Spindle Nut WTF

Ok, not another Pinion Yoke thread.



Can anyone tell me what the round thing is that's blocking me from getting to the spindle nut, and whether or not its especially important or hard to replace? There's a slot that's hidden by the axle shaft, and I tried squirting PB on it and doing all kinds of screwdriver stuff in it to no avail. I'm about to come back with a dremel next week and dremel it off, but I'd like to make sure it isn't anything especially important.

At one point, I felt *something* give inside the screwdriver slot, and after that the screwdriver would go in as far as I could push it. So I'm guessing I broke something, but I don't really know what.

 

Sounds like you bent the tab on the washer out of the way, or broke it. Those are used for Loc-O-Matic hubs. Down inside at least three of those threaded holes on the outside face are tiny little allen head set screws. Can't recall the size off hand but they're small, less than 1/8". They have a point on the end that locks them in a slotted washer. The set screws are 5/64'".

 

The round ring screws onto the spindle. They were setup to have a roll pin driven through one of the holes and into a locking ring that indexes on the slot in the spindle. If you can see one of the roll pins you can drive it through and use a punch and a hammer to loosen and remove the outer ring. You might get lucky and not have a roll pin in it. Next step is to throw it away and buy a new spindle nut set that looks like the nut in the background.

 

X2 on being Lock-O- Matic hubs , drag ring . small allen screws

 

Ah.... ok. I'd figured they might've been part of the hub assembly. Shame the FSM doesn't include any instructions for working on them. I'd wondered if there might be screws in those holes, but they didn't look much like it. Very caked in mud and gunk. I need to get an Allen set anyway, so that's just one more reason to get one.


Whose idea was it to *not* include instructions for locking hubs in the FSM, anyway?

 

Locking hubs are not factory equipment prior to 1974-ish. Strictly an aftermarket accessory.

 

So if they were an accessory, and seemingly a popular one because every old Jeep I've seen has them, why didn't they make the appendix like the hydraulic system and bumper weights?

Edit: I'm not trying to question whether or not they were an accessory, or even popular. I'm wondering about Kaiser's logic in not including info on them.

 

Because there were so many variations of locking hubs available. Unrealistic for the factory to supply info on all the variations supplied by the aftermarket.
Many items were factory approved add ons, either directly from the factory or through a dealer hence the appendix.


Sent from my iPhone

 

Not if he wants to use the Loc-o-matics. Pieces for those are not easy to find and the hubs, at least IMO, work very well and are just as strong as the standard version.

 

I'm not going back to Loc-o-matics, that's for sure. One of them was completely frozen before they were partially removed. I remember the other was very stiff, and I never could be sure if I was turning it in the right direction. So maybe both were broken. If I go back to locking hubs, I'm probably going to get a Mile Marker kit since I've heard more bad reviews about Rugged Ridge than them and I've had trouble sourcing WARN hubs that'll fit.

 

Warn hubs should be readily available. If you need some and cant find used, contact R&P. they had vintage units that had been cleaned up and inspected for sale for Dana 25 and 27 for 10 spline axles. I've tried the Milemarker units, in fact was given a set for testing purposes. They were easier to turn than the Warn's and seemed strong enough but constantly leaked water in after every water crossing, or even large mud puddles. After the second set I went back to Warn hubs and never looked back.



Sent from my iPhone

 

:iagree: R&P has a wide selection. I was very surprised to say the least. I was given one warn hub (just one) after doing a reverse engineering job for them recently and man, the structure and build is just so neat. They have some pretty good engineering over there at Warn.

 

I'd junk the lock-o-matics. I had hubs like that on Scouts before, and they were always crapola. Go with the regular old warns. If the allen keys are stuck fast in the locking ring, take your chisel, put it right in one of the holes, and drive that lock ring counterclockwise with a few sharp taps. The locking washer behind it will split, and you can then deep six the whole shebang. I personally like the later 4 prong style spindle nuts, (eg. late Ford, Chevy dana 44 as they are a bit thicker, and they never seem to back off, plus no bending of tabs and such.

 

If you are a all interested in the lockomatics still:
http://missoula.craigslist.org/pts/3709261495.html

 

I'll keep the Lock-O-Matics . never had a problem with them . been on jeep 40+ years . with that said I would also use a Premium set of Warn Hubs . if I had to replace them

 

Ok, update. One of the rings still had a setscrew in it, came out fairly easy with a very small Allen wrench- 1/16 or so. The other might have two broken off inside its holes, or possibly someone drove pins in- either way, the Allen wrench only goes a short distance in, but doesn't engage into anything the way it should.

Trouble is, neither ring wants to come out. Dremel time, or is there something I've missed?

Edit: Turned out those wonky-as- heck rings were threaded on instead of slipped on, and it took me three months to stick a screwdriver into one of the holes and bang it to the left with the rubber mallet. Rest of the update will come in my build thread, probably tomorrow when I've got pictures.

 

lol glad you figured it out. they can be confusing if you dont really know what your looking at for sure! definatly dont trash the lock-o-matics. if you dont want to deal with them pass them on to someone who wants them. but i cant blame you for ditching them. old worn out dirty and poorly maintained warns dont work at all. You really need to pull them completly apart and clean everything up if you plan to use them