locking hub gone bad?

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I think I have a locking hub going bad. The truck developed a "buzzing" from the front axle. I spent a good week really trying to work it out, I did the pads (which it needed), cut the rotors, repacked the bearings and replaced the right outer which looked suspicious (thought I bagged it there!), but it still buzzes. It sounds like you're going over a bridge with the steel mesh, and it gets loud and soft, I thought for sure I was gonna find a spun bearing. Now that I'm at the end of my rope I got the idea to lock the hubs and then drive (the noise could also be the spider gears going nuts in the diff, like a car stuck in snow). So far it is quiet. Has anyone ever had to change the stock hubs? and what did you use?
so far I see Warn hubs for mega bucks.


Thanks in advance.

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'92 W250,3. 54,auto,reg cab, raven hi top cap, tach,boost,transtemp,pyro. 16cm housing.

 

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If you have Dualmatic or Selectro (same thing), the main wear point is the spacer inside with a bronze bushing in it. I had to replace one on my '80 with D60. I suggest using green Loctite sleeve mount between the bronze and the "pot metal".

 

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Still have the original "stock" hubs which are Warn.
Personally, I would use one of the Warn hubs, there are several levels of quality available, I think the most expensive set has a brass lock cam.
Stick with the original design, keep away from the dealers, check out the truck shops, or aftermarket suppliers.
Good luck.

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'92 CUMMINS/DODGE 5SPD, 4WD 16cm2 turbo, mod. pump and injectors, max. flow exhaust, K&N... .
S. T. O. K. E. D. ... . accept no substitutions
www.turbodieselregister.com/memberimages/r0300343.jpg
www.turbodieselregister.com/memberimages/r0300341.jpg

 

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Thanks for the quick replies! I just got back in from a 10 mi. round trip and I locked and unlocked the hubs twice, and each time I unlocked the noise came back. I think it is the right one as I saw traces of water in there when I took it apart.

Old School, how often do you take the covers off to inspect for water? and have you ever replaced the gaskets/seals?

Joseph, I'm about to take the unit apart as far as it will come apart and I was expecting to find a bearing, is a bushing whats in there? I believe this is what is causing the right shaft to drag. Is D60 a Bronze alloy?
This is the first 4WD vehicle i've owned for any amount of time, but even on all the others i've worked on, I've never seen any water contamination in the hub area.

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'92 W250,3. 54,auto,reg cab, raven hi top cap, tach,boost,transtemp,pyro. 16cm housing.

 

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D60 meant Dana 60, and my 1980 crew cab had basically the same front diff as the 89-93 diesels. bs had large handgrip type hubs with dualmatic or selectro on them--I have seen both on the diesels. If that is what you have, there are Phillips head screws on the sides of the turnable handgrips that you remove in order to disassemble the hubs. These grips are what you turn to engage/disengage. If you have the Warn design, none of the above applies.

 

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The '92 should have the Warn style hubs. The Selectro on the early Dana's was a good design also.
I've not had any water or dirt contamination problems on the Warns. I've replaced a couple of GM "automatic" locking hubs with Warn manual style, and had no problems after the retrofit.
The Warn hub has a smooth (usually chrome plated) outer barrel, and is fastened with socket head cap screws.
If you disassemble them, check your gasket or o-ring for leaks or tears, check the spring for wear or failure, and be sure the inner and outer snap rings are intact and located in their grooves.
To lighten your burden on the Warn price if you were to completely replace BOTH left and right hubs... . It would be less than replacing ONE '94+ outer wheel bearing.
Hope this helps
Joseph D... ... . I thought I was the only remaining Dana diehard to recall the Selectro hubs. .

 

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My ole 92 has Warn hubs. I thought they had a life time warranty. It might be worth an email or call to Warn and see what they can do.

Just had to look at their web site and they have a section on hubs that states a life time warranty. http://www.warn.com/Home/

 

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Yep, I think that's it. I've been driving around a bit with 'em locked (no tight turns) and all is quiet. I have seen those hubs (selectro) now that you've described them. We had a mid '80's W350 crew-short bed and that had them, that truck was a road rig for my job and it was abused in the worst way- I was actually upset about how they killed that thing. I am sure I have Warns I was thrown off since they look Fordish. Thanks guys, I will look into Warn's warranty. I will post what happens.

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'92 W250,3. 54,auto,reg cab, raven hi top cap, tach,boost,transtemp,pyro. 16cm housing.

 

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I got into the Mopar Parts catalog, and Mopar shows a service kits for both the warn and dualmatic hubs, No price or contents of the kit yet. I got a reply from the Warn web site, and they referred me back to Chrysler! but they did admit to making the hubs under contract. I guess the warranty only applies to replacement deals.

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'92 W250,3. 54,auto,reg cab, raven hi top cap, tach,boost,transtemp,pyro. 16cm housing.

 

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Does Warn have service kits for the OEM hub? I see they have some listed on their web site.

 

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One more thought--4 Wheel Parts in Gardena CA 800-421-1050 has good prices on Dana stuff, and they might have hub kits. An outer stub axle for my '80 Dana 60 was $175 from Mopar but about $60 from 4WP, about 11 years ago when it mattered to me. Now I get to play with the Ramtrac system--higher cost, less fun, less solid. #ad

I even have to admit to liking the looks of the 1st gen--I owned 2 '80s and an 85 crew cab (last year for Crew). You guys have a good front axle, good t-case, outrageously stiff 4wd suspension that seems bulletproof. Keep 'em Rammin' #ad