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To Hub Or Not To Hub?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by mickeykelley, Feb 26, 2017.

  1. Feb 26, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I didn't mean take them off, I meant find a set just like them for the CJ.
     
  2. Feb 26, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    Sorry Glen, I thought you might be inferring rob Peter to pay Paul, so to speak.
     
  3. Feb 27, 2017
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    this is what's on buddy's 55 cj5 . one owner before my buddy got it
    did the knuckle swap
    steering knuckle.jpg
     
  4. Feb 27, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    What do they say on them? Kelly?
     
  5. Feb 27, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    Oh no, I would never suggest that. ;):coffee::)
     
  6. Feb 27, 2017
    Twin2

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    CUTLAS cutlass hub1 - Copy.jpg
     
  7. Feb 27, 2017
    GeoffreyL

    GeoffreyL Well-Known Member

    moorestown, nj
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  8. Mar 4, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    From what I've read else where, these older Warn hubs came in a 3 ring (like my 55 wagon ones pic below) and in a 5 ring style. How do I know which I would need for a CJ. Next, if I find some, how do I know if they are good and/or rebuildable vs trash?
    image.jpg
     
    WorkInProgress likes this.
  9. Mar 4, 2017
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    Iv never seen a 5 ring. The lock-o -matics have a larger smooth hub but same outer half. I often get sets from the junk yard. clean them up and reassemble. They are almost always in good shape just need fresh grease and the dial freed up. 10 spline is what you want
     
  10. Mar 4, 2017
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    I believe the 5 ring ones are for axles with a thread on the end. Any later 25 or 27 front would work with the ones in your picture.
     
  11. Mar 4, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    Trying to find instruction manual or video on installing the Warn hubs, old or new. No luck but I'd like to understand what I'm getting into before I move forward. So if anyone can point me , I'd appreciate it. I'm surprised I couldn't find installation instructions somewhere on line.
     
  12. Mar 4, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    It is actually very easy to do, one of the easiest things to add to a Jeep. When you take the drive flange off you will see the end of the axle shaft and the splines and the drive flange has splines on it as well. The Warn hub simply replaces the drive flange with the difference being the ability to turn the dial to engage or disengage the internals of the hub and the axle shaft. Turning the dial to lock forces the internals in toward the axle shaft and engages it. Turning the dial to unlock draws the internals away from the axle shaft and it disengages and will free wheel.

    The actual installation instructions will vary depending on what hubs you get but in a nutshell it isn't even slightly difficult. If you had a Warn hub to look at you will see how it functions. Unless you are in a hurry just wait till you work on the wagon and then you could study the hub operation then.

    Another option would be (if you can find them) to get flanges that are just a cover, they don't have splines. You can put them on in place of the drive flanges if you want to for towing. I do believe they are pretty rare.
     
  13. Mar 5, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    Glen, so no pulling the brake drum, wheel, etc., just jack up and pull the existing bearing cap?
     
  14. Mar 5, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    There should also be a snap ring on the end of the axle shaft that comes off to slide the hub on or off. You don't really need the snap ring - experience shows that about half the Jeeps with hubs are missing them. To get the snap ring back on after you install the hubs, you can thread a bolt into the end of the axle shaft and pull to expose the groove. It's an odd size - 7/16"-20 (fine).

    Like Glenn says, it's really an easy job. No need to raise the Jeep. Take the flanges off and bolt on the hubs - inner part first, snap ring, then outer part. Easy.

    BTW the parts are a grease cap on the flange that covers the end of the axle shaft, and the flange. Has nothing to do with the bearings. Pull the cap off, remove the snap ring, remove the bolts to remove the flange, and put the hubs on.

    IIRC Warn hub installation was a great job for a line mechanic; paid 20 min IIRC. They could do it in half that time easily. Really easy.
     
  15. Mar 5, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    Glen and Tim, thanks for details. Now I just have to wait til I find so older 3 ring hubs.
     
  16. Mar 5, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    Thanks for mentioning the snap ring Tim, I started to note it but then just didn't. :oops:
     
  17. Mar 5, 2017
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
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    Remember years ago my dad removing the "freewheel" dust caps from his cj2a and installing the drive flanges in the snow at 6:30 in the morning to get to work. He soon after found a set of locking hubs. When I bought my jeep the first new part installed was a new top. The second was a new set of Warn premium hubs. They are both still on the jeep 40 years later.
     
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  18. Mar 5, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    If you look at my disc brake thread you'll see my style of locking hubs laid out on the bench. Scroll through the post and you will also see various stages of reassembly. You will also see the trick for the snap ring.
     
  19. Mar 5, 2017
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
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    I have a 3 and a 5 ring pair and I personally haven't noticed a difference on unlocking the hubs on either of my 4 cylinders
     
  20. Mar 5, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    Yeah, that's not the "preferred" time to install the drive flanges. :)
     
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