Front Diff/Hub Help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jimmy Canuck · 01-19-2005, 04:51 AM

Yesterday as I was wheeling in 4 high through snow coming down from the ski hill, my left hub bound up, caused the left axle to stop and sheared off all the studs.......as I watched my tire pass me. Good thing I was going slow, and the snow helped reduce the impact so not too much damage.

Any suggestions on why my left hub would bind and not allow me to turn it from lock to free, and what would cause the front diff to bind enough to shear the studs on one side?
I'm new to the world of ancient 4x4's. Thanks in advance.

BobbyK · 01-19-2005, 12:22 PM

Well my guess is something broke,bent or jammed.
U-joint could have broke and jammed in the yoke.Maybe the axle got bent enough to sieze.
Hub bearings siezed?
Locking hubs broke seriously enough to jam the hub?
Check the u-joint 1st,That's easy...just look at it to see if it's broken.

Next you'll need to remove the locking hubs anyway to fix the wheel studs so you can see what,if anything,has happened to the locking hubs.

bouncytruck · 01-19-2005, 12:23 PM

First, welcome to the board. My wife and I were just up in BC (Vancouver) for the weekend. That is such a nice, clean city-even with the snow and slush!

Have you pulled the cover on the front diff? It could be any number of things that caused it to bind - no fluid, broken gear, bolt backing out.

Do you think the hub caused the diff to bind or vicea-versa?

Burt4x4 · 01-19-2005, 01:35 PM

Yup many things could have done it.
Sounds too me you front axel needs to be gone thru from hub to hub. Maby get a donor axel you can tear apart to see how it all works, then rebuild the one under your truck.
Good Luck

Jimmy Canuck · 01-19-2005, 02:44 PM

The u-joint is ok and I had changed the diff oil the day before, so now it is time for a teardown. Thanks for the welcome and suggestions.

moodyholler · 01-19-2005, 05:06 PM

Did it pack up with snow around the u-joint? moodyholler

01-19-2005, 04:51 AM	#1
Jimmy Canuck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 19	Front Diff/Hub Help Yesterday as I was wheeling in 4 high through snow coming down from the ski hill, my left hub bound up, caused the left axle to stop and sheared off all the studs.......as I watched my tire pass me. Good thing I was going slow, and the snow helped reduce the impact so not too much damage. Any suggestions on why my left hub would bind and not allow me to turn it from lock to free, and what would cause the front diff to bind enough to shear the studs on one side? I'm new to the world of ancient 4x4's. Thanks in advance.

01-19-2005, 12:22 PM	#2
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	Well my guess is something broke,bent or jammed. U-joint could have broke and jammed in the yoke.Maybe the axle got bent enough to sieze. Hub bearings siezed? Locking hubs broke seriously enough to jam the hub? Check the u-joint 1st,That's easy...just look at it to see if it's broken. Next you'll need to remove the locking hubs anyway to fix the wheel studs so you can see what,if anything,has happened to the locking hubs. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE Last edited by BobbyK; 01-19-2005 at 12:25 PM.

01-19-2005, 12:23 PM	#3
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	First, welcome to the board. My wife and I were just up in BC (Vancouver) for the weekend. That is such a nice, clean city-even with the snow and slush! Have you pulled the cover on the front diff? It could be any number of things that caused it to bind - no fluid, broken gear, bolt backing out. Do you think the hub caused the diff to bind or vicea-versa? __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

01-19-2005, 01:35 PM	#4
Burt4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,842	Yup many things could have done it. Sounds too me you front axel needs to be gone thru from hub to hub. Maby get a donor axel you can tear apart to see how it all works, then rebuild the one under your truck. Good Luck __________________ 1972 K5 MPFI454/Sm465/Np205/D60/14FFd/Re-Centerd H1s w/Swamper Iroks

01-19-2005, 05:06 PM	#6
moodyholler Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Roanoke,Virginia Posts: 179	Snow! Did it pack up with snow around the u-joint? moodyholler __________________ 1998 WRANGLER I-6 auto 1972 LWB FLEETSIDE 1968 GMC SWB STEPSIDE 1994 C-1500 SWB 4.3 5 SPD

01-19-2005, 02:44 PM	#5
Jimmy Canuck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 19	The u-joint is ok and I had changed the diff oil the day before, so now it is time for a teardown. Thanks for the welcome and suggestions.



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