Front axle pulling out spindle

[live2drive]

I have a 93 fullsize bronco with the manual hub conversion. I have broken 2 hubs on the passenger side since the conversion. The problem I am having is the axle shaft is sliding out of the spindle instead of sliding in the axle shaft when the wheel is turned or a bump is hit. Does anyone have any information on this? Thanks for any feedback

 

[Justshootme84]

Sounds like the slip joint is binding between the inner and outer shafts?

 

[Broncobill78]

Sounds like the slip joint is binding between the inner and outer shafts?

Uhm, yeah, just what Randy said. I'd guess that it's binding & jamming your hub

 

[live2drive]

When converting to manual hubs are you suppose to have some type of lock ring on the axle where it comes out of the spindle?

Broncobill78 I have a 78 extended cab f100 but do not have the bed needs some sheetmetal also. The motor was runnung when the truck was laid up. I also have a 360 and trans that came out of a 72 that has 65,000 original miles on it.

 

[Broncobill78]

When converting to manual hubs are you suppose to have some type of lock ring on the axle where it comes out of the spindle?

Here's what you're *supposed* to have, maybe there were a few parts left-over after the hubs were installed ? Wouldn't be the first time it's happened.

 

[live2drive]

I have had the bronco for about 1.5 years. It just recently started pulling out. The hubs were converted when I bought the bronco and the clips were missing when I took it apart. When I put the new hubs on I didn't put them in either. Is there anything else that could of caused the axle to start pulling out. If the slip joint is binding what would cause it to bind? Thanks for the help, I am new to four wheel drives.

 

[Justshootme84]

There is a groove in the end of the axle stubshaft for a snap ring that holds the locking hub in place. There's also a thin ring that goes around the inside of the wheel hub, about 3/8"-1/2" from the end. It's possible thtat one of these snap rings broke, allowing the hub assly to move in or out enough to bind. As for the slip joint between the intermediate and inner axleshafts, it's possible to get debris in there, rust from water crossing, or binding from a damaged spline. Had one jam up a while back that took alot of muscle to separate. JSM84

 

[Broncobill78]

I have had the bronco for about 1.5 years. It just recently started pulling out. The hubs were converted when I bought the bronco and the clips were missing when I took it apart. When I put the new hubs on I didn't put them in either. Is there anything else that could of caused the axle to start pulling out. If the slip joint is binding what would cause it to bind? Thanks for the help, I am new to four wheel drives.

Yeah, what JSM84 said.

It's honestly been a few years since I've had to do one (just getting back to the 4WDs now that the boys are getting close enuf to driving age. Funny thing is my daughter wants a lifted crewcab dualie, that's my girl) but what I *DO* remember is that the one thing you want to be sure & have is a GOOD set of snapring pliers, not those hoakey switcheroo ones that Autozone sells but a good, dedicated set of inner & outer snapring pliers, a 6-plier set would NOT be a waste of your $$$ if you plan on doing any hub maintenance. I personally wouldn't even crack one open without a good set handy.

There's a very good chance you left out or simply broke a snap ring, it'll do just what you're describing.

 

[Justshootme84]

Yes, I'm thinking more and more its a problem with the hubs. I've R&R'd 3 front D44 axles in the last month, and always make sure to put the snap rings in place. Sometimes it can be a PITA to get the stub shaft out far enough to get the little snap ring in the groove. JSM84

 

[live2drive]

Yes, I'm thinking more and more its a problem with the hubs. I've R&R'd 3 front D44 axles in the last month, and always make sure to put the snap rings in place. Sometimes it can be a PITA to get the stub shaft out far enough to get the little snap ring in the groove. JSM84

The first time I had the problem The person I bought The bronco from didn't put the snaprings in at all. When I put it back together I didn't put them either. Are the ones that come with the hubs the ones that you would use? They don't look thick enough to hold the axle in place.

 

[Justshootme84]

The first time I had the problem The person I bought The bronco from didn't put the snaprings in at all. When I put it back together I didn't put them either. Are the ones that come with the hubs the ones that you would use? They don't look thick enough to hold the axle in place.

YEs, use the snap rings that come with the hubs so you don't have any clearance problems. The outer ring that's 4" diameter holds the locking hub inside the wheel hub, and the smaller flat snap ring holds onto the end of the axleshaft where it fits into thte groove. Some folks forget or don't use this snap ring if it's hard to pull the axleshaft out far enough to see the groove. Push inward on the locking hub assly, and apply pressure on the axleshaft from behind the knuckle with a prybar, then insert the snapring over the end of the axleshaft and make sure it sits inside the groove. Kinda hard to do by yourself, since you need 3 hands. JSM84

 

[Broncobill78]

YEs, use the snap rings that come with the hubs so you don't have any clearance problems. The outer ring that's 4" diameter holds the locking hub inside the wheel hub, and the smaller flat snap ring holds onto the end of the axleshaft where it fits into thte groove. Some folks forget or don't use this snap ring if it's hard to pull the axleshaft out far enough to see the groove. Push inward on the locking hub assly, and apply pressure on the axleshaft from behind the knuckle with a prybar, then insert the snapring over the end of the axleshaft and make sure it sits inside the groove. Kinda hard to do by yourself, since you need 3 hands. JSM84

Absolutely, there's not much else to say. JSM84 hit it dead on, YES, you gotta have those snap rings, YES they should have been on there in the first place (and this ISN'T a slam but just because someone ELSE took the easy road doesn't mean YOU should. NO EXTRA parts is really a golden rule you should adhere to) and YES you should install them. I'll be a monkey dipped in $hit if this isn't your problem (but then it wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong so there's really no downside here for ME), but really, install those snap-rings and the problem should go away.

 

[live2drive]

I have some news hopefully good news. I think I found the problem. The bracket for the lift kit, where the axle pivots, only had one bolt holding it on @ the top center. The bracket was tack welded, the weld broke and was allowing the bracket to swing back and forth everytime the suspension was moved. There was provisions for two more bolts on the bracket but they were not used. Thanks for the advise and input. I didn't get to drive it yet but hopefully this fixes the problem.

 

[speedlab clone]

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but does anyone know where the larger hub ring can be sourced? My local shop lost the ring, and so now I'm stuck with trying to find one. Ford tells me that I have to buy the entire hub assembly to get the ring, they won't sell the ring seperately.

Any ideas? Truck is a 1992 Bronco with a 4" lift and manual locking hubs.

 

[Broncobill78]

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but does anyone know where the larger hub ring can be sourced? My local shop lost the ring, and so now I'm stuck with trying to find one. Ford tells me that I have to buy the entire hub assembly to get the ring, they won't sell the ring seperately.
Any ideas? Truck is a 1992 Bronco with a 4" lift and manual locking hubs.

Why is this *your* problem ? If the shop lost it then the shop is responsible for replacing it. Simple as that. I can understand that they don't want to purchase an entire hub but that's really too bad & that's exactly what you should tell them. Exactly which ring is it ? The large outer ring that takes all the socket-head machine screws that hold it on ? That's not a wear item so any old ring from a junkyard hub should do the trick. Tell them to get a single hub from the local junkyard, it'll probably cost them $20

 

[Roadkill]

Broncobill's right, junkyard is the best bet. But, if a shop lost it, it really shouldn't be your problem to find a replacement. I mean how does a shop "lose" a part like that? Taking apart a hub is not rocket science and any mechanic (who has been wrenching more than a day) would lay the parts out on a rag or cardboard in the order they are re-moved. Keeps the parts out of the dirt, makes reasembly in the right order a piece of cake and practically imposible to lose anything.

Make the shop complete whatever job they started and only pay for parts that are worn out or damaged, not parts that they lost.

 

[speedlab clone]

thanks for the replies!

Yeah, I agree that it should be the shops problem. Unfortunately the shop says otherwise. Rather than play the blame game I just need to get the truck fixed, and deal with these ******** later. I'll go hit up some junkyards and will see what I can find. Thanks again! =)

-Brad