What is this hub cover/nut and how in the world do I get it off? It looks like a normal 92 bronco auto hub from the outer cap but this part is 6 screws/lugs and is too big (2 3/4" across) for any of the tools I've tried. Any ideas?

 

That is the old ford auto locking hub. To remove it you need to remove the spring clip from the hub, take a pick or thin screw driver, find the end of the clip and work it out from the hub. While you are at it go ahead and replace the auto lockers with a set of manual locking hubs, and get a service manual if you dont have one already.

 

That'd be too easy. It doesn't have a spring clip. At least not externally.

Service manual (haynes) by the way gives me nothing for removing this outer hub lock. Autozone doesnt list the tool either. At least not for a bronco... I'm thinking it may be from a bigger dana axle. Its 2 3/4" or 70mm across.

 

This is the right size and number of lugs but I dont see how it would fit my hub.
OTC 1953M Locknut Socket,Metric,Points 6,70mm | Bizrate

 

Are you looking in the right place for the spring clip that Southern Bronco mentioned?

Look inside the hub (the hub that is connected to the rotor, not the auto locking hub) a ways in from the outer opening. On the inner diameter of the pipe-like hub part coming out towards you.

 

there right, the clip is there, a pick and small needle nose and you've got it. its right in side the outer lip of the hub. sometimes putting pressure inwards on the hub assembly makes it easier

 

Here is a picture of my 78 hub. You might be able to see the small groove just on the inside.



See if you can feel inside your hub for something like this if you could. If so, then you should have a ring in there. I don't know what brand those are but mine are Warn hubs. They could be similar.



That's the snap ring.

 

the above sums it up, i believe on the later models its a rounded c-clip instead of the flatened version on the 78-79

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11243835

Here is a good write up of how to replace hubs. Encho made it.

 

OK so I looked past my nose (and a whole lotta grease) and found the snap ring (thanks guys) but I'm having a heck of a time tryin to fight it outta there with a pick and a small screw driver. I can barely access it with those and my 'needle nose' wont even get close. Any helpful tips? thanks

 

best combo i found to do it is a medium flat head to hold one end of the clip in place and a hook end pick to get behind and under the other end, if that makes sense

 

that was my idea but i cant find my hook end pick! i've got to let people stop borrowing my tools haha

 

yea, its always the borrowed ones you need the most, remember the less grease around the ring the easier it will be to remove

 

Ehh I guess we should have warned you that it is a huge PITA getting that damn thing out. I used a small screwdriver to slide in the groove till I hit the end, then pried it up and slid another to keep it up, then had the tip of the small screw driver bent a bit and used it like a pick to pull it put. It takes time and patients.