Ron. I need to replace my front end drive universals. I would like to know what the configuration of the keeper ring is on the Ford automatic hubs. It would appear to be a wire ring that must be compressed to allow its passage out of the hub, but before I struggle too much with it, and destroy it, I thought that I would see who knows the technique for removal.
Thanks, RON

 

That snap ring holds the body assembly in place , its a simple matter of squeezing the two prongs of the snap ring together with a pair of needle nose pliers and pulling it out .

 

Ron Thanks for confirming my thoughts. I am, perhaps, being overly cautious because I just recently forced a similar appearing "snap ring" from the fuel injector pump on my Case backhoe only to find that there is (was) an additional keeper clip which should have been removed first. Case is not known for their inexpensive replacement parts. Thanks again.
By the way. When I removed the first bearing assembly, there was evidence of frit corrosion, althought the unit was definitely lubricated. I have been informed that in the colder climates, that the only lubrication required or advised is ATF. Any thoughts as to this? I guess that I would like to use a silicone grease or oil which would prevent moisture and provide good low and high temperature lubrication.Ron

 

Are you talking about the wheel bearings ? If so , The only lubrication is grease . When you reassemble the hubs , clean the hubs & bearings & repack the hub & both inner & outer bearings with grease .

 

Paul, Thanks for your advice, but I am asking for information on the automatic hub assembly lubrication, not the wheel bearings. I have been told that for cold climate areas these should be lubricated with ATF only due to the potential of the cold weather effect on grease, and the resultant effect on the hub's capability to engage or disengage. My concern is that the ATF would not prevent condensation in the assembly and the resultant corrosion of which I see evidence in one of the hubs. It so happens that this particular hub has little or no grease in it and has, in fact been the balky unit. The other side does have grease in it and, as far as I know has not balked in either engagement or disengagment.
I'd like to get the consensus of several Ford truck owners on this subject.
Thanks again and please let me know what your experience has been in this regard.
Ron

 

arapco,I've been working on Ford trucks and cars in a dealership for over 20 years in Ct.the only thing you should use to pack the hubs is grease.atf will not stay in the hubs too long and will mix with moisture causing corrosion.the hubs and bearings should be cleaned and packed at least every 30,000 miles,more often if they exposed to a lot of water,offroading,snow plowing,ect..

 

kipit: That is good information and quite different from what I was told by one of the mechanics at Jay Kilheeney Ford in Lock Haven, PA. Maybe that's why so many people around here despise auto hubs and convert to manual almost immediately.
I couldn't imagine how ATF could serve as a lubricant and moisture repellent. I'm glad to get your info, especially since I finished putting the front end of the truck together and used wheel bearing grease in the Auto Hubs. They engage and disengage fine. Of course it's 50 degrees today so they haven't seen cold weather yet.
Thanks again.
Ron