Grease around hubs

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Jun 5, 2010 | 05:06 PM

meganjoe

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5th Wheeling

Joined: May 2004

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From: The Poconos, PA

Grease around hubs

Hi Guys.. I have a '95 F-150 4X4. I just noticed it's leaking grease around the area where the manual lockout meets the hub. Is there supposed to be a large o-ring there?? I checked the little screws that hold the selector in place and they are tight. I guess I'll just take it apart and clean it out but wasn't sure about the rubber o-ring or where to get one if i need it... Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Joe

Jun 5, 2010 | 08:28 PM

Eddiec1564

Cargo Master

Joined: Mar 2007

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From: Arcadia, Fla

On my 84 F250, I have grease leakage from the hub when I over packed them. Another possablity is you have overheated the hub with brakes sticking and made the grease runny.

Have the hubs been apart? Good chance that O-ring could of gotten dammaged.

Jun 6, 2010 | 05:09 AM

ac700wildcat

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Joined: Nov 2006

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I had a similar problem with my 94 with the original lockouts and I ended up having to buy a new set of lockouts. If you grab the cap with the lockout and try to wiggle it around with all the bolts still in place and tight, does it move around? If so, I'd say you need a new set of lockouts. I got a set of Warn lockouts at Napa for around $80. They are pretty easy to change. Just pull all the allen head bolts out and pop the cover off. Then there is a snap ring on the spindle that you take off. Next there is another snap ring of sorts that is in a groove in the hub that you need to pull get out. Screw a couple of the bolts back into the lockout and it pulls right out.

If it doesn't move around there is a large o-ring around the cap when you pull it out and that could possibly be shot.

Jun 6, 2010 | 05:17 AM

meganjoe

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5th Wheeling

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 40

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From: The Poconos, PA

Thanks for the replys... I think it may just be the o=ring... Any idea where to get those???

Thanks, Joe

Jun 7, 2010 | 02:04 PM

Eddiec1564

Cargo Master

Joined: Mar 2007

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From: Arcadia, Fla

Push comes to shove, I seen others use RTV to seal the hubs in. I think that will be PITA to get apart but never will have to worry about water getting and grease getting out.

Jun 7, 2010 | 07:50 PM

meganjoe

Thread Starter

5th Wheeling

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 40

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From: The Poconos, PA

Thanks.. I'll consider that...

Joe

Jun 7, 2010 | 08:04 PM

danr1

Lead Driver

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 5,670

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From: Sand Lake, MI

Another possablity is you have overheated the hub with brakes sticking and made the grease runny.

This is very good advice, go for a ride few miles steady cruise then pull over and stop and get out and feel the hub/s. They should be just warm to the touch not at all hot. If one or both are hot a caliper is probalby sticking and will create big problems for you.

There shouldn't be any "liquid" grease in the hub to leak out, just wheel bearing grease packed in the bearings. It is its either to hot and or has water mixed in with it. Regardless the hub/s needs removed, cleaned inspected and the bearings packed, not just resealing the cap/s back on.

And yea I use silicone on the caps too good O ring or not, never know I just might drive in the water and I do not want water in there.
I also pack silicone into the caps bolt heads, filling the allen recess as well as the small gap around em between the head and cap itself. Keeps the two differing metals from corroding/fussing together over time from water/road salt making it all but impossible to remove them, well anything short of drilling them that is.