blocked, id take it apart, clean it, regrease it, and try again

 

[Burns]

I tore it down, checked for debris, regreased, and reassembled. Still stiff. One of my co-workers said it might be the wheel bearings pushing down and making it stiff, but that's too far out of my reach to do.

Thanks

 

[Justshootme84]

After driving on the road for awhile in 2WD, check the temperature of that hub and wheel. If it's hot to the touch, the wheel bearing is prolly toasted. I thought the Warn hubs had a warranty, too.

 

[KansasBronco]

yes i believe warn has the warranty. http://www.warn.com/corporate/truck_warran...ents.shtml#hubs that will get you to the pdf file on warn's website. but taking the whole assembly off isnt that hard...just get the tool from auto zone for 4x4. its a claw type of thing with 4 small prongs. take it apart and make sure its all good.

 

[Burns]

After driving on the road for awhile in 2WD, check the temperature of that hub and wheel. If it's hot to the touch, the wheel bearing is prolly toasted. I thought the Warn hubs had a warranty, too.

I checked after driving home from work, only about 15-20 minutes. The hub is hot, so I guess the bearing is roasted. Maybe I hit it harder than I thought. I'll check the guts after the bearing/s are done. Would the bearings being messed up cause the truck to kinda vibrate a little, esp on stopping?

 

[Roadkill]

Yes a bad bearing can cause vibration and heat. The vibration while braking could also be caused by a warped rotor which in turn could have been warped through heat buildup from a sticking brake caliper. I suspect that it is the bearing though. Only way to tell is to take it apart and look.

 

[Burns]

I'm going to replace both the inner and outter bearings after work, either tomorrow or thursday. Whichever day ISN'T 95 degrees. Hopefully, I didn't warp my rotor.