This is the write up I did when I replaced the automatic locking hubs on my 1990 Ford Bronco. |
The first thing you have to do is remove the cap by loosening the six bolts and pulling the cap off. This is what it should look like underneath. |
There will be a small bearing insert in the center of the hub that you will need to remove. This was just held in place by the spring on the cap, so it might have fallen out when you removed the cap. This is a picture with it removed. |
Next locate and remove the keeper clip that keeps the locking ring from coming out. You should just be able to grab it and pull it straight out with a pair of needle nose pliers. |
This is just a picture of it pulled halfway out. |
Go ahead and remove the rubber gasket on the outside of the hub if you haven't already. |
Next squeeze the locking ring together and pull outward on the hub assembly.
Don't worry you are doing it right but it may take alot of jiggeling to persuade it to come out. If you have trouble getting a grip on the hub, try inserting a couple of the cap bolts opposite each other for a makeshift handle. |
This is a picture of it pulled halfway out. |
This is what you should see at this point. |
Now look for the retaining ring. It is located just in front of the washer on the splined shaft. It might be kind of hard to see, it will probably be covered with grease. I have cleaned this one and pulled it out some for illustration purposes. The ring only goes a little over halfway around the shaft so removal is easily accomplished with a small screwdriver. |
Next remove the washer from the shaft. This is easily done now that the retaining ring is out of the way. this is a picture of the washer almost out. |
Here are the needed components of the new hub. |
Now you can start installing the new hub. First install the hub internal guts, and make sure they are fully inserted. |
It should be in far enough so that you can see the retaining ring groove. |
Go ahead and install the retaining ring to hold the hub in place. |
Make sure the ring is fully seated before proceeding. |
Next take the small snap ring and insert it into this groove. |
The shaft will have a little play in it and may be pushed in too far to accomplish this. You can reach around the tire and push the shaft back out if you need to. |
Here is the ring fully installed. |
Take note of these line up holes in the hub, these will be used to properly align the cap. |
All thats left now is to bolt on the new cap.
This upgrade was so easy that it only took my three year old daughter 30 minutes to do both sides. |
