Archived Help! Replacement Hub falling apart!

[Willys]

Arggh... ok, guys, I need some help. I have a 96 2500 4x4, automatic. I'm replacing most of the front end parts- u joints, hubs/bearing assembly, ball joints, tie rods... etc. Anyway, I'm tapping new studs into the hubs, and all of a sudden the bearings loosened up. The dirt seal popped off and now theres almost 1/4" play in the hub to bearing. What do I do? Theres a metal cylinder that appears to be pressed in, holding the bearings tight. This has loosened. Should I tap it back in, hoping it will work, or return the hub to NAPA? The way it looks like its built, the assembly could fall apart going down the road, and the wheel will fall off. By the way, the hub is NAPA, new wheel studs from NAPA, rotors from Advance Auto Parts(heavy duty Bendix)



What's going on here?



Thanks,

Andy Turner

-- email address removed --

 

[Paul Herioux]

Willy,

When you install the axle shaft and torque the axle nut down to spec the bearing will tighten up like it should. You need to support the hub better when tapping in the studs. I use a cut off piece of 4x4 going up into the center of the hub when I do them at the shop.

Good luck

 

[Willys]

Thanks Paul, got it fixed now... it scared me how easily that thing slid out. I wasn't tapping very hard. It makes sense to me now too, that the axle nut holds it together. I used the old rotor for an anvil this time(less bouncing as opposed to wood) and tapped the collar back in with a brass drift.



Thanks again.

Andy