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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Rear Drivelines, Drive Axles and Gearing => Topic started by: MacRae on June 23, 2017, 09:04:09 AM

Title: Auto lockers
Post by: MacRae on June 23, 2017, 09:04:09 AM
Hey all,

I have a 76 Canadian military Chevy 5/4 with an early model dana44 auto locking - full time np203 t/c.  I heard a clicking sound the other day while rolling slow on the left side that seemed to quiet down when I applied the brakes.  I have attached the video.   My guy put it on the hoist - very little bearing type movement and all the 4wd components engaged as normal.  Phoned an old army tech buddy and he said the spindle bearings commonly failed.  Took the dust covers off to inspect the hubs and noticed the left side was pushed really far outward and almost flush to the inner groove the cap bites into.  Can push it in almost an inch - axle and all. Right side barely moves.  Is that normal?   Thanks all, can't find much info on how they lock etc

Edit - can't add videos so I've uploaded it to my instagram and provided link here - https://www.instagram.com/macrae_cray/ (https://www.instagram.com/macrae_cray/)


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Title: Re: Auto lockers
Post by: MacRae on June 23, 2017, 09:06:51 AM


Edit - can't add videos so I've uploaded it to my instagram and provided link here - https://www.instagram.com/macrae_cray/ (https://www.instagram.com/macrae_cray/)



First video on the page



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Title: Re: Auto lockers
Post by: MacRae on June 23, 2017, 09:26:20 AM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170623/72193ce3ed8462371b4a25913e4ce528.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170623/56a217949e4b775d03661986b96a8dda.jpg)

Mine is the front truck


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Title: Re: Auto lockers
Post by: LTZ C20 on June 24, 2017, 11:42:38 PM
Nice truck you have there. Looks great with all the military equipment.

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Title: Re: Auto lockers
Post by: jetman on July 02, 2017, 10:34:23 PM
I have the pages out of GM shop manual to Remove and Replace Auto Hubs. 
All located at: http://www.bacliffrv.com/Truck/ (http://www.bacliffrv.com/Truck/)
(my personal choice is to ditch them in favor of manuals)
Title: Re: Auto lockers
Post by: zieg85 on July 03, 2017, 09:14:19 AM
I am by no means an expert but your 76 should be a full time 4 wheel drive, hubs are engaged all the time with the 203 transfer case.  Manual hubs will do you no good without the kit in the transfer case.  Am I missing something?
Title: Re: Auto lockers
Post by: shaggy7780 on March 12, 2018, 11:51:27 PM
Zeig85. You brought up exactly what I was wondering. I have 76 GMC K25 autolockers and it is full-time 4x4. Since this was an old farm truck, I don't know the last time the bearings in everything has been gone through. Everyone tells me to go manual, but it may require doing something with gearing. I don't think I want that much hassle, and I like things original. My problem is finding the right parts (bearings, races, etc.). Looking up 76 k25 doesn't always give me the right stuff I might need and don't want to buy the wrong things. Any help getting pointed in the right direction would be helpful.
Title: Re: Auto lockers
Post by: Jason S on March 13, 2018, 08:04:23 AM
The bearings and races aren't too difficult to  find. 

If nothing else, you can pull the bearings, races and seals and use the part numbers that are on the originals.

You may just need to clean and repack the bearings.  Can be a little messy, but pretty easy to do.