How hot is too hot for hubs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JayDubBlazer · 08-25-2013, 05:51 PM

As a result of trying to locate a vibration I was feeling my hubs. They where fairly warmr-hot. My IR temperature gun is at work but I'm guessing they were around 140 degrees. How hot should they be?
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vectorit · 08-25-2013, 06:29 PM

Personally I'd be concerned.
I have the odd habit checking parts like this after a drive, mainly because my truck is a 40+ year old rig and things just happen. Recently I was doing this check after a drive, and found that one of the rear hubs on my Eaton was very hot. Later I took the axle out, and popped the drum off to find a bearing that was blue. I blamed it on myself for over tightening it, but if I didn't check it - it would have eventually failed causing more damage.

What kind of hubs do you have?
OE or aftermarket?
Have you had them serviced recently?
You could have something getting ready to seize up or come apart.

I'd take them apart and make sure everything looks good, and that there isn't any petrified grease in them.

JayDubBlazer · 08-25-2013, 07:23 PM

I have some warn after markets. 20990 I think. Is there exploded diagram of how they go in. I saw some info about the preloading procedure.
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**argonaut** · 08-26-2013, 11:31 AM

Fronts heat up a lot more than rears, typically, because they absorb a lot of heat from the brake rotor/drum.
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obijuan · 08-29-2013, 04:12 PM

If you can hold your hand on it for more than five seconds its ok. If its too hot to touch then its too hot. Grease them things!
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**special-K** · 08-30-2013, 08:50 AM

They will feel warm,but not hot. It's hard to describe from here,but the best thing to do is compare side to side. Not any help if both sides have the same issue,but generally not the case. It's good to service these hubs every year or so and very few do this. I'd say this is a good time to do that and inspect to know just what's up

08-25-2013, 05:51 PM	#1
JayDubBlazer go cyclones Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 1,883	How hot is too hot for hubs As a result of trying to locate a vibration I was feeling my hubs. They where fairly warmr-hot. My IR temperature gun is at work but I'm guessing they were around 140 degrees. How hot should they be? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Wes PROJECT OLE GREEN 1972 Blazer 4X4 350/700R4 2017 Silverado LT

08-25-2013, 06:29 PM	#2
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: How hot is too hot for hubs Personally I'd be concerned. I have the odd habit checking parts like this after a drive, mainly because my truck is a 40+ year old rig and things just happen. Recently I was doing this check after a drive, and found that one of the rear hubs on my Eaton was very hot. Later I took the axle out, and popped the drum off to find a bearing that was blue. I blamed it on myself for over tightening it, but if I didn't check it - it would have eventually failed causing more damage. What kind of hubs do you have? OE or aftermarket? Have you had them serviced recently? You could have something getting ready to seize up or come apart. I'd take them apart and make sure everything looks good, and that there isn't any petrified grease in them. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

08-25-2013, 07:23 PM	#3
JayDubBlazer go cyclones Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 1,883	Re: How hot is too hot for hubs I have some warn after markets. 20990 I think. Is there exploded diagram of how they go in. I saw some info about the preloading procedure. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Wes PROJECT OLE GREEN 1972 Blazer 4X4 350/700R4 2017 Silverado LT

08-26-2013, 11:31 AM	#4
argonaut Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,813	Re: How hot is too hot for hubs Fronts heat up a lot more than rears, typically, because they absorb a lot of heat from the brake rotor/drum. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Jason M. @argonaut62 1972 K5 Blazer CST, Turquoise 1966 K20 Short Fleet Pickup, Big Ugly 1964 C10 Short Fleet, Gertrude 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 1996 Ford Bronco XLT 1980 Jeep Wagoneer 2008 Honda CBR1000RR 2005 Honda RC51 1981 Honda CB750C No dis-assemble Johnny Five! No dis-assemble!

08-29-2013, 04:12 PM	#5
obijuan Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: cibolo tx Posts: 1,033	Re: How hot is too hot for hubs If you can hold your hand on it for more than five seconds its ok. If its too hot to touch then its too hot. Grease them things! Posted via Mobile Device

08-30-2013, 08:50 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: How hot is too hot for hubs They will feel warm,but not hot. It's hard to describe from here,but the best thing to do is compare side to side. Not any help if both sides have the same issue,but generally not the case. It's good to service these hubs every year or so and very few do this. I'd say this is a good time to do that and inspect to know just what's up __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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