Manual hub is really difficult to lock or unlock

Pretty straight forward...the manual hub on the drivers side of my 97 4x4 ext cab is really tough to turn. Is this as simple as taking off the control handle and and cover, cleaning it out and putting new grease in there?

 

Yeah, pretty much thats it. Be sure to mark the body for proper re-assembly, first.

 

Any specific grease or stuff for cleaning it out? I'm planning on doing it this weekend when the temps get up to the 40s.

I use my 4wd a lot in the winter and need to be able to lock and unlock my hubs without swearing too much.

 

The FSM species MP grease, which I assume means multipurpose. I think most any solvent would be OK to clean it out first. The 6 bolts have a torque spec of 7 ft-lbs.

 

From my personal experience, the handle gets hard to turn if the O ring around it becomes old. It causes too much friction and wont allow you to spin it.
The mechanism itself shouldn't really make it difficult to turn the handle. Let me know if greasing helps though.

 

I'll try disassembling/cleaning/greasing/
Reassembling this weekend. If that doesn't work I'll order some new o-rings. Last time I messed with hubs was on my 85...it's been a while.

 

This vid is good.
He doesn't take the handle off though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W78RkF1mUOE

This guy does. Both are great. If you wet the o ring too much it will be even harder to turn until it dries out. Good luck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jd4KjXI5VU

 

Just watched that earlier today while making a list of maintanence to do to my truck once it warms up. Seems straight forward.

Once again always appreciate this forum, never lets me down.

 

Of course man. Building the knowledge base.
I actually had to take a hub apart due to a squeak. The first video I posted he only goes through the internals. U wanna also take this apart.

 

I bet some penetrating oil of your choice sprayed around the outside of the plastic would cure your problems

These Hubs need very little grease most people tend to put way to much grease on.

 

Do you mean without even disassembling it?

 

Yes give it a try

I try and turn my hubs once a month but sometimes forget

It has fixed them on my fleet when they sit without being turned .

 

It's all about how you treat your stuff.
I'd personally spend the extra time to go through the hubs that probably haven't been taken apart for years. Especially that brass steel interface that spins.

 

Taking the hub apart, cleaning, greasing, and reassembling doesn't seem that difficult so I think I'll do that this weekend.

 

One last question...Do i need to get any gaskets before I do simple maintenance? Referring to this: https://www.yotatech.com/f116/aisin-manual-hub-gasket-no-gasket-216625/

 

Went ahead and ordered the paper gaskets today so I won't be taking them apart until Monday, but I will feel better knowing I can reassemble them correctly. Hope nothing is broken in there and it's just dirty.

 

I have been using Silicone for years .

Most times the Aisin Hubs are beat I have thrown away quite a few over the years.

Replaced with New Warn Hubs

 

Took the hub off today (just the outer part) and disassembled it, cleaned it, regressed it (lightly), put a new paper gasket on, then put it back together. It turns 90% better...still gets "caught" right before it goes all the way back to the free position from lock.I assume this is just an old hub and would be completely fixed by a new one.

Fun little project, easy to do. I'm feeling confident to continue fixing all the little things wrong with my truck and keep it running for a long long time!

 

I mean the manual hubs are a very simple mechanism. They should last a long time. The only thing that could go bad is the bearing surface, the teeth that "lock" connect the shaft to the hub and the rubber ring.

@irpiha good job. I bet you didn't even have to take the wheel off! Keep running em as is. I wouldn't replace em.

 

Didn't have to take the wheel off, and surprised how easily the bolts came undone...made sure to torque them properly when putting it all back together.

I think people are starting to look at me funny now I have become "obssessed" with keeping this truck running as long as possible...but if I'm only changing fluids and fixing chipped paint it sure beats a down payment and a monthly car note.

Edit: just looked at your 4x4 swap/build and realized that I should probably replace the rubber gasket in the hub and that will make a big difference. Oddly enough when I called and ordered the gaskets from Toyota they couldn't find the rubber gasket.