How do I remove my locking hubs?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Charles Town, WV
How do I remove my locking hubs?
Hello, This is my first post here. I recently bought a 2003 F-250 Crew Cab Lariat with a 7.3L PSD. Everything has been great until recently when I've started to notice some clunking, and now howling out of the left front wheel. I checked for bearing play and there is none, the bearing is solid and doesn't seem to make noise. The Auto hub seems to be the culprit here, seeing as how the dial on the end of it is completely frozen in place. Also, I can get it to engage all the time, but I can't seem to get it to disengage every time.
I did some searching on the forum, and found out all kinds of info WHY this happens, but not actually HOW to remove the locking hub. The shop manual says to remove the snap ring, and pull out. Yeah, right. I sat out there for 2 hours with a dead blow hammer lightly and moderately tapping the hub to try and get it to come off, and it wouldn't.
Has anyone pulled the locking hub before? Should it be as simple as just pulling it straight off?
Here's a picture of the truck. I picked it up in Dec. with 35K on it. I've been told a 7.3 in an 03 is pretty rare. Is that true?
http://yellow69shark.dyndns.org:2626...2501.sized.jpg
I did some searching on the forum, and found out all kinds of info WHY this happens, but not actually HOW to remove the locking hub. The shop manual says to remove the snap ring, and pull out. Yeah, right. I sat out there for 2 hours with a dead blow hammer lightly and moderately tapping the hub to try and get it to come off, and it wouldn't.
Has anyone pulled the locking hub before? Should it be as simple as just pulling it straight off?
Here's a picture of the truck. I picked it up in Dec. with 35K on it. I've been told a 7.3 in an 03 is pretty rare. Is that true?
http://yellow69shark.dyndns.org:2626...2501.sized.jpg
Last edited by Racerguy; Mar 29, 2005 at 08:30 AM.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
...Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! Please read the Guidelines, it will help you to navigate through and understand this site.
Stick around someone will be by shortly to answer your question.
We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.
Stick around someone will be by shortly to answer your question.
We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 1
From: IL, USA
Right, just the snap ring holds it in. Mine wouldn't come out by hand, so I tapped it twice and it pulled right out.
I have Warn Premiums now.
It was only early '03s that got the last of the 7.3 PSDs....then they switched to the 6.0 PSD.
I have Warn Premiums now.
It was only early '03s that got the last of the 7.3 PSDs....then they switched to the 6.0 PSD.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Charles Town, WV
Originally Posted by Yeti
Look under the FAQ's for ball joint replacement...racerguy had directions with pics , and explains how to on the hubs.
I'll check it out, thanks!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Steve Straus,
I had one hell of a time getting my stock hub-locks out the very first time, just as you are. I had tried hitting it with a block of wood & a rubber mallet and it still wouldn't budge. As a last act of desperation, I wrapped my hands around the hublock, and yanked up and down HARD while pulling out. Needless to say I was yanking & pulling so hard I ended up on my back after it popped out. Getting the hublock to fully seat while re-installing was an experience too! Each time I went to put the retaining ring back on, it would just pop off. Again, out of desperation, I ended up laying on the floor and giving the hub a firm, square kick, and it popped into place. If it is the hublock that is causing all your problems, I'd suggest getting a good set of aftermarket hublocks. . .I ended up cleaning my stock hublocks every time I'd come back from offroading and I got sick of it. I put on a set of Warn's, and haven't had a lick of trouble since then. (You will lose the auto-locking feature of your hubs if you do replace them with aftermarkets.)
Good luck and let us know how it turns out!!
I had one hell of a time getting my stock hub-locks out the very first time, just as you are. I had tried hitting it with a block of wood & a rubber mallet and it still wouldn't budge. As a last act of desperation, I wrapped my hands around the hublock, and yanked up and down HARD while pulling out. Needless to say I was yanking & pulling so hard I ended up on my back after it popped out. Getting the hublock to fully seat while re-installing was an experience too! Each time I went to put the retaining ring back on, it would just pop off. Again, out of desperation, I ended up laying on the floor and giving the hub a firm, square kick, and it popped into place. If it is the hublock that is causing all your problems, I'd suggest getting a good set of aftermarket hublocks. . .I ended up cleaning my stock hublocks every time I'd come back from offroading and I got sick of it. I put on a set of Warn's, and haven't had a lick of trouble since then. (You will lose the auto-locking feature of your hubs if you do replace them with aftermarkets.)
Good luck and let us know how it turns out!!
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Charles Town, WV
Originally Posted by Munkey
Steve Straus,
I had one hell of a time getting my stock hub-locks out the very first time, just as you are. I had tried hitting it with a block of wood & a rubber mallet and it still wouldn't budge. As a last act of desperation, I wrapped my hands around the hublock, and yanked up and down HARD while pulling out. Needless to say I was yanking & pulling so hard I ended up on my back after it popped out. Getting the hublock to fully seat while re-installing was an experience too! Each time I went to put the retaining ring back on, it would just pop off. Again, out of desperation, I ended up laying on the floor and giving the hub a firm, square kick, and it popped into place. If it is the hublock that is causing all your problems, I'd suggest getting a good set of aftermarket hublocks. . .I ended up cleaning my stock hublocks every time I'd come back from offroading and I got sick of it. I put on a set of Warn's, and haven't had a lick of trouble since then. (You will lose the auto-locking feature of your hubs if you do replace them with aftermarkets.)
Good luck and let us know how it turns out!!
I had one hell of a time getting my stock hub-locks out the very first time, just as you are. I had tried hitting it with a block of wood & a rubber mallet and it still wouldn't budge. As a last act of desperation, I wrapped my hands around the hublock, and yanked up and down HARD while pulling out. Needless to say I was yanking & pulling so hard I ended up on my back after it popped out. Getting the hublock to fully seat while re-installing was an experience too! Each time I went to put the retaining ring back on, it would just pop off. Again, out of desperation, I ended up laying on the floor and giving the hub a firm, square kick, and it popped into place. If it is the hublock that is causing all your problems, I'd suggest getting a good set of aftermarket hublocks. . .I ended up cleaning my stock hublocks every time I'd come back from offroading and I got sick of it. I put on a set of Warn's, and haven't had a lick of trouble since then. (You will lose the auto-locking feature of your hubs if you do replace them with aftermarkets.)
Good luck and let us know how it turns out!!
7) Remove the outer hub by squeezing the retaining ring and then pulling the hub out. Sometimes it will take a bit of persuasion with a soft faced hammer to remove it.
Munkey Thanks, I'll go see if I can throw out my back by yanking on them!
. I'll give it a shot tomorrow. I'm not interested in manual hubs btw, I like turning the switch 
. Besides, it's 2005. I'm not crank starting the engine, either.I'm really wondering if buying this truck was a good idea. This is actually the first Ford I have ever owned. Something happened a few years ago that swayed me away from GM products for the rest of my life. If you knew how many GM cars my family owns, for how long, and how many I personally own, how much work I have done with them, you'd understand just how serious that statement is. I really hope these hubs going out aren't the start of the typical american made car syndrome. I've been driving Toyota's since I switched from GM and enjoyed something rare, I never once had to fix anything on them. My wife's 4Runner has never had to have a thing done to it, except oil changes, etc. If Toyota made something the size of the SD, I would buy it. Please tell me these Super Duty's are mostly trouble free.
Sorry, I'm just pissed cause AZ lost...
Thanks!
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 848
Likes: 3
From: Kokomo
Hate to say it, but you have the hubs, ball joints, tie-rod ends, and mayby a wheel bearing to look forward to replacing. As for being a good truck, I am guessing you will have one of the best vehicals you have ever owned, the 7.3 is built proof, gets great milage and has great power, the 4R100 is pretty strong and long lasting as long as you don't start putting big power to it, the axles are super tough, as is the entire truck! Don't let little stuff like the hubs get you down, pull them out and get them cleaned up, a lot of dirt, sand, and grime get in them and they need cleaned every now and then, after you do it once it takes no time and can be a once a year thing if you don't use it much....
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Charles Town, WV
Originally Posted by SMiller
Hate to say it, but you have the hubs, ball joints, tie-rod ends, and mayby a wheel bearing to look forward to replacing. As for being a good truck, I am guessing you will have one of the best vehicals you have ever owned, the 7.3 is built proof, gets great milage and has great power, the 4R100 is pretty strong and long lasting as long as you don't start putting big power to it, the axles are super tough, as is the entire truck! Don't let little stuff like the hubs get you down, pull them out and get them cleaned up, a lot of dirt, sand, and grime get in them and they need cleaned every now and then, after you do it once it takes no time and can be a once a year thing if you don't use it much....
In any case, would the hub cause howling? I mean, it IS engaging, and it eventually does disengage. It's not really grinding or clunking. The noise really sounds like a wheel bearing, except the bearing has virtually no play and doesn't make any noise when I turn the wheel while it's up on a jackstand.
It's been raining like hell since I've posed this, so I haven't had a chance to get back out there and pull them.
This truck is my daily driver, so it mostly sees road use. I've pulled a 26 ft. travel trailer twice with it now. I'm thoroughly impressed with the way it pulled up a 6% grade.
About the only thing I'm going to pull regularly with it is my 69 Corvette on a trailer. I'm also going to be restoring an old Spectra jet boat next year, so that'll be towed behind this truck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
I think the new 5-spd trannies started being put in '04's, not in '03's. Same thing about your 2nd question about the rarity of a 7.3 in an '03. . .I think '04 was the year where there was a mix of 7.3's and 6.0's.
My truck just started to show signs of hub (not hublock) or bearing failure. It's howling like crazy and it'll come and go as I hit bumps in the road. I've checked, re-checked, and double checked my bearings and they spin free with no noise, and there is no play. So, I'd be willing to bet it's your hub / bearing assembly and not just the auto hublock.
My truck just started to show signs of hub (not hublock) or bearing failure. It's howling like crazy and it'll come and go as I hit bumps in the road. I've checked, re-checked, and double checked my bearings and they spin free with no noise, and there is no play. So, I'd be willing to bet it's your hub / bearing assembly and not just the auto hublock.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Charles Town, WV
Originally Posted by Munkey
I think the new 5-spd trannies started being put in '04's, not in '03's. Same thing about your 2nd question about the rarity of a 7.3 in an '03. . .I think '04 was the year where there was a mix of 7.3's and 6.0's.
My truck just started to show signs of hub (not hublock) or bearing failure. It's howling like crazy and it'll come and go as I hit bumps in the road. I've checked, re-checked, and double checked my bearings and they spin free with no noise, and there is no play. So, I'd be willing to bet it's your hub / bearing assembly and not just the auto hublock.
My truck just started to show signs of hub (not hublock) or bearing failure. It's howling like crazy and it'll come and go as I hit bumps in the road. I've checked, re-checked, and double checked my bearings and they spin free with no noise, and there is no play. So, I'd be willing to bet it's your hub / bearing assembly and not just the auto hublock.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 0
From: Near DC
My '03 SD PSD has a 100k mile warranty on power and drive train.
I was under the impression that was the norm.
Here is what I thought..
Someone please correct me if I am wrong......
Engine (and alternator, etc), tranny, hubs, axle all 100k warranty.
Right? Wrong?
???
I was under the impression that was the norm.
Here is what I thought..
Someone please correct me if I am wrong......
Engine (and alternator, etc), tranny, hubs, axle all 100k warranty.
Right? Wrong?
???
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Steve Straus,
As mentioned before, it's one of the weak links in our trucks. I just turned 61k miles on my bearings before they started howling, but there have been reports of people needing replacements at 30k. I'd take it to a good, trusted shop and have them take a look at it.
Steve_250,
You've got a 100k warranty on your PSD engine only. Other than the 3yr./36k warranty, there is no powertrain warranty. The factory warranty booklet with your owners manual gives a list of all components covered under the PSD 100k warranty.
As mentioned before, it's one of the weak links in our trucks. I just turned 61k miles on my bearings before they started howling, but there have been reports of people needing replacements at 30k. I'd take it to a good, trusted shop and have them take a look at it.
Steve_250,
You've got a 100k warranty on your PSD engine only. Other than the 3yr./36k warranty, there is no powertrain warranty. The factory warranty booklet with your owners manual gives a list of all components covered under the PSD 100k warranty.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post