Loose hubs, repair or replace?

[smith45acp]

Just picked up an 87 Jimmy 6.2L. I'm already in love with it.

The steering was atrocious during my test drive. 2 of the 3 bolts holding the steering box in place were loose enough to be unscrewed by hand.

I tightened those up, that removed 75% of the play right off the bat.

Jacked up the front axle to check the hubs and both wheels have a pretty serious amount of play in them, I'm pretty sure it's coming from the warn manual hubs.

I haven't disassembled them yet, but are these normally repaired with a rebuild kit or just replaced? They don't seem real expensive but why pay for a new set if there's a cheaper alternative right?

I can take photos or a video tomorrow if that would help.

Could the wiggle be coming from something else?

 

[Deuling]

Does the locker itself move in and out? Or the whole wheel/axle??

 

[4X4HIGH]

The locking hubs have nothing to do with the wheel being loose, that is going to be either misadjusted wheel bearings or bad ball joints and or tie rod ends.

 

[smith45acp]

On the driver's side the locking part moves in and out by about 1/8". I can't move the passenger side in and out like that by hand

 

[smith45acp]

While I'm at it, I can shift the tcase from 2 hi to 4 low no problem. But I can't for the life of me get it into 4 hi...

 

[smith45acp]

The locking hubs have nothing to do with the wheel being loose, that is going to be either misadjusted wheel bearings or bad ball joints and or tie rod ends.

Gotcha...

When I wiggle the wheel I can move it just as far by grabbing the top and bottom or left and right sides, if that tells you anything.

Also it looks like the movement is all right at the wheel to axle interface.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Gotcha...

When I wiggle the wheel I can move it just as far by grabbing the top and bottom or left and right sides, if that tells you anything.

Also it looks like the movement is all right at the wheel to axle interface.

Sounds like bad or misadjusted wheel bearings for sure.

 

[Deuling]

On the driver's side the locking part moves in and out by about 1/8". I can't move the passenger side in and out like that by hand

You know whats funny, mine does the same thing, the driver side locker moves in and out and the passenger is solid. Ill be watching this I guess, if you can get pics when you fix, ive never messed with one of these front axles and I need to change my bearings. From what 4x4 high said it may be bearings allowing the wheel to move if that moves as well.

 

[Fordum]

If you are going to use the Jimmy as a DD, and just stay on the highway, then you can just take it to a shop and get the wheel bearings fixed.

But, if you are going to take it offroad any at all, expecially if through any mud and water, then you might as well get the tools you need and rebuild the wheel bearings yourself.

If you stay on the highway, a well packed wheel bearing will last for years. Offroad, repacking them is regular maintenance.

Its simple, and you will know its done right when you get through.
You don't need a lot of tools, I have changed the wheel bearings in my Fords and Jeep with the socket wrench that fit my hub on the Jeep, and the Allen wrench that fit the hub on my Ford.

Plus a hammer, screwdriver, and a block of wood and a jack.

To do it properly, you need a few others of course, but that just goes to show how simple it can be.

Probably most of the folks here can do it blindfolded. I know I could, because I once had to replace the wheel bearings on my old Jeep in the dark with no flashlight to get home.

Just ask, and you can get lots of help.
You will need a hub nut socket and, of course jack stands for safety.

 

[smith45acp]

Update:

After picking up bearing kits and pulling the hub covers I found quite a mess. Huge chunks of metal abound.

So I'm goin g to replace both manual hubs and bearings then see where I'm at

 

[Slapperbar]

If I might make a suggestion, get the Stage 8 X-locks for the hubs. They're a bit spendy, BUT, there will be NO QUESTION as to weather or not they're assembled correctly. The stock units are a PITA and suck big fat hairy balls. Just a suggestion.

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

Sounds like bad or misadjusted wheel bearings for sure.

I think it is, too....

When you tighten them... Do it correctly.

If I'm not mistaken, it's:

1. torque inner nut to 50 ft. lbs. while spinning the bearing hub to seat the bearings.
2. back off the inner nut and retorque to 35 ft. lbs., again, while spinning the bearing hub.
3. back off inner nut 3/8's of a turn.
4. install washer.
5. install outer nut and torque to 150 ft. lbs. while spinning bearing hub.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

If you are going to use the Jimmy as a DD, and just stay on the highway, then you can just take it to a shop and get the wheel bearings fixed.

I did that on my 85, drove it anyway until I had time, probably went a wewek or two. The spindle nut (which was loose) destroyed the threading on the spindle. $75 at the junk yard. Not worth it for a 10 min fix.