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I'm an IDIOT! Installing hub bearing

I'm an IDIOT! Installing hub bearing

CJ7inNH

Jeeper
Posts
132
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Location
Southern NH
Vehicle(s)
1983 CJ7
6 cyl, 4 speed
Dana 44
4 inch skyjacker lift
weber carb
Disclaimer: 1st time trying to replace hub bearings. And limitted free time + beer makes me rush through things without fully thinking it out.

I posted many questions about how to install, and got a lot of good replies. Was getting really pd-off because I couldn't figure out why the hub wouldn't slide on - thought I had the wrong bearings installed - but when I originally pulled the hub the inner bearing was completely mangled, so I had nothing to go by.

Bottom line - the inside ring to the inner bearing is still on the spindle, "welded" itself on. DUHHHH! Apparently this is not too uncommon.

There was so much grease and crud, plus I was not paying attention, I just never noticed.

I can't believe how much time I wasted trying to figure out why the hub would not slide on!!!

Guess my few remaining brain cells didn't pick up on that.

Now to try to get that sucker off so I can get on the road. I'll order another one now, to save time when I mess up getting that bearing off.


:eek: Doh!
 
a long punch/chisel should do the trick....my r/f fell apart last month and i used my impact hammer to get it off...shouldn't be on that tight at all.
 
Uh Oh, Is this a problem with these year jeeps? I just changed u joints on the whole front end of mine and the bearings looked good.
 
Disclaimer: 1st time trying to replace hub bearings. And limitted free time + beer makes me rush through things without fully thinking it out.

I posted many questions about how to install, and got a lot of good replies. Was getting really pd-off because I couldn't figure out why the hub wouldn't slide on - thought I had the wrong bearings installed - but when I originally pulled the hub the inner bearing was completely mangled, so I had nothing to go by.

Bottom line - the inside ring to the inner bearing is still on the spindle, "welded" itself on. DUHHHH! Apparently this is not too uncommon.

There was so much grease and crud, plus I was not paying attention, I just never noticed.

I can't believe how much time I wasted trying to figure out why the hub would not slide on!!!

Guess my few remaining brain cells didn't pick up on that.

Now to try to get that sucker off so I can get on the road. I'll order another one now, to save time when I mess up getting that bearing off.


:eek: Doh!

I strongly suggest that you ground yourself to your room and read and review hub installation articles, next suffer through some LA beer or near beer, and finally re-install that SOB and get on the road. BTW, I'd liked to have a fly on the wall watching. LOL!
 
Disclaimer: 1st time trying to replace hub bearings. And limitted free time + beer makes me rush through things without fully thinking it out.

I posted many questions about how to install, and got a lot of good replies. Was getting really pd-off because I couldn't figure out why the hub wouldn't slide on - thought I had the wrong bearings installed - but when I originally pulled the hub the inner bearing was completely mangled, so I had nothing to go by.

Bottom line - the inside ring to the inner bearing is still on the spindle, "welded" itself on. DUHHHH! Apparently this is not too uncommon For someone to miss this :eek: Doh!
fixed it for ya :P don't worry, I have seen this at least twice before.I'm pulling a burnt bearing off myself and used a dermel tool w/cut-off wheel to get that race off.Cut a groove as deep as you can and use a big chisel in the groove and break it,just don't cut into the spindle.
 
Oh you do not want to see what goes in my garage. The flys on the wall have all gone away for fear of being smushed by one of the many tools sticking out of the sheetrock.:D

Was going to go at it with the dremel, but haven't had a chance.

Since I was pretty sure I'd kill the spindle with the dremel (and it looked pretty warn and chewed up, also discolored from heat) I ordered a new one.

The old spindle came off without any major issues, damage, injury, etc.

So now I'm locked in my room as instructed, reading articles on spindle and hub installation, while looking out the window for any sign of the FedEx truck.

I was able to sneak in a Real Beer. :chug:

Thanks for the help.
 
Don't forget to order the inner axle shaft bearing thats in the spindle,good luck :chug:
 
Good call on that spindle bearing.
I didn't think of that. Fortunately Morris 4X4 did think of it. They also threw in all the new seals.

Spindle went on smooth. Only issue was when I installed the new hub, the axle shaft wasn't out far enough out to take the final clip after the hub assembly. Had to "push" things forward from behind the u-joint. Just made it on.

Also strange that no matter how I did it, everytime I tightened up the outer nut on the hub it would tighten down the whole thing. Seems to be good now.

Thanks for the help!
 
Also strange that no matter how I did it, everytime I tightened up the outer nut on the hub it would tighten down the whole thing. Seems to be good now.

Thanks for the help!

Do you have the lock washer inbetween the 2 nuts and locked on the inner nut. The tab that fits in the keyway should keep the outer nut from turning the inner nut.
 
Yes. Washer with bend is on between the two nuts.

I think it's just a matter of how a small amount of change in that first nut can make things too tight or too loose. Since the washer does allow a slight amount of play, I just left it a little loser before tightening down on the second nut. All good now.

I have a quick disc brake question that I'll post on one of the other areas.

Thanks again for all the help.
 

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