99.5 f250 superduty 4x4 7.3, auto-trans, manual hubs
Ok during normal driving conditions the front right hub sounds like its trying to engage and makes the most god awful noise. Metal on metal grinding. Sometimes it lasts longer than others but somethings gonna break soon.
Question: can i remove the output shaft going into the hub *** and still be able to operate the truck. Im out of town working and dont have the funds or time to put it in the shop.
Any help or sugg is muchly appreciated. Thanks

 

I don't think that removing the axle will help.
This is what it all looks like, and what you have to remove to get the axle out.
Cheap Hub's are around, check local, or here. http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/doc/nblube.pdf
Seals are around another $ 75.00
Seal tool can be made from I think a 1 1/4 pipe flange, 6" nipple, and cap from Lowes.
I understand when money is short, but you may go down out on the highway somewhere, and you will have to fix it then.

Some of rge pro's will jump in soon.

 

Is everything related to 4X4 turned off or disabled? Hubs free/unlocked/auto?

 

Pull the lock out and see whats going on. I'll guess the spindle bearing went out and the axle is in the hub at an angle. The bearing is cheap and few hours work to do. It may or may not have killed the lock out hub.

Pulling the shaft is a bad idea. It lets dirt in places it shouldn't be. It is also the same amount of work as fixing it and the part is less then $20.

 

Ok been working on it all morn. Pulled the lock off the noisy side and it looked fine. Very little wear. The shaft has a lot of movement in all directions. Very clean outside but sounds very dry when turned by hand. Thought why not pull the other lock out and wouldnt you know it, been driving with one hub locked for about 2 months now. What do i do now. Noise has subsided but still very sloppy shafts.

 

Its not the lock, forget about that, its fine if it still spins free. How much are you calling a lot of movement? With the tire on the truck and it jacked up in the air could you grab the top of the tire and pull it toward you wiggle it back and forth to see if it moves in or out. Sounds like your hub went out, Ive been there and done it a few times. 4 bolts on the back side and last time I bout one it was around $250 but an easy job to do if you have the tools and being a boilermaker Im confident you have something laying around that you can make work