Axle rubs spindle

[MylesNT]

I've been getting an intermittent noise from the front end for the last few weeks. I think I've chase it down to the driver side axle rubbing the back of the spindle. I think that's a good way to describe it. Pics just to make sure.

This

You must be registered for see images attach

Is rubbing up against this

You must be registered for see images attach

I think anyway, it's the only thing that looks wrong. The spindle bearing seal was removed in the picture, but it was installed.

Anybody know a reason for this? Did I have too much or not enough torque on the axle nut? As I said, it doesn't happen constantly, but it will start up and do it for a bit and stop. Sometimes it's worse than others as far as noise and how many times you can feel it grab. It's not a constant rub when it does, more like a warped rotor, like there's a high spot hitting.

Any ideas?

 

[MylesNT]

I went ahead and put regreased everything and put it back together. I found a few things that might have been contributing to the rubbing. First was this.

You must be registered for see images attach

Evidently I ****** it up at some point in the past, that might've let things loosen up. Secondly, I noticed there are 2 grooves for the snap ring. Mine was in the slot that's farthest out. The cap for the hub has been trying to come out since I've been driving it. I put the snap ring in the inner groove this time and so far the cap hasn't tried to walk out yet, granted, we haven't hit highway speeds either. I don't know why there's two grooves, maybe one is for lock out hubs and the other for full time.

No noise on the test drive but it comes and goes so we will see.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Hope that fixed it and damage was minimal from the rubbing that did happen

 

[dvdswan]

Your supposed to have a few more parts there...

You must be registered for see images attach

and the nut you have shown is the inner nut, you take a file to the nipple to round it off again so it can do its job and lock into the washer with the holes around it.

here's a better exploded view...

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[K201979]

The nipple locks the torqe on the nut, with the aforementioned washer with holes. The washer has a tab that fits the keyway on the spindle. Then another nut. Easy to fugg up the nipple, especially if you have the wrong axle nut socket(dont ask how i kno). You can file it up but i got a new set of axle nuts and lock washer off fleebay for not too bad. Dont remember how much but i can look up the listing for reference if you need it

 

[MylesNT]

@DoubleDingo @dvdswan @K201979

I don't know how I missed your responses, I thought I kept a close eye on this thread, sorry about that.

You must be registered for see images attach

The spindle bearing is there and the seal was but I pulled it for the picture. The only seal thing I'm not sure about is the once circled in red. It wasn't there and I'm missing the thrust washer on the axle as well I think. The nipple on the lock washer is gone. There isn't anything to clean up with a file, just a faint bump left. I found a kit with with both washers and lock ring for, Spicer brand, for $16 on eBay, just got around to ordering it today.

I came back to update the thread that the noise has started again. I've been driving the truck almost exclusively when I'm off work, so there's been a few miles put on it. Since I didn't replace the spindle nuts yet, I'm hoping that is the cause. My thoughts are that they might be getting loose and letting things get out of whack.

Thanks for the replies guys and if you see anything else I might be missing let me know. It will be a few days, before I can work on the truck but I'll update after the new nuts get installed.

 

[highdesertrange]

I don't see any bearings in that race. are you sure they are there? that nut looks ugly, I would go through everything and bring it all back up to spec. highdesertranger

 

[highdesertrange]

oops double post. highdesertranger

 

[MylesNT]

I don't see any bearings in that race. are you sure they are there? that nut looks ugly, I would go through everything and bring it all back up to spec. highdesertranger

If you’re talking about the spindle bearing, it’s there. That’s the numbers stamped on it on the inner right side of the spindle. I’ve got new nuts on the way, the bearings and races only have maybe 500 miles on them. I did degrease everything while I was in there.

 

[K201979]

Id say your spindle nut is backing off. New nuts will fix it but be real careful of the little nipple. Take your time...patience grasshoppa

 

[MylesNT]

I sure hope that’s the cause.

 

[MylesNT]

Just to update.

I got the new spindle nuts and lock ring installed the other day. I loosened the outside lock but with my fingers. The spindle nut itself took very little effort to loosen from the spindle. I’m really hoping this is the issue.

Going to start putting some miles on it and will report back with how things work out.

 

[MylesNT]

So just to close this one out for anyone who happens upon it in the future, it seems it was the center u joint in the front driveshaft. It slung a bearing cap while going down the road, taking the cardan ball and what not with it. Or maybe the cardan joint went bad and took the u joint, either way, without the front driveshaft the sound is gone. In the off chance that wasn't it and the sound returns after the driveshaft gets installed and the front hubs get back under power, I'll report back.