Front axle turning when hubs unlocked... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Daubs** · 08-30-2005, 08:39 PM

Brother drove my truck the other day and I had chance to follow him in my crew cab. Noticed that the front axle was turning as he drove. Made sure the hubs were unlocked and they were. It't not turning at wheel speed, a bit slower, but still turning.

I'm guessing I need to pull the hubs, clean and re-pack them. Suggestions on how to clean em out? Thanks, D.

qksilver · 08-30-2005, 08:42 PM

with a good solvent that has a high flash point. Parts washer is good, blow it dry carefully. I use heavy duty grease on the bearings and a light grease for the hubs themselves. In the winter that heavy grease can make it almost impossible to turn.
Plus did you check your trans fer case shifter. You didn't mention year or type
Steve

**Daubs** · 08-30-2005, 09:01 PM

72 k-20 with four speed manual and 205 transfer case backing a 350 v8

**JIMs70GMC** · 08-30-2005, 09:35 PM

mine does too, it's parasitic drag of the gear oil. I drove mine with the hump out and watched it turn could stop it with my hand. The yoke will turn with the driveshaft removed also.

qksilver · 08-30-2005, 10:19 PM

Yep

4x4Poet · 08-30-2005, 10:20 PM

I bet that parasitic drag is good for the front diff, too, since it would keep the oil spread over all the gears and bearings with no significant torque applied that would contribute to wear and tear. Probably keeps the greased spindle bearings in good shape around the stub axles, as well

**Stocker** · 08-30-2005, 11:14 PM

Yup - dunno about the new-fangled trucks, but I think all the old beasts do that.

*1FaastC10* · 08-30-2005, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIMs70GMC

I drove mine with the hump out and watched it turn could stop it with my hand.

Darwin missed again?

**Daubs** · 08-31-2005, 07:58 AM

Parasitic drag, hmmmm. I'm okay with that. I seem to remember my 82 K10 didn't have the drag or turning front axle. I might mess around with this when I get some free time. Glad to know it's nothing I need to worry about right now.

Now that we have moved to Omaha the 72's getting more road time. I can cruise around town doing under 45 mph all day in that truck. And with the glass packs it sounds great. Gotta love the old GM iron!

08-30-2005, 08:39 PM	#1
Daubs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Nebraska Posts: 613	Front axle turning when hubs unlocked... Brother drove my truck the other day and I had chance to follow him in my crew cab. Noticed that the front axle was turning as he drove. Made sure the hubs were unlocked and they were. It't not turning at wheel speed, a bit slower, but still turning. I'm guessing I need to pull the hubs, clean and re-pack them. Suggestions on how to clean em out? Thanks, D. __________________ '72 Chevy K-20 Crate 350, SM465, 4.10's

08-30-2005, 09:01 PM	#3
Daubs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Nebraska Posts: 613	72 k-20 with four speed manual and 205 transfer case backing a 350 v8 __________________ '72 Chevy K-20 Crate 350, SM465, 4.10's

08-30-2005, 09:35 PM	#4
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	mine does too, it's parasitic drag of the gear oil. I drove mine with the hump out and watched it turn could stop it with my hand. The yoke will turn with the driveshaft removed also. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

08-30-2005, 10:20 PM	#6
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	I bet that parasitic drag is good for the front diff, too, since it would keep the oil spread over all the gears and bearings with no significant torque applied that would contribute to wear and tear. Probably keeps the greased spindle bearings in good shape around the stub axles, as well __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

08-30-2005, 11:14 PM	#7
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,728	Yup - dunno about the new-fangled trucks, but I think all the old beasts do that. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

08-30-2005, 08:42 PM	#2
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	with a good solvent that has a high flash point. Parts washer is good, blow it dry carefully. I use heavy duty grease on the bearings and a light grease for the hubs themselves. In the winter that heavy grease can make it almost impossible to turn. Plus did you check your trans fer case shifter. You didn't mention year or type Steve

08-30-2005, 10:19 PM	#5
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Yep

08-31-2005, 07:58 AM	#9
Daubs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Nebraska Posts: 613	Parasitic drag, hmmmm. I'm okay with that. I seem to remember my 82 K10 didn't have the drag or turning front axle. I might mess around with this when I get some free time. Glad to know it's nothing I need to worry about right now. Now that we have moved to Omaha the 72's getting more road time. I can cruise around town doing under 45 mph all day in that truck. And with the glass packs it sounds great. Gotta love the old GM iron! __________________ '72 Chevy K-20 Crate 350, SM465, 4.10's



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