Help!! I am trying to change Manual Locking Hubs

[blazing816]

Hey all today I started to change my manual locking hubs on my 4x4 (drive side not engaging). I got the driver side off easy as I have just replace the hub rotor assembly. However having a HECK of a time trying to get the tiny alen wrench screws out of the old superwinch locking hubs. It does not help previous owner painted them.

I was curious if there is a trick to get these screws out easy, I tried using some PB blaster, got to go back at it in the morning (gets dark here early these days) any help before tomorrow afternoon would be great!!! I am going to try heat tomorrow, but I also to not want to round out the screws, as one already is (which is a problem in its self).

[Sartobuilt]

Sometimes you can tap in a Torx bit.

[ncguy89]

be careful with heating the little bolts. i broke 2 off a long time ago trying that. load them up with pb blaster and as mentioned above for the rounded out ones try using a slightly bigger torx bit and tapping it in the bolt head. i ended up breaking every bolts in the one i heated up. but the bolts screw into the inner insert for the hub clutch and they just slide through the outer hub. atleast thats how they are on the superwinch hubs as i have a set in my truck now. i dont personally like the super winch hubs i would rather spend a few more dollers and get warn.

[blazing816]

I wanted to get a set of the warn premium but because it is for my junker I did not want to spend the money. I have all new parts for it....so I guess I will just drill them out and be done with it, first probably try the torx bit.

Thanks for replys I just thought I would ask before drilling them out. But since I have the new covers bolts and inner hub and clutch....do not really care.

[blazing816]

'ncguy89' What do you like about the warn over the superwinch??

I have a set of warn with plastic clutch on my other truck and they too have tiny alen wrench screws that were near impossible to get out. Or were you talking about the warn premiums that are all metal??

[ncguy89]

yea i was speaking of the warn premium's. the superwinch has the composite insert on the outer hub and i had one to crack on me after letting it sit over night in 6 inches of snow. superwinch swore they were metal and that i had a superwinch knockoff hub and they were not replacing them so i will never buy superwinch again. i like the warns because they are all metal. i mean dont get me wrong the superwinch hubs are great budget hubs and i have seen them take some abuse but im one of them guys that once one brand breaks ill never buy it again. but again its all about personal preference and your budget.

[Cabcorner]

                              Yeah drill out the heads . If you are careful and go slow you can save the hubs . I use tape on the bit to gauge depth so that I only drill in so far . Once you drill out the heads and remove the hub the studs spin out easily with vise grips. Napa carries replacement allen screws for locking hubs .

[blazing816]

Yeah thanks that is what I ended up doing...but the hubs were busted and I had a new set so it really did not matter. But got them drilled out and the new ones install and now I am ready for tthat lovely white fluffy stuff   

[pholliday1]

Be wary as sometimes those little bolt will loosen on new applications . Its best to retorque them after several trips.

[blazing816]

Should I use lock tight??

[pholliday1]

You can use loc-tight however theres 2 sides to it,  one if your going to use it, use a very "light strenght" and two ultimately hubs are  servicable part its not something that you install and thats it. You really need to be able to get them apart....front wheel bearing maint. u joint replacement etc. either way u choose be pro active not reactive is the key.

[thirsty]

Should I use lock tight??

Nope.

[ncguy89]

using locktite will put you back in the position you were in to start with. you wont be able to get the little bolts out. just re-torque them after about 75 to 100 miles and/or after 3 or 4 times of locking in the hubs and they should be fine. be careful and follow torque specs as them little bolts will break off.