Front end Rebuild advice
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 26
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Front end Rebuild advice
Hi all,
First just want to say I really appreciate all the great info on this site from some very informed mechanics.
I own a 03 superduty, and was listening to a very annoying clunking every time I turned the wheel. I blamed it on the universals. I also know it was time for ball joints, so today I took a day off from work to tackle the job.
Followed racerguys thread on removal, and must say it was excellent. My hubs were on so hard, I needed an industrial size jaw puller to remove them. Just about broke the bolts on the jaws trying to remove hub. The lower studs on the hub were absolutely froze, and were bent on the way out it was stuck so bad. Anyways, all is apart now, and I realize that my universals are ok, and clunking is from right side axle never disengaging. I think? It was still engaged. I plan on replacing all ball joints, axle seals, hub seals, universals while I'm there, and of course new hub studs. My question is concerning the auto lock hubs. I wish to fix or replace with better working. Can someone tell me what is best approach here, and what to get?
First just want to say I really appreciate all the great info on this site from some very informed mechanics.
I own a 03 superduty, and was listening to a very annoying clunking every time I turned the wheel. I blamed it on the universals. I also know it was time for ball joints, so today I took a day off from work to tackle the job.
Followed racerguys thread on removal, and must say it was excellent. My hubs were on so hard, I needed an industrial size jaw puller to remove them. Just about broke the bolts on the jaws trying to remove hub. The lower studs on the hub were absolutely froze, and were bent on the way out it was stuck so bad. Anyways, all is apart now, and I realize that my universals are ok, and clunking is from right side axle never disengaging. I think? It was still engaged. I plan on replacing all ball joints, axle seals, hub seals, universals while I'm there, and of course new hub studs. My question is concerning the auto lock hubs. I wish to fix or replace with better working. Can someone tell me what is best approach here, and what to get?
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
With the axle engaged, the axle shafts & front drive shaft will turn when you are moving. So if either axle shaft or a drive shaft u joint is gone you may hear a clucking noise..
If you plan to replace the auto locking hubs, I'd go with the Warn manual locking hubs... I'm not a fan of auto locking hubs, over time they usually fail.
If you plan to replace the auto locking hubs, I'd go with the Warn manual locking hubs... I'm not a fan of auto locking hubs, over time they usually fail.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Some people like the stock ESOF hubs (like me) because they are convenient and you can still lock the manually if you have to. They will take some upkeep though if you want to keep them. If you take your hubs off and clean/grease then and replace the seals (if they are bad) your sticking hub should unstick itself and then you won't have that wiggly feel caused by the u-joints anymore. Check for vacuum leak to that side also.
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