A couple of years ago, I finally got smart enough to ditch my auto locking hubs. I put on Warn standard duty hubs, as they didn't have the premiums in stock at the time. (And there was a foot and a half of fresh snow on the ground) I recently started getting the steering binding that signifies front axle U-joint problems.

The driver's side was worst, so it was first. The u-joint wasn't worn loose, but rather it was siezed up. So bad that I could flex it in one direction with difficulty, and the other was so stuck, I had to use leverage to move it. I hadn't noticed when taking it apart, but when reassembling, I noticed that the hub has some wear on it. It's worn on the back, where the ring that holds the hub together rides- it's cut into the housing a bit. Also, the plastic surface on the inside of the engaging **** has been fairly hot. Hot enough that it's worn it down pretty good.

Could the binding up of the u-joints have caused it? Obviously, I'm going to need new hubs, but I'd like to know what caused it so I can prevent a recurrence. The wheel bearings and spindle are fine- no heat spots on either. The hubs still work, too. On my first test drive after reassembly, I drove about 10 miles at 40-50 mph, and when I stopped the hubs were noticably warm to the touch. Both sides. Not hot- I could have left my hand on it indefinitely, but they were still warm. Torque specs I used on the spindle are: Inner nut- 50 ft-lbs, then back off 1/4 turn. Outer locking nut 160 ft-lbs. This is per the Warn instruction sheet.

 

Yes the frozen u joint was probably the cause of the lockout/hub damage, the stub shaft is only locked centered when the hub is locked. When in the free position the stub shaft is free to waller around inside the hub with very little to nothing to stop it from damaging other parts as it does so.

If the hub/lockout has minimal damage i'd probably just run it now that the u joint has been replace, depending on how bad it is, only you can be the judge of that had been the one to see it.

It should get warm to the touch but no hotter, never to hot to keep you from keeping your hand on it.