Front Diff/ Hub issue?

[Holdman]

Hey I have a 1987 T4R SR5 I just bought today for $590. Took it 4wheeling with a buddy of mine on some minor trails, and got it hung up, when I went to lock in the hubs, and the transfer, was getting the front shaft turning, but the front wheels were doing nothing. New to the offroad scene, and not sure where I should start trouble shooting. It is the 5-speed 3.0L V6. Thanks! Will post some pics and videos soon!

 

[zombie]

You probably need to clean and lube the hubs. Not a big deal and there is lots of info on how to do it. I was out with a few jeeps a couple of weeks ago and it was pointed out to me that my front wheels weren't spinning and sure enough they weren't locking. Kept up with the jeeps though. Helped along by the aussie locker in the rear no doubt.
Enjoy your truck.

 

[Hyde802]

Yup, take your hubs apart and grease everything. Wouldant be a bad idea to change/check the rest of the fluids in the truck (engine oil, front and read diff, tranny and t case oil)

Click the sticky at the top of the Classics forum to get download a factory service manual.

 

[Holdman]

Awesome. Thanks alot! Jumpin on that this morning!

 

[zombie]

Make it a part of youre regular maintenance to do it spring and fall. Note that this is a time when too much grease in there does not help, use it sparingly. New gaskets and rubber o rings at the dealer are pretty cheap and watch out for the tiny ball bearing, it will go flying into the worst place it can to make things more complicated for you. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Holdman]

Great, thanks alot! I've been going over that manual and im not really sure where to start. I'm an army mechanic so I do know the basics of the stuff. I just got to find the motivation for it. And just to throw it out there, I kept up with a Silverado on the trails that the 4x4 WAS working on

 

[Holdman]

So i have the cover for the manual hub on passenger side off, and discover the halfshaft isnt all the way into the hub. drivers side is fine, got front end in the air and turned the tires. everything turned EXCEPT driver tire...its got the AISIN manual locking but not sure how i can get the extra 1/4'' - 1/2''??

 

[GonOvr]

Don't mark me on this.

I believe there is supposed to be a ring clip that goes on before the hub goes on. Then a washer and bolt go on after the hub is installed.

 

[Holdman]

the spines for the wheel-end of the axle arent even into the hub, and i cant get any play to get it to reach the outer teeth. were they different length from driver to passenger and maybe someone didnt know what they were doing in the past or what?

 

[Holdman]

i dont have the entire hub apart, pretty much broke down to that bottom pic you posted. except my axle is like 1/2'' to 1'' further in

 

[GonOvr]

i dont have the entire hub apart, pretty much broke down to that bottom pic you posted. except my axle is like 1/2'' to 1'' further in

You need to pull the axle out, it does move. More than likely your are missing that ring clip or it is broken.

 

[Holdman]

thanks, first time ever messing w/manual hubs, lol. so pull the axle out of the diff, then it should come right out?

 

[Holdman]

Theres a pic of it. was reading that some (depending on year) had the c-clip and some has a 12mm bolt. mine has the bolt, if that changes anything

 

[KidVermicious]

thanks, first time ever messing w/manual hubs, lol. so pull the axle out of the diff, then it should come right out?

Bwahahahaha!

Theres a pic of it. was reading that some (depending on year) had the c-clip and some has a 12mm bolt. mine has the bolt, if that changes anything

Yours has both. Or it should, anyway. My '86 does.

You're right that that axle isn't nearly seated in the hub. It's going to stick out of the hub about an inch when it's fully seated, and you'll see the channel for a spacer and the c-clip. If you look at your good side, you'll see what I mean. The 12mm bolt and washer in the end is insurance in case the clip fails.

I think you might have a wrong CV though, because I'm having a hard time envisioning the tripod joints compressing enough to let that sit like that. In theory, once you unbolt the CV from the axle flange, it should drop right out. In practice, there's no way in hell, and anybody who says their CVs drop right out is lying or has a deal with the devil.

I'd replace the CV shaft. They're cheap. Pound the studs out of the axle flange while you're doing it and save yourself a headache.