Wheel Hubs - Hot?

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Sep 23, 2006 | 05:31 PM

RhinoScores

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From: sourthern NJ

Wheel Hubs - Hot?

I just finished putting new wheel bearings, rotor/hub and brakes on both the front of my 94 Bronco. After test driving, I noticed the auto-lock covers are extremely hot. They would burn your hand if you held it longer than a few seconds. Is this normal or did I do something wrong?

Sep 23, 2006 | 06:03 PM

kameronth

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From: North Dakota

I am prety sure that it is normal. They just get hot from the brakes and spinning. I would not be concerned about it.

Sep 23, 2006 | 07:01 PM

MinnManBroncoFan

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From: Richfield MN

You might have a stuck caliper the was the inside of your pads wore more then your outside ones ?

Sep 23, 2006 | 07:02 PM

RhinoScores

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From: sourthern NJ

Thanks. Now I'll be looking for a Bronco to pull into a parking lot and wait for the driver to walk away so I can go feel the hubs.

Sep 23, 2006 | 07:06 PM

dwoodler

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From: Edmonton, Alberta

I would! The hubs should only be HOT! if you braked for an extremely long period of time. The hubs should be warm but never hot enough that they would burn you, IMO. Over tightening of the wheel bearings will cause the hubs to get hot too. They torque required for the wheel bearings is only the weight of your ratchet being pushed and released from midpoint and letting it swing down (and not with a big widn up either!) The inner nut only has to keep the bearings from having any movement when you grab the rotor at the top and bottom and rock it. It's better to be too loose and have a little motion and have to tighten it a little more than to over tighten it. Overtightening will lead to premature bearing failure.

Sep 23, 2006 | 07:06 PM

RhinoScores

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From: sourthern NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by MinnManBroncoFan

You might have a stuck caliper the was the inside of your pads wore more then your outside ones ?

Calipers, pads, rotors and all hardware are new, as are the wheel bearings. The only used parts of the autolocking hub that the previous owner put on it. By the way, the autohubs are different models from each other. One has three torx screws in the cap and the other has five. The guts are totally different also. I may have to go get some Warn locking hubs.

Sep 23, 2006 | 07:45 PM

b4hntn

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From: Longview, TX

I know many are moaning when auto hubs are mentioned....I still have them also. For you to compare, when I have been on the highway in Texas Summer and stop at six traffic lights before reaching home I have felt the auto hubs upon arrival. They are hot but not like a grill lid with three seconds max touch. If I really wanted to I could continue touching the hubs for a long time. It would be painful but may not burn. Last serviced about 100k ago.