Single Hump Locking Key front wheel assembly

[BrantonJ]

Hey y'all, been awhile since I've posted on the forum but I ran into some trouble with the front bearing assembly on my 1993 XLT last Saturday.
I was putting on new rotors and brake pads and the infamous Single Hump Locking Key from for the bearing nut had broken in half. I managed to get the rotor back on, along with the pads and wheels, but I obviously wasn't able to get that small little locking key back in. I guess my question is, is my car safe to drive in the meantime while I try and find a replacement locking key? Might be a dumb question, but I am just a non mechanic trying to do mechanic things, you know?
I appreciate this forum and I hope everyone is having a good start to their week!

 

[Turdle]

Not really safe to drive. Wheel rotation, road forces and vibration will cause the nut to migrate.

 

[~X~]

Not really safe to drive. Wheel rotation, road forces and vibration will cause the nut to migrate.

Good advice.

I'm curious if the Dana 44 nut set (used for Warn hubs) will work with auto hubs? Tom's Bronco has them cheaper than anyone. They're local to me so I bought a couple sets for when I put my Warn hubs on.

Front End Spindle Nut Kit - BOTH SIDES - TOMS OFFROAD

New Front End Spindle Nut Kit for 66-77 Ford Broncos. This kit includes 4 spindle nuts (2 with nub and 2 without) as well as 2 spindle nut washers. This

tomsoffroad.com

 

[RangerX]

Good time to switch to manual hubs...

 

[RangerX]

Or, do you still have the locking key(s) and want to give it another try? There’s a great write up on here somewhere, I’ll find it if you want it.
I switched to manual hubs in 1996 (!) and haven’t had to mess with those keys since, but I vaguely recall what a pain that whole auto hub system is to work on.

 

[BrantonJ]

Or, do you still have the locking key(s) and want to give it another try? There’s a great write up on here somewhere, I’ll find it if you want it.
I switched to manual hubs in 1996 (!) and haven’t had to mess with those keys since, but I vaguely recall what a pain that whole auto hub system is to work on.

I found the part made by Dorman (#13984) at Oreilly's and im planning on putting it on tomorrow. If you had the thread of switching from auto to manuals hubs I would appreciate that. It is something i want to do in the future! Thanks!

 

[Nadams01]

I found the part made by Dorman (#13984) at Oreilly's and im planning on putting it on tomorrow. If you had the thread of switching from auto to manuals hubs I would appreciate that. It is something i want to do in the future! Thanks!

Yes, it's on the front page pinned for stock 91 to 94 ex. I did the swap exactly as shown and it works great. I bought the cheaper mile marker hubs with no issues.