Front Hub/Knuckle question

[BioStroker]

I'm in the process of cleaning and lubing my front hubs and the auto locking mechanism. When I pulled the knuckle joint, I noticed that there are a couple of rubber seals/washers that are just "floating" in there and aren't in their crevices. Sorry I don't know the technical terms for them. Since they are not in place, I can wiggle the axle end up and down easily. I'm not sure if this is normal. Can I just shove these back in place? Do you think any damage was caused inside since these seals were not in place?

[Fireman40]

MIne are the same way. I dont think they will hurt anything. I know that when you change ball joints you have to take the axle out and those seals just seem to come with it.

[USMC6253]

They are dust covers for the axel tubes. every truck i have looked at they are dangling just like mine are aggravating!

[7.34ever]

those are definitely an under engineered part of these trucks cause mine were the same way before i had frontend work done. the bad thing about them being that way is that dirt gets in there and will eventually make the inner axle seals leak. that problem sucks if you have auto hubs cause then no vacuum can be pulled to shift into 4x4 mode. i found that out the hard way... not good!

[USMC6253]

My 4x4 still works with them hanging?

[BioStroker]

Thanks for the replies! I feel a little better that it's a "normal" condition, but I'll still try to stuff them back in tomorrow. I'll try to wet them with a little motor oil so it helps them slide back in. I think my hubs were locking too (I haven't needed them since winter, so I'm not positive), but I'm just doing a little preventative maintenance! Any more info on them is appreciated! I just like to learn as much about these trucks as I can.

[BryanH]

Just leave them.

did you take the hub out of the Bearing assembly and did you remove the assembly? If so make sure to grease the inner bearing riding on the shaft. It takes 15mins to take the whole thing off and worth the re greasing. CHeck the large bearing on the assembly for wiggle/wear. I have replaced a 3 so far on my trucks and they seem to go bad 3-6 months after heavy water or around 250K.
Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to catch me.
Anyway, Make sure you replace the yellow seal on the bearing assembly to prompt better vacuum if removed.

How is the bio working for you?

[BioStroker]

So you don't think I should stuff the dust seals back in? Should I stuff some grease in with them? This is exactly what I'm doing:

Needle bearling lube:
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page

Lubing the AutoLock Hub:
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page

following these directions to a "T". I'm also in the process of the full fuel bowl rebuild as I'm replacing my IPR and had it out anyway. I put some some Cryo Powerslot rotors and new Hawk pads last weekend-the truck has been up on the jack stands for a while!

I can't say enough good things about running WVO on the Vegistroke kit. 2 years now, and not a single problem from fuel, and that's with some performance mods. After you pay off the investment of the kit, it's awesome driving around on free fuel!

[7.34ever]

Originally Posted by USMC6253

My 4x4 still works with them hanging?

check out post from bryanh above if ya haven't already. explained pretty well there that's not the actual seal, just dust cover

[BArakus]

Biostroker-

the dust seal just hangs out. even if you put it back in, it will come loose again. once you get through guzzles service on the autolock hub and needle bearing, put the hub and locker back on and unhook the vacum line near the frame rail. clean the end off and suck on it. if you cant suck air through the vacum line, you've got a good seal. if you can suck air through there, you need to check the axle seal (on the knuckle - not the dust seal that is hanging out), the yellow o-ring on the hub, or your locker. you'll also know that you're not getting a good seal if you turn on the 4x4 when the blower motor is running and it will divert the air to the defrost. there are a whole bunch of write ups on addressing that problem.

i hope it goes well. it probably is going to start snowing out there soon.

by the way- are you cleaning your own oil? you should put yourself on our WVO map. we don't have anyone near the Tetons!