As my title says, I replaced my front hub assembly with a new spintech conversion kit. I also replaced the front ujoints and ball joints when I did the conversion. Since doing the conversion my front ujoints have been banging & klunking as bad as they were before the conversion. The joints were brand-new greaseable units from Napa. For some reason as I type this, I cannot remember the brand, but I know they were not NAPA or moog brand.

Has anyone else had a problem with the front end after doing the conversion. could I have possibly just got a bad set of ujoints? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

 

the yokes on the axle shafts might be out of round.

 

Do you hear the noise with the hubs unlocked?

 

What makes you so sure that it is the u-joints and not something in the hub?

 

It might just be the sway bar end links. They are known problems that make the front end go clunk. Check them for play by hitting the link to see if you can make the sound.

Make sure the shock mounts are tight and the sway bar mounting bolt, at the frame, is VERY tight.

 

The yokes on the axle shafts were still good (thankfully). The noise is only when the hubs are locked and the wheel is turned close to or all the way to right AND left. When I put it in 4x4 its even worse.

Much to my shock, the rest of the front end was actually really tight. I expected it to be smoked due to 90% of my driving being stop and go, 90 degree lefts and rights constantly city driving.

I contacted Spyntech prior to the install and was told that you use the same joints as if it were stock. Possible that I got a set of joints that was slightly off either in spec or part number?

I don't have any issue with the mechanic who did most of the work either. He's very experienced and has about 15 years of working on the dodge HD's under his belt.

I'm at a loss here. :-/

Mike

 

It sounds like there is too much axle play between the knuckle and C.

With the wheels pointed straight see how far side to side you can move the U joint/axle.

 

Erik,

I'll have to check that out since i'm quite perplexed about it all.

Secondly, what would cause that play kind of play and not show up as other symptoms?

 

Just a guess but I would check to see that the retaining snap ring is on the end of the stub axle (next to the locking hub). If it is not, it could allow it to float back and forth.

Do you have all the seals/slinger on the stub shaft? There should be two rubber seals and one metal slinger that presses onto the stub next to the ears. If that is not there that could cause some play also.

 

Had a set of Dyna trac on my truck and had the same noise or close to it turned out the needle bearings that the axle rides on inside the hub is the weak link and mine were worn within 20,000kms. I found that they dont fit very tight on the axle itself . Might take a little bar and try to wiggle the axle up and down see if this is what is happening .

 

Eric,

I think that you may have hit the problem with there being no clips on the stub shafts. The spintech kit that I got did not come with any clips and it states in the installation instructions that none are included as they are not necessary.(there were groves cut in the shaft for them though) When I talked to my buddy who helped me do the install he remembered that there are none and agreed that it is the likely cause of the noise. When I get the chance to pull the locks off I will figure out what size clips I need and try installing some to see if that quiets it down.

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

Mike