Hub screw question.

I'm missing a couple of screws on my front hubs. I'd take out another screw to size but their are these little lock washer things holding the rest of them on and I didn't really want to mess with them. What size of screw do hubs take or does it differ from hub to hub? How do you keep these things tight btw? Seems that after 50 to 100 miles, I need to tighten them up again.

Also, I'll post some pictures of our trail ride at Randolf tonight. In short, it was a blast but also dissapointing somewhat (everyone seemed to break and us rookies were too afraid to go out by ourselves.)

Dondo

 

Sorry not sure what size but I use allen head bolts on my warn hubs and have never had a problem

 

Well, yeah, I guess they are not working if they are falling off. But these little things are strange. The lock washers look like little triangle things with the corners bent up. Most of them you can actually turn while the bolt that is holding them in is tight. It does make for a p-i-t-a to get the wheel drums off as the lock washes "stick-up" enough to be in the way. I didn't know if you could use loctite or not on things like these.

Dondo

 

If you're talking about the early Warn hubs, Herm the overdrive guy has the correct locking washers for them. They have a tab that you bend back onto the bolt head. Yes, they're a pain to remove but you shouldn't have to do it often. Some people use standard lock washers but they tend to dig into the hub body and begin to look ugly in time. Another way to go would be to use some aircraft bolts that allow you run twisted wire from bolt to bolt. They're almost failsafe but way too much of an overkill IMHO.

 

used 3/8" bolts that are 1" long. to prevent the lock washer digging in the alum hub, use a flat washer between the hub and the lock washer. Also use a liberal amount of neverseize to make it easier to take apart the next time.

 

Thanks for the help. I'm going to pull a bolt out this weekend and see if I can't get these tightened up.

Dondo

 

Dad changed to allen head bolts 30+ years ago w/ lock washers. Worked great and no issues w/ damage to the hub. Much easrier to remove. I would recomend this. Did this on my 6 too.

 

If you want a real high tech solution, go to Stage8. They have a kit for warn hubs that goes for $30.

 

The abutment type is a nice idea. Thanks for posting.

 

Put some Locktite and some Neversieze on em and let them fight it out.

 

I had nothing but grief with mine, (I happen to have a Scout 44 with the IHC Warn premiums now, but had the same issue with the stock 25 & Sears/Selectro's) & finally wired 'em up. It's a pain, but definately worth it because when those loosen up shearing all 6 comes next..........don't ask how I know this!

The expensive solution is to switch to internal hubs like the Warn upgrades, which are nothing more than smaller versions of the stock 44 stuff from the '80's. This way you eliminate the bolt-on flange entirely.

BTW, I'm fairly sure those are 3/8-16 X 1 1/2" or 1 1/4", not 1" long like the last post said.

 

Some good ideas above, but I have to take exception with some of the advice offered. The US Army Automotive Command, the Navy, SAE, NASA and several major automakers have all come to a similar consensus: The proper place for split lockwashers is in the trashcan. The idea behind a split washer is that it will expand while working loose, and cut into the base metal, preventing rotation. The problem is, that by the time the washer has expanded enough to “dig in”, the hardware is already loose, and the joint has failed. The latest method is to use only a flat washer, torque to spec, and use thread-locking adhesive on the threaded fastener. Bend-up tab washers are OK, and safety wire on critical fasteners is still the norm. Rather than Loctite 242, in high-vibration areas “Vibra-Tite” is preferred. It’s a softer thread locker that’s put on before the hardware is assembled.

 

Majave, what do you think about the Stage 8 fasteners that Grandpa Jeep talked about?

 

I had written a long reply, but erased it as it may have come across as something not in the spirit of the board. I will say this, run with what works for you.