View Full Version : Help needed- Front Hub
Bill Elliott
07-16-2023, 05:33 PM
Was putting on the hubs , driver side easy. Passenger side got hung up at very beginning so I went to pull it off, by hand and the hub seperated. I am able to slide both back on and have that rear piece seat back into the hub. Never in my years of working on cars have I had this happen. Is this hub rendered useless do to my mishandling or is it defective. Should I purchase a new one? This really erks me to have something like this happen so early in the build.
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65 Cobra Dude
07-16-2023, 05:49 PM
You’re ok, no need to push the panic button. Put it back together and wiggle it on, use axle grease if required. They are tight but you really want tight tolerances there.
Henry
Bill - the same thing happened to me (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?45859-Terry-s-MK4-Build-Thread&p=531490&viewfull=1#post531490).
Yes frustrating.
Mastertech5
07-19-2023, 06:55 PM
I used emery cloth on the spindle, just enough so the hearing wouldn't bind. You want to be able to wiggle it on but not easily slide it on.
Emery cloth on the spindle is a good idea, also I took a file and lightly chamfered the leading edge of the spindle where the bearing first contacts. The chamfer is barely 1/32" at most, and the bearing barely touches that area once installed. You cannot even see that it is chamfered, but that sure prevents it from getting hung up. also, a light coat of WD40 helps. As for the bearing coming apart, that is just the back seal that needs to be tapped back in place. If it worries you, those front hubs are very inexpensive. The hub assembly I received in my kit is a Mevotech #H513115, which is listed on Rock Auto for only $22.89. Probably under $40 at your local NAPA.
Bill Elliott
07-19-2023, 09:27 PM
You’re ok, no need to push the panic button. Put it back together and wiggle it on, use axle grease if required. They are tight but you really want tight tolerances there.
Henry
I am going to go with what Henry said and just put it back together, I haven't heard anything saying I need to buy new ones.
Emery cloth on the spindle is a good idea, also I took a file and lightly chamfered the leading edge of the spindle where the bearing first contacts. The chamfer is barely 1/32" at most, and the bearing barely touches that area once installed. You cannot even see that it is chamfered, but that sure prevents it from getting hung up. also, a light coat of WD40 helps. As for the bearing coming apart, that is just the back seal that needs to be tapped back in place. If it worries you, those front hubs are very inexpensive. The hub assembly I received in my kit is a Mevotech #H513115, which is listed on Rock Auto for only $22.89. Probably under $40 at your local NAPA.
This is pretty much what I did, including buying new SKF hubs from NAPA for the reason stated above (i.e. not expensive). Maybe not 100% needed, but these parts aren't the most convenient to replace. The SKF appears to be a much higher quality unit, but the Mevotech is only a $20 part.
Bill Elliott
07-20-2023, 08:41 PM
Well now that I am second guessing this whole issue I think I will go get the ones from Napa
65 Cobra Dude
07-20-2023, 08:50 PM
Try it first Bill. I wouldn’t waste the money. Many have got this to work from FFR.
Just my $.02 from many, many cars.
Henry
Bill Elliott
07-20-2023, 08:52 PM
Well I was able to get it back on fine, as long as that is all that is needed and I won’t have problems later .
65 Cobra Dude
07-21-2023, 06:04 AM
Glad to hear it Bill. You should be good as long as you tighten down that axle nut.
Henry
Railroad
07-21-2023, 12:35 PM
anti-seize
Now get ready for a workout. Getting the hub/bearing onto the spindle was a breeze compared to tightening down the spindle nuts. Luckily, I had the correct socket, but that interference nut gives an overweight 64 year old guy a workout! Very happy when the nuts finally clicked at 250 ft. lb. I guess I could have hit them with the impact gun, but some parts I just like to tighten by hand.