Washer on the hub won't stay tight?

[Campbell James]

I recently replaced my wheel bearings but the outside washer on the drivers side hub won't stay tight. After a couple miles It becomes VERY loose. I looked in my manual and I don't believe I'm missing a piece but could I be wrong?

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Manual or automatic hubs?

 

[leftoverture]

Is this little locking key properly inserted:

 

[awood]

If you have the 4WD with automatic hubs, the little locking key described above can be a pain to remove. You have to finesse the wheel bearing nut back and forth ever so slightly until the key is loose enough that a magnet will pull it out.

 

[Campbell James]

They were auto hubs but the guy before me converted them to manual.
And I'll check the little locking key.

 

[Maniak]

With manual hubs you won't have what is pictured above (funky nut using a locking key).

You will have (or should have) a but nut with a pin sticking out of it. Then a washer with lots of little holes and then a thinner nut.

Its pretty common for the pin to be gone (broken or pushed into the nut). Even if you don't have that pin anymore you should be able to get the outer nut to stay. You just have to really get some torque on that outer nut.

I have gotten to the point that I don't use the socket/wrench to tighten the outer nut. I just use a big punch and the 3 lbs sledge.. Viola, its tight and stays...

 

[Campbell James]

So basically I just need to smack the **** out of the outside nut and get it TIGHT?

 

[Maniak]

That is how I do it.. Just make sure its not over tightening the inner nut when you tighten the outer nut. If the nuts have a bunch of play it will tighten the inner nut as you get the outer nut really tight. It takes some time to get the "feel" just right.

There are other tricks to keeping them tight. Some swear by the pin, others build up and then grind the "tab" on the holed washer so it can't move.

~Mark

 

[Campbell James]

So I did that and it still makes that humming/vibrating noise. But it goes away when I turn right for some reason. I'm assuming this would be my bearings?

 

[Campbell James]

Anyone?

 

[Maniak]

So I did that and it still makes that humming/vibrating noise. But it goes away when I turn right for some reason. I'm assuming this would be my bearings?

Sounds like it could be bearing. Doesn't sound "loose" to me, sounds like its bad now. If it is loose you will be able to wiggle the tire when you grab it at the 12 and 6 position along with 3 and 9 positions.

~Mark

 

[Campbell James]

Yeah that's why I'm kinda stumped. It won't wobble when I pull on it like it would do if it was the bearings but I don't know what else it could be. And I know my alignment is good.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Does it make the same noise with the hub on and off? Maybe your hub is trash, or the hub is engaged and the spindle bearing is trash.

 

[Campbell James]

I don't know. It doesn't happen until about 15+ and I haven't gone that fast with it in. But I'll try that today.

 

[Campbell James]

I locked the hub up and it sounded the same. And I'm 90% sure my spindle is still good because I checked it a couple months ago.