How To Disassemble An Auto Hub

divaslone · 11-06-2009, 08:16 AM

Hi,

Having problems with my hub not working. Took it off to take a peak inside and found the locking ring is broke. The tooth as small as it is, was sheared off.

Can't locate any snap-rings or anything that will allow me to fully disassemble.

Any ideas? Or, and another thing, auto parts guy told me to never put grease in the auto hub...just a little SAE 30. Never heard of this. Have you?

Thank you in advance.

ack · 11-06-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divaslone

Hi,

Having problems with my hub not working. Took it off to take a peak inside and found the locking ring is broke. The tooth as small as it is, was sheared off.

Can't locate any snap-rings or anything that will allow me to fully disassemble.

Any ideas? Or, and another thing, auto parts guy told me to never put grease in the auto hub...just a little SAE 30. Never heard of this. Have you?

Thank you in advance.

divaslone:

Here is a link to the section of the '96 Tracker FSM project at Ack's FAQ that deals with locking hubs:

Ack's FAQ: Your 4X4 Portal To All Things Suzuki/Geo

while slightly different from autos, the following pages dealing with manual hubs might also help:

AISIN Hubs - Identification and Rebuilding Guide. - - Off-Road.com

Ack's FAQ: Your 4X4 Portal To All Things Suzuki/Geo

Asin Hub Re-build

Yes, the auto parts guy (at least THIS one...) is correct.

Packing grease into a locking hub is not very productive. The grease actually gets in the way of moving parts and expands with nowhere to go if much heat is generated. You should coat every part in the locking hub with a light lubricant so that the parts move freely and do not rust.

Regular checking of locking hubs - especially if they are used in wet and/or dirty conditions - is recommended.

I hope that this helps!

divaslone · 11-07-2009, 08:21 AM

Thank you. Great info. At least I know what broke in the auto hub; it's called the Indexing Tab. Doesn't show how to disassemble. I think I'll be better off buying a complete used auto hub and replace it....until I can convince my other half to use manual hubs.

Thanks again for your help.

kick-fix · 11-07-2009, 11:34 PM

swap out of front hub bearings
brief and,free too, shows OEM methods.

ack · 11-08-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divaslone

Thank you. Great info. At least I know what broke in the auto hub; it's called the Indexing Tab. Doesn't show how to disassemble. I think I'll be better off buying a complete used auto hub and replace it....until I can convince my other half to use manual hubs.

Thanks again for your help.

If you have the inclination, you can find locking hubs (auto and manual) pretty cheap in auto salvage yards and Pick-n-Pulls. I have picked them up for as little as $5.00 each!

The entire unit comes off pretty easily on a Sidekick/Tracker/Vitara as the axle snap ring is behind the locking assembly. All you need is a wrench (box or Allen depending on the bolt types) to remove the six bolts at the base of the locking assembly.

kick-fix · 11-08-2009, 11:44 AM

costa rica may be short , wrecking yards with many kicks , laying about....?
best is Fleebay or new ones from Warn ,etc.

divaslone · 11-09-2009, 03:12 PM

yep...going to pick one up at a wrecking yard...but you can't pick and pull yourself. They pick every single thing and then shelf them. I found a used one for about $38...doesn't get any cheaper than that.

kick-fix · 11-09-2009, 05:25 PM

gets the manuals used (with all the bolts) hint:
then you can clean , and lube and use it forever.
the autolocks are pig in a poke , used, IMHO

but you are just using them off road?, and light duty right.?
so dont matter,
but if using them for serious work ,like snow , ice , or heavy up hill offroad that is another matter.
inconvience or dangerous.
big diffr there, and only can decide that.

$38 each?