Loose rear hub?

[RogerRoger88]

I put my rear passenger tire on and noticed that there was some movement if I pressed up on the inside of the wheel. I removed the tire and brake caliper, and used the studs to do the same motion. The hub appears to be loose. The other side is not like this. Here is a short video to show what I'm talking about. Is this an issue? Do I need to replace this hub? How hard is it going to be to remove the bolts attaching the hub to the spindle?



https://youtube.com/shorts/mQVQxHXYiUQ?si=bydycB1WA9-jPzWO

Thanks!

[CDXXVII]

Some movement in and out is normal in a live axle rear end. The C-Clips allow for a little movement. You can usually see about the same amount of play on both sides.

If I come across the proper specs. I will post them later.


Ran across this. Ford spec for allowable axle end play is a maximum of 0.030"

That's approximately 1/32". If you are exceeding that the first thing I would try is replacing the C-Clips.

[RogerRoger88]

Just to clarify, this is the hub itself that has the movement. The axle is not moving.

[CDXXVII]

Just to clarify, this is the hub itself that has the movement. The axle is not moving.

Maybe I am not seeing the big picture. If this is a live axle in a standard mustang 8.8 rear end, I can't understand how the hub is the only thing moving. The hub and axle are typically one piece.

If this is an IRS rearend then you may not have tightened the nut securing the hub to the proper torque. I ran into that on my friends Mk3.

How about another picture a bit further back so I can see what you actually have.



https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/xlarge/sum-700127_xl.jpg

[RogerRoger88]

This is where there is movement with the hub. (This is a spare hub I have.) It is an IRS.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=219678&d=1759433292

[michael everson]

Most likely your large nut is not tight
Mike

[RogerRoger88]

The hub is basically 2 pieces - 1 piece attaches to the spindle and is stationary, and the other piece attaches to the wheel and spins. The piece that attaches to the wheel is rocking slightly. That is the movement I am having. It is not the entire hub assembly that is moving.

[gbranham]

As Mike Everson said...check your hub nut. Have you torqued it properly? It's a big number that requires a big torque wrench...225-250 ft-lbs.

Greg

[phileas_fogg]

As has been suggested, check the big 36mm nuts. Mine came loose after about 4k miles. https://www.ffcars.com/threads/check-your-irs-axle-nuts.291159/page-4#replies. Note that this is for the mid-80s T-Bird IRS, not the modern Mustang IRS.


John

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

I had what I believe is the same issue with both of my hubs. Once I tightened down the axle nut, late in the process, there was no longer any wiggle/play in the hub.

[Al_C]

So you have the T-Bird IRS, yes? If so, then what Mike, John, and Greg said is correct. This is, unfortunately, a known problem with the "old style" IRS. Check the axle - if you have a key slot in it, you can tighten the big nut and then deform it into the slot with a chisel for a "mechanical lock". Otherwise, just check it once or twice a year. I have had the same problem and tightening that nut with an impact hammer is part of the routine. The torque spec on that nut is 180 - 200 lb/ft. (page 95 of the Mark IV manual, 2014 revision). I know a couple of guys who have put a second nut on the axle to lock it in place - that works, too.

[rich grsc]

No that is not a T-Bird hub

[RogerRoger88]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I will go with this being a non-issue for now.