Lost two passenger side locking hubs

joescool2008 · Aug 21, 2014

I have a 94 Ranger with the D35 front. I have wore out two sets of warn lock hubs on the passenger side specifically. I have noticed the inner splines wear out in the lock out hubs and the splined washer that goes on before the clip seems to wear on that side as well. Anyone have a clue about what is going on? I just replaced the U joint this winter when I noticed that side was acting up again, it had the original U joint in it. Would that have caused my issue? Also noticed my truck has a limited slip rear axle, I am not the original owner of this but I have had it for around 3 years and replaced quite a bit on it.

SenorNoob · Aug 21, 2014

I think I know what you're saying but can't be sure. Can you post up a pic or two?

AgPete139 · Aug 22, 2014

It sounds to me like you need a new axle shaft spindle bearing that is internally located in the spindle.

It will look more like a needle bearing, but I found this:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/BCA0/5707/03337.oap?year=1994&make=Ford&model=Ranger&vi=5007439&ck=Search_axle+bearing_03337_5007439_-1&keyword=axle+bearing&pt=03337&ppt=C0362

It prevents your axle shaft from wobbling in circles inside of your spindle. The only two points of contact are the D35 different housing/pumpkin, and the lockout hub itself.

You are essentially holding a bendy straw at both ends and spinning the straw around in circles (like a jump rope (double-dutch style).

The bearing the the other point of contact, and THEN the washer & circlip that prevents the axle from slipping into the spindle.

swynx · Aug 22, 2014

when my spindle bearings were bad i had play, in/out, jack it up and see if you can move it around by grabbing the tire.

AgPete139 · Aug 22, 2014

swynx said:
when my spindle bearings were bad i had play, in/out, jack it up and see if you can move it around by grabbing the tire.

Swynx, this is bad advice for the axle shaft play. You check wheel bearings in this fashion. If he had poor wheel bearings, then jacking up the wheel and wiggling the tire around would show a loose wheel ON the spindle. This, however, does not move the axle for play.

Joe, if you are so inclined, you could lock your front hubs in 4WD. Engine can be off to do this. Reach underneath, and wiggle your exposed D35 passenger axle shaft...

...this should reveal SOME play, but it's not always the best indicator for a total failure like yours. It only takes a little bit of wiggle to screw up the hub splines. (This is also assuming that the axle shaft does not retreat out of the hub with the washer and circlip/retainer clip installed.)

I found a picture of the axle shaft spindle bearing:

Again, any auto part store or online store should have it.

swynx · Aug 22, 2014

like last year or whatever i asked about some slop in the front end and was told that it was the spindle bearings, i could pull the axle in and out. i replaced them and it went away.

AgPete139 · Aug 22, 2014

If you were able to pull the axle IN and OUT, then you needed a circlip/retainer clip on the axle shaft itself. A bearing does not hold a part in place; it merely allows it to spin with less friction and obstruction.

The spindle bearing would allow less slop in the vertical direction, thus allowing it to slide out LESS...yes, of course. But it does not hold the axle in the spindle.

You are right about it being the axle shaft spindle bearings. You are not right about the checking process by shaking the tire with the wheel off the ground. That method is used to mainly check WHEEL BEARINGS that are EXTERNAL of the spindle. The wheel bearings are in the brake rotor, and allow the wheels to spin freely. The wheel bearings are INDEPENDENT of the axle engagement.

joescool2008 · Aug 22, 2014

These spindle bearings are in the hub right? If the bearings for the axle shaft inside the differential were bad would that also cause the same issue?

joescool2008 · Aug 22, 2014

here is a picture of the bad hub.

this is the good hub, all splines look nice and it has less in and out play as well, both hubs lock but the passenger side one has in and out play on the splined section.

SenorNoob · Aug 22, 2014

The spindle bearings are behind the spindle. Which is the solid metal part bolted onto the knuckle that the wheel bearings set on.

Also known as this:

AgPete139 · Aug 25, 2014

joescool2008 said:
These spindle bearings are in the hub right? If the bearings for the axle shaft inside the differential were bad would that also cause the same issue?

The spindle bearings are in the spindle. You need to remove the spindle and get it from the backside.

Are you talking about the axle shaft into the differential housing? The differential housing already has a left & a right "carrier bearing" that is in the differential.

AgPete139 · Aug 25, 2014

Oh, good job, SenorNoob.

Joe, regarding the hub, it is normal to have "in and out play" like you have described.

TESTING THE HUB FOR WORKING CONDITION:

1.) While the hub is UNLOCKED, stick your finger inside and try to spin the splines around in there. Spins = good. Not spins = bad.

2.) While the hub is LOCKED, stick your finger inside and try to spin the splines around in there. Spins = now it's bad. Not spins = working correctly.

Keep us updated.

joescool2008 · Aug 26, 2014

Alright I got a new seal and spindle bearing going to install them shortly, both lockouts are "locked" and do not spin when they are in the lock mode. It definitely seems like the disengagement is due to the in/out movement due to binding at that spindle. We will see in a hour or so.

joescool2008 · Aug 26, 2014

Spindle bearings move very freely and do not seem to have any issues but the spindle itself has some marks in it where it looks like it corroded or something from sitting, i may just hit it up with some 800grit sandpaper. Where could I buy a new spindle if I need one? I looked on autozone and advance autos sites and did not see it avaliable.

SenorNoob · Aug 26, 2014

With ABS

Without ABS

That picture look familiar?^

I'd hit up the junkyard though. It should be quite a bit cheaper.

AgPete139, Was that serious or sarcasm? I can't tell.
http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-82007-oem-d35-ttb-spindle-with-abs-brake.html

Lost two passenger side locking hubs

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