2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Font hub separated

[TAYERS]

I was taking front hub off. (prying) In order to replace bad ujoint and half of the hub stayed on the end of the axle end. Eventually got other half off the truck but now am trying to figure out how to reassemble. My question is when i press two halves together how do i know how how far to go without pinching the bearing in which case it would last about a week and i would have to replace entire hub assembly anyway. thanks for any help in advance. Truck is a 96. Having some trouble setting up profile.

 

[LandShark]

It's not impossible to put the hub back together, but I would not bother. Check amazon.com for a Timken hub. It includes new studs. Just did both of mine this summer and the hubs were less than $150/each delivered. If the rotors are worn, this would be a good time to replace them.

If you are located in the northwest I have one that has some life left in it, that you can have.

 

[snappy]

View this as an opportunity to service an otherwise unserviceable part. If the bearings are short on grease, use a grease needle to top 'em up. If you put in too much grease, the grease will not compress and you can not assemble, hydraulic lock.

Place the rotor bearing assembly on a flat surface. Place other half of bearing on top. With a block of wood and a hammer, hit the wood which is resting on the top bearing half. Drive (hit) in a medium stroke until flush, just slightly below flush. A press is better, if you have one.

When you assemble bearing hub assemble onto truck, you may take the big axle nut and tighten the living crap out of it (250 ft/lb) or so to further reduce the chance that you did not have the bearings assembled tight enough. Remember to loosen the axle nut and put it to proper torque. I think it is about 175 ft/lb.

 

[SDrake]

I was watching the mechanic beating the crap out of my hub trying to remove the hub for ball joint replacement at about 60K miles. To my dismay I saw the whole thing come apart. I insisted that a new hub be installed but there were no parts available that day. So I reluctantly allowed him to reassemble it. He insisted that no damage had been done and it would be good as new. Truck now has 278K miles with the same hubs and the moog greaseable ball joints that were installed.



Now that I know how to easily remove the hub with out beating it to death, (did my u-joints about a year ago) I don't worry too much about when ever the hubs decide to give up the ghost.