While getting the Jeep inspected for my West Virginia Registration, we discovered that one of the
front hubs was worn. While I was there I had the technician use his impact wrench to
remove the hub nut for me as I was unable to remove it when I replaced the front axle u-joints. He put some anti-seize on the
spindle and reassembled it. That made it likely that I would be able to take it
apart when I replaced the hub myself at home.
A few days later I got the part in:
I had the 36mm axle nut socket, the 13mm
socket for the three bolts that hold the hub in place, and the standard sizes for removing
the wheel and the brake caliper. I took the wheel off and set it aside. Then I
removed the brake caliper. Then being careful not to damage the ABS sensor wire, I
removed the three bolts holding the hub in place. Then the spindle nut, after
removing the cotter pin and retaining cap and spring.
Everything came apart easily, proof that
anti-seize really works.
I was a little worried that the spindle
spline would be seized into the hub but was pleased to find that it came out easily.
Reassembly was the reverse of disassembly, just making sure to put the dust/backing
plate back in place in between the housing and the hub.
This was a quick fix to a problem that
has safety and tire wear implications. I was happy to get this job done so quickly
and easily!
