Here is the story:

Front brakes grinding. I know I'm goingto find metal to metal. I open it up and....metal on metal.

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I did reading in my manual and postedon a site and found out that with the 4x4 hub and such that thisisn't just as simple as a 2wd set up. I find the trick to use asocket and extension to help ease off the rotor and hub assembly.

I got the axle nut off or rather, loosened(they were easy.I don't know if someone didn't tighten them back up after servicingbefore or what).

But I've got big issues now.

I loosened all the nuts and put thesocket and extension on the top one on the front side. I had the wifeturn the wheel and we did that and kept trying. I loosened it somemore. While pressure is on it I beat on the back side of it. I thinkmaybe it's ready. I have her back off the steering and turn off thetruck. I take out the 4 bolts on the back side as I think I'm aboutto pull the rotor and hub off....

I start to pull and notice, “Hey,that U-joint is coming with this!” So I stop and this is where Iam.

How up a creek am I? I still haven'tfixed the originial problem(get the rotor off and replace with a newone and a new caliper). What the world do I do about this axle shaft?I jacked up that side to try and keep the diff fluid in, but have Ijacked up seals? Am I now going to have to break into my transfercase?

I am a 4x4 neophyte. I've never workedon the actual 4x4 parts before. And of course I'm doing this workwhile broke so I'm trying not to spend anything I don't have to orwouldn't be prudent to go ahead and replace while I'm in there.

So, where am I guys? How do I proceed?

jamman

I don't see any problem with taking a garden hose or something with a low pressure and washing out the tubes.. The seal is designed to keep stuff out, so I can't see why water would be a problem.As for the axle shaft, I would see if emery cloth with a fine grit would take out the groove. Depending on how deep it is...If you want, I can get you in touch with the local junkyard here for the parts. I'm going to see them for some stuff this Saturday and will ask them about the parts. 2 dust shields and 2 shims. Get the price and can post up here. If you want to order them, I can give you there number and they will ship them to you.

If you have a source for those little dust sheilds for the inside of the bearing I would love to know that. As iI remeber the dealer sold them with the steering knuckle and not seperately. could be wrong on the knuckle, but it did not come seperately and it cst alot of $$$.

Any update on this? Did you get this all together and running again?BTW, guys, I checked with the junkyard and they only carry the dust shields and shims as a complete unit with the axles. They were not willing to part with them...So, I tried... Good luck in the search for them? Makes me appreciate spraying mine with undercoat spray!Maybe its worth buying them new at she stealership...

My sheild did not rust away, my buddy helping me just rippied it off and destroyed it thinking i got a new one with the bearing assembly. Never could fine just the dust shield, even at the dealer.

I don't see any problem with taking a garden hose or something with a low pressure and washing out the tubes.. The seal is designed to keep stuff out, so I can't see why water would be a problem. As for the axle shaft, I would see if emery cloth with a fine grit would take out the groove. Depending on how deep it is... If you want, I can get you in touch with the local junkyard here for the parts. I'm going to see them for some stuff this Saturday and will ask them about the parts. 2 dust shields and 2 shims. Get the price and can post up here. If you want to order them, I can give you there number and they will ship them to you.

The seals are actually designed to keep oil in, not keep much out. It doesn't take much pressure to push past a lip seal like an axle uses. If you are going to house out the tubes make sure you change your diff lube before you drive it to keep from stirring up the water that does get past the seals. Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2