I have a steering problem that I am working through that sounds similar to the problems described in this thread:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...g-problem.html

I'm replacing ball joints and u-joints on the front axle. I finished the passenger side and am starting in on the driver's side.

On the driver's side, I found that the internals of one of my Warn premium hub lockers was broken. One of the main gears has shattered inside of the hub. I spoke to Warn and they are willing to replace the piece under warranty but want me to send the pair of hub locks back to them before they'll send out the replacements.

The question is: what are your opinions on driving the truck without the hub lockers in place? It seems like the hub locker provides some non-negligible support to the axle stub. Without the locker in place, I worry that too much stress will be placed on the 4wd needle bearings. Maybe I should try to find a used/broken pair or devise some other "dummy" piece to slap in there while I wait for the warranty turn-around.

What do you think?

 

I think the only problem is dirt will get in.

 

If I'm not mistaken the lockers are the only support for the outer stub shaft.

 

The needle bearings support the axle.

 

That's correct but if you grab the outer shaft without the lockers you'll see how much movement is there.

 

Right, there is for sure a lot of movement. When the u-joint froze, the axle was free to move enough to shatter the insides of the locker.

Aside from the inner vacuum seal, the only other support for the axle are the 4x4 needle bearings.

 

So what's the concern, that you might ruin the hub seal?

Seems like the worst thing that might happen (outside of the dirt already mentioned) is that it might get in enough of a bind to turn the axleshaft, which would be just like driving with the hubs locked.

 

You will have to much play and will break off grease zerks for the ball joints and can wreck the needle bearings and the raised portion of the stub that rides on the needle bearings...

 

I guess that I'm less concerned about the seal -- seems like its pretty well protected/supported behind the hub -- and more concerned about the needle bearings, the hub itself, and the axle stub.

 

Exactly! Make sure you have some sort of hub in there to hold that shaft in place. There seems like there is very little movement when you grab it with your hand but driving down the road at 70 is whole different thing. I just went through this driving without guts inside the hubs and when the shaft finally moved enough it started spinning even though the 4x4 wasn't engaged and then it caught the grease zerks. When that happened it felt like the whole front end was coming apart going down the road. Not fun at interstate speeds. It had wore on the outer shaft so much I had to replace that and the bearings, seals and hubs. Gets expensive and that was not paying labor as I did it myself.

 

That's what I was suspicious of. Thanks for the experience and answers.