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Removing manual locking warn hubs?
- Thread starter rookie251
- Start date
bluesman2a
Well-known member
depends, do you have the regular hubs, or premiums (gold/metallic knobs on the outside).
They have different "snap ring" styles. The regular hubs, you just use a snap-ring plier.
The premuims have a flat, springsteel ribbon-like thing. There's an end to it that has a little place you can catch it with a little screw driver, but typically I have a dental-pick type tool that finds that nook better. Once you have the end outta the groove, you unwind it like you would a spring and it pulls out.
It's a ***** the first time, but once you get the trick it's pretty easy.
They have different "snap ring" styles. The regular hubs, you just use a snap-ring plier.
The premuims have a flat, springsteel ribbon-like thing. There's an end to it that has a little place you can catch it with a little screw driver, but typically I have a dental-pick type tool that finds that nook better. Once you have the end outta the groove, you unwind it like you would a spring and it pulls out.
It's a ***** the first time, but once you get the trick it's pretty easy.
Chloe Taylor
Banned
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2011
- Messages
- 64
Thanks a lot for sharing the information, as to how one can go for in removing warm hubs manually.
TheGrooveking
Well-known member
Go to fordtrucks.com and look in the superduty section, in the stickies is a very detailed thread with photos on changing out front hubs on a 4x4 Ford. I realize that it is for the SuperDuty, but 1999's had 1998 axles in them, and there really hasn't been that much change to them.
Also check Youtube, there are bunch of videos on changing hubs and/or ball joints on 4x4 Fords.
TheGrooveking
Also check Youtube, there are bunch of videos on changing hubs and/or ball joints on 4x4 Fords.
TheGrooveking
ForceFed70
Well-known member
Had a 85 GM 4x4 with big tires and was always working on the axles.
I seem to remember that it was tricky the 1st time, but really simple after that. There are 2 "rings" that need to come out. The smaller ring on the short shaft is easy, you can remove it with snap ring pliers or just a couple of blade screwdrivers.
The other ring sits deeper inside in a groove in the rotor, is much larger, and is just a piece of wire (round profile). I found that if I used a long blade screwdriver with a small tip I was able to get "under" the ring and easily pry it up/out.
Once you get your 1st one out and learn the "trick" to it, you will find it easy. I could probably remove a complete hub assembly in less time it takes me to collect the tools for the job.
My advice: Make sure you get the lock ring/washer (between the 2 nuts) in the correct location when you put everything back together. That's the hardest part of a hub install and will cause you a lot of greif if you don't do it right.
I seem to remember that it was tricky the 1st time, but really simple after that. There are 2 "rings" that need to come out. The smaller ring on the short shaft is easy, you can remove it with snap ring pliers or just a couple of blade screwdrivers.
The other ring sits deeper inside in a groove in the rotor, is much larger, and is just a piece of wire (round profile). I found that if I used a long blade screwdriver with a small tip I was able to get "under" the ring and easily pry it up/out.
Once you get your 1st one out and learn the "trick" to it, you will find it easy. I could probably remove a complete hub assembly in less time it takes me to collect the tools for the job.
My advice: Make sure you get the lock ring/washer (between the 2 nuts) in the correct location when you put everything back together. That's the hardest part of a hub install and will cause you a lot of greif if you don't do it right.
ForceFed70
Well-known member
Thanks guys I bought some picks. Gonna try again in a couple days. (work tomorrow)
Its a gold metal looking.
Sounds like the premium hub. Standard are silver/chrome, premium are Gold.
csp
Well-known member
Hold the outer snap ring from spinning with one screw driver and pry the end up with another. One end of this ring is beveled so you can get a small flat blade under it.
Huh? The OP's is an '88. There were no '98 F250 or F350 models either. The SD came out in '99 and last of the old body style F250 and F350 was '97. The outers on the front axles of these two are completely different. The Super Duties are a unit bearing design rather than a servicable bearing.
Go to fordtrucks.com and look in the superduty section, in the stickies is a very detailed thread with photos on changing out front hubs on a 4x4 Ford. I realize that it is for the SuperDuty, but 1999's had 1998 axles in them, and there really hasn't been that much change to them.
Huh? The OP's is an '88. There were no '98 F250 or F350 models either. The SD came out in '99 and last of the old body style F250 and F350 was '97. The outers on the front axles of these two are completely different. The Super Duties are a unit bearing design rather than a servicable bearing.
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TheGrooveking
Well-known member
Hold the outer snap ring from spinning with one screw driver and pry the end up with another. One end of this ring is beveled so you can get a small flat blade under it.
Huh? The OP's is an '88. There were no '98 F250 or F350 models either. The SD came out in '99 and last of the old body style F250 and F350 was '97. The outers on the front axles of these two are completely different. The Super Duties are a unit bearing design rather than a servicable bearing.
Wrong, there were F250 and F350 of the older body style available new in 98model year, the SuperDuty series actually started shipping in July of 1998, I received mine on July 6, 1998. That is why when you check parts listings for 99 Super Duty trucks you'll find a reference of pre-March 99 or after March 99, pre March has the same axles as the 98 models. I learned this the first time I had to replace the rotors/brake pads. So this also explains why the hubs on the pre-March 99's are $650, versus the $200 to $350 for the after March 99 model.
The old style F250's & F350 were called Heavy Duty series.
TheGrooveking
csp
Well-known member
I didn't say there weren't trucks available in '98. I said that there was no "1998" model year. Those of the old body style sold in '98 were called '97 model year trucks by Ford. Those that were SuperDuty's sold in late '98 were called '99 model year trucks by Ford.
It's the same thing as Corvettes sold in '83 as '84 model year. There is no such thing as an '83 Corvette.
The only pre-99 truck sold as "Heavy Duty" truck was the '97 F250 and it's only the exterior badging. In '97 the light duty F250 that shared the same body as the '97 F150 came out so the badging separated the F250 with the 8800lb GVWR. Any F250 that's '96 and older does not say "Heavy Duty". I happen to own a 97 F250 "Heavy Duty". The '97 F350 badging didn't say "Heavy Duty". It was the same as prior years, either as XL or XLT. One of my good friends owns a '97 F350.
Regardless, the OP is still talking about an '88 which really has nothing to do with this discussion. The outers and front axle in general are nothing like your early '99.
It's the same thing as Corvettes sold in '83 as '84 model year. There is no such thing as an '83 Corvette.
The only pre-99 truck sold as "Heavy Duty" truck was the '97 F250 and it's only the exterior badging. In '97 the light duty F250 that shared the same body as the '97 F150 came out so the badging separated the F250 with the 8800lb GVWR. Any F250 that's '96 and older does not say "Heavy Duty". I happen to own a 97 F250 "Heavy Duty". The '97 F350 badging didn't say "Heavy Duty". It was the same as prior years, either as XL or XLT. One of my good friends owns a '97 F350.
Regardless, the OP is still talking about an '88 which really has nothing to do with this discussion. The outers and front axle in general are nothing like your early '99.
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BlindViper
Well-known member
Wrong, there were F250 and F350 of the older body style available new in 98model year, the SuperDuty series actually started shipping in July of 1998, I received mine on July 6, 1998. That is why when you check parts listings for 99 Super Duty trucks you'll find a reference of pre-March 99 or after March 99, pre March has the same axles as the 98 models. I learned this the first time I had to replace the rotors/brake pads. So this also explains why the hubs on the pre-March 99's are $650, versus the $200 to $350 for the after March 99 model.
The old style F250's & F350 were called Heavy Duty series.
TheGrooveking
There was a 98 f250 available in 98 but it was only available with a gas motor and it was rounder body style f150s. There was no 98 f250hd or f350hd.
When u get the spiral ring out bend the tab up a bit it will make removing it easier next time. I use a small pair of needle nose pliers to get mine loose
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