CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
front hub clicking sound
- Thread starter scrappyk5
- Start date
andyblack
Registered Loser
I just fixed this problem on my truck yesterday, except my truck had the origianl automatic hubs. I figured it was the hubs making the sound, so I took them off and put on some Warn manuals. When I took the driver side hub off, I found that the axle bearing retainer nut was not tight at all. I mean it was just sitting on the bearing. If the nut up under the bearing had ever loosened up...Yikes! To tighten the nut you'll need a special socket with four little teeth on it. I got one at Autozone for $15. My Chilton's book said the nut was supposed to be torqued to 160-205 ft./lbs. After I torqued it down and put on the new hubs, the ticking disappered, hopefully for good.
irocvette355
Registered Member
205 ft lbs?
thats for the lock nut right?
thats for the lock nut right?
apache
1/2 ton status
Yes,thats for the lock nut. Might wanna check to see if the sounds goes away when you very lightly apply the brakes,my 84 did the clicking bit but its from the front left pads ratteling from a slightly warped rotor. I threu new pads on it aand the noise went away for now anyhow.
andyblack
Registered Loser
Yeah, I thought that 160-205 sounded ridiculously high too. My torque wrench only goes to 150. Good luck on even getting it that tight. I almost put the handle through my chest trying to get it tight. Keep in mind that this torque figure is for the outer nut. The inner nut (under the axle bearing) should be torque to 50 ft./lbs., then backed off to 35 ft./lbs., then loosed no more than 3/8 turn. This is all according to my Chilton's manual, or as my dad calls it-the "Chittlins'" manual. Be sure to verify all this against a real shop manual or consult a good mechanic before you do the work. I'd hate for you to mess up your bearing and then come looking for me to kick my butt. It worked on my truck though.
apache
1/2 ton status
FYI, look up in McMaster Carr "torque multipliers" Ive a rebuilt a couple pumps that the impeller torques to 650 + ftlbs. Its a handy little tool.
andyblack
Registered Loser
Sounds like a good tool to have. I was thinking about this last night and wondered why the driver's side was loose and not the passenger's. I guess it must be because of the way the wheels rotate when the truck is moving forward, which would be couterclockwise for the driver's side wheel and clockwise for the passenger's side. I'll have to keep an eye on it from now on.
andyblack
Registered Loser
Scrappy, be sure to let us know what you're problem was and how you fixed it. If my diagnosis is correct it will be some kind of miracle.
well driving home today, I noticed the clicking stops when I turn the wheel slightly to the right, then the second i start steering straight ahead, iits starts again.
i am thinking a warped rotor. i will be throwing it up on stands tomorrow to investigate.
i am thinking a warped rotor. i will be throwing it up on stands tomorrow to investigate.
jonathon
1/2 ton status
I've been told the use of a Snap-On socket makes the job much easier.. the cheapo parts store socket slips way to easy. I am going to get one in the near future since I own two of these trucks, the $60 is worth it.
I can get the full 150ft lbs on it with the wrench, at which point I break out the breaker bar and turn it a little more. I got enough lead in my ass that it's not a whole lot of effort
I had a ratcheting type noise when I was running Warn Premiums. My initial thought was since I wasn't running the inner snap ring on the axle shaft, it was causing it to slip out. However with the hubs installed there was zero in and out movement on the shaft, which I think is since the outer snap ring on the shaft and the ring in the hub pull the shaft tight as it is.
Turned out to be my springs in the hubs. Gotta get them replaced and then I'll keep them for spares. I'm liking my Super Winch hubs for now. 1/4 turn is so nice.
I can get the full 150ft lbs on it with the wrench, at which point I break out the breaker bar and turn it a little more. I got enough lead in my ass that it's not a whole lot of effort
I had a ratcheting type noise when I was running Warn Premiums. My initial thought was since I wasn't running the inner snap ring on the axle shaft, it was causing it to slip out. However with the hubs installed there was zero in and out movement on the shaft, which I think is since the outer snap ring on the shaft and the ring in the hub pull the shaft tight as it is.
Turned out to be my springs in the hubs. Gotta get them replaced and then I'll keep them for spares. I'm liking my Super Winch hubs for now. 1/4 turn is so nice.
garydan
1/2 ton status
Scrappy, did you ever pin-point the exact problem of this? I'm in the processing of installing a Dana 60 axle and noticed a similar problem on the driver-side hub. If the hub is disengaged and I spin the rotor I can hear a clicking noise. When engaged, the clicking goes away.
Cornfield creations
1/2 ton status
I know this sounds dumb, but is the u-joint good? Sometimes slight friction will turn the u-joint causing it to spin. If it's bad it'll click. Locked in it would have constant torque on the u-joint so it doesn't slop around. Dodge 1500's go bad regularly and the u-joint makes a clicking sound. I have also had that on a 76 half ton with the hub unlocked. Turned out being a bad u-joint.
Philly87
1/2 ton status
Try to look at it soon without driving it too much! My 87 did the same thing. I drove it this way because I couldn't find the clicking noise.
About a month later it was on a wrecker being towed home because the passanger wheel bearings seized on the spindle because of the lock nut coming loose.
After that I upgraded to a set of Stage 8 fasteners for the hub assembly. See pics attached.
About a month later it was on a wrecker being towed home because the passanger wheel bearings seized on the spindle because of the lock nut coming loose.
After that I upgraded to a set of Stage 8 fasteners for the hub assembly. See pics attached.
garydan
1/2 ton status
The axle isn't in the truck yet, so while I'm waiting for the leaf springs to come in, I'll open it up.
Last edited:
Cornfield creations
1/2 ton status
summit has them
garydan
1/2 ton status
I've been searching and haven't yet found a good hub overhaul writeup with torque specs...etc. I'm new to this stuff, but I'm good with instructions... 
Philly87
1/2 ton status
I ordered mine straight through Stage 8 but you can check out their website at www.stage8.com and look at their dealer locator.
You can also read more about the hub fastening system on their site.
-Phil
You can also read more about the hub fastening system on their site.
-Phil
garydan
1/2 ton status
I removed the manual locks (the 6 or so allen screws). Once I pulled that locking mechanism off and spun the hub I no longer hear the clicking. I replaced the locking hub and the clicking came back. So the source of the clicking it within that outer locking hub portion.
Does that make it less serious of an issue?
Does that make it less serious of an issue?
