Warn Full Floating Conversion Hub Problem

After 20 years (long story), I finally got my '70 Cj5 frame off project ready to move under it's own power. I started getting a groaning noise while making some sharp turns. At first I thought it was the tires rubbing on something. Soon it started doing it when accelerating, and then didn't want to move at all while still making the groaning noise. I jacked the right rear wheel and it spun as if the hub wasn't engaged. The other side seemed fine. I have read that many people have experienced problems with the hubs that came with these kits. I used to hunt with a guy that had a late 70's CJ5 with a Model 20 converted. He had a hub failure while on a trip also. He wound up selling the Jeep and buying a newer one, so no help there.

The axle on the kit is 19 spline inner and 30 spline outer.

I was wondering if a front hub from a dana 44 front axle would work on these. I could not find a part number on the hub I pulled off.

Here is a drive flange kit that I am considering https://www.amazon.com/Yukon-Gear-YHC50006-Hardcore-Differential/dp/B0078U9UZQ?th=1 Its a bit pricey but I like the simplicity.

Here is the set of hubs that look interesting, still pricey tho. https://www.amazon.com/Yukon-Gear-YHC70005-Differential-30-Spline/dp/B00HSIWR0S/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JFNFYZHZPKGJ1HY0FG

Can anyone chime in with any helpful info?

 

Is it the Warn full float kit? With internal spline hubs? I have run that on a '67 for a long time, no issues. I would get it apart and see what happened. Also, are you sure the outer spline is 30? I thought they were 27. You might just have a stuck hub, or if it is broken, buy a pair and carry a spare. Would be cheaper than the Yukons.

 

The Yukon YHC50005 is a great hub for the Warn full floating axle. It defaults to fully engaged if it should fail on the trail, so you can still drive it out. If you are flat towing hubs are great. The drive flanges work well if you don't flat tow.

Mike

 

I also expect the outer splines to be 27 count. This were a very common spline count on many '70's/'80's Jeeps and Scouts. There are brand new OEM 27 spl drive flanges on eBay for $18 each as an option. Pull your locking hub off and see why its not working. They are not too complicated.
-Donny

 

This is a Warn kit. It was installed probably 15 years ago or so. Never driven.

The spline count on the outer axle is 30, I counted them. Inside is 19.

Hub is out and I took it apart, looks fine.

The person I hunted with had the exact same problem. One hub would not stay engaged. We even jammed something inside the hub to try to hold the locking ring in place, but it only worked temporarily. I'm not too impressed with Warn hubs. I had one fail on a Chevy pickup I owned some time ago also.

I did find an older post from 2010 that talks about putting a piece of 3/4" wide plumbers tape inside the engagement spring to keep them from self disengaging. The hubs I have on my jeep had a 5/8" x 1 3/4" what looked like exhaust tubing inside the spring. So apparently Warn tried to fix this issue.

 

Warn Full Floater Kit
here members talk about the warn kits having 30 spline outers

 

i've got warn hubs on muh JEEP, and they're tough as nails. mebbe it's different manufacturing years? (older are better?)

 

I have the Warn FF set up on mine. I've broken a Warn Premium Hub into millions of pieces and it still was lock in and working. It only fell apart upon removal. If you have the purchase receipt they will Warranty them with free replacement.

Warn uses a special Locking Hub for their FF set up. FYI

 

Tyler, your Warn hubs are 10 spline. Three rings around the housing?
-Donny

 

ya

 

Maybe time to just install one piece flanged axle shafts from Moser or Dutchman. The caveat being I wouldn't want to do that and still have 19 splines. The Moser 1541H versions should go through a stock spindle.

 

Alco, the Warn hubs on their full floater kit used ‘blocking rings’ in addition to the usual springs to keep the hubs engaged.
Here are the dimensions if you want to make your own, the edges are chamfered inward but it does not look like a critical angle.
Outside diameter 1.754”, height .688”, thickness .069.

 

I have the Warn FF kit on my Jeep and I just replaced the rear hubs with the Yukon Gear drive flanges, part #YHC50001. So far they are working great, but I only have about 60mor so mile on them.

 

Mine have the blocking rings in them. It seems after doing various searches on the subject, that SOME people are having, or have had issues with the hubs with the Warn conversion. I went ahead and ordered the Yukon hubs off Amazon. I was able to get the cost down to half with some rewards and a gift card I had. I will update when I get them.

 

The Yukon hubs were supposed to be here yesterday. I got an email that says there was a "problem" with my shipment and it is "undeliverable". I will be issued a refund in 3 to 5 business days.

F'ing Amazon...

In the meantime I made some new wider 1" blocking rings to keep the hubs locked. The blocking rings that were in the hub were 5/8" thick. The hubs are staying locked reqardless if the dial is in free or lock. I won't have a chance to test drive it for a couple days.

 

I had a similar problem from my supplier when I ordered the blank Yukon drive flanges; no one had them although they showed as being in inventory. They found some that have the ‘y’ engraved on them and I got those. RCV drive flanges were also unavailable at that time.

 

Were these the Yukon YHC 70005 hubs or the drive flanges thru Amazon?

 

In my experience undeliverable means that the package was damaged and part or all of the contents was lost. Lots of pieces in that package that could go astray.

 

I concur...
I ordered a drop trailer hitch one time and the clown that packed it used those plastic air pillows. There wasn't a pillow left with air still in it.

I took the Jeep for a spin around the neighborhood today. The hubs are staying locked with the wider blocking rings installed. They do not unlock tho, which kind of defeats the purpose of having locking hubs.

I think the groaning noise is from the Auburn limited slip. I put some friction modifier in and the noise improved. I will have to put some more in later.

I reordered the Yukon YHC 70005 hubs again. They are supposed to be here tomorrow.

I was considering the flanges, but they were actually more expensive, and unavailable.

 

Installed the Yukon hubs today. I have to say they are much more robustly constructed than the Warns. No stamped steel or aluminum parts in these.

I guess time will tell if they last. So far so good.