Just talked with Warn, and the snap ring (retaining ring) and splined washer need to stay on the axle shaft.
Their instructions do not have "(retain)" printed next to the retaining ring in the Automatic Hub removal image in Step I, and it should.

Step III shows the retaining ring going back on, but the image is of a Toyota hub.

The snap ring and washer stop the axle shaft from pulling out of the hub as the suspension cycles.

shit. time to go dig through my junk box.

@#^%$!^$#&$#%!!!! not only are the directions they provide just plain shity, but they leave stuff out??? i don't think i even have those snap rings anymore. i wonder where i can get a new set and get them on there before GOX.

Why don't you have them ?

My auto hubs are in the back of the X in case anyone (myself included) needs a spare.

I guess i should be thankful I chose the Mile Markers. The instructions on those told you to reinstall them in the outer snap ring groove. I will be posting a how-to to my website shortly, as soon as I get the bugs worked out of my new webserver.

Originally posted by xoc
Why don't you have them ?

My auto hubs are in the back of the X in case anyone (myself included) needs a spare.

i am not sure i have them anymore. i know for a fact they are mangled a bit after not having snap ring pliers to pull them of correctly. i used comon screw drivers and a pair of normal pliers to get them off. <sigh>

i ended up being able to find my snap ring and tried putting them back on last night after repacking the bearings. i cannot get the warn hub back on with the snap ring in place. i couldn't get the hub to meet up with the axle housing. could it be that i was babying it and just needed to tighten everything down and it was the gaskets that were prohibiting it from meeting up with the housing? i distinctly remember the housing meeting up with the hub when i installed them.

Synchro!

The splined washer and snap ring go on the outer groove on the axle, after you put the hub on and tighten it. Washer first and then there should be just enough room to put the snap ring in.

Got that bit of info from Warn.

Originally posted by IggyB
Synchro!

The splined washer and snap ring go on the outer groove on the axle, after you put the hub on and tighten it. Washer first and then there should be just enough room to put the snap ring in.

Got that bit of info from Warn.

ok, now i am REALLY REALLY confused. why would you need the washers and the snap ring there? what purpose do they serve? the washers would be free spinning wouldn't they? there is a ton of room between the gears of the hub and that groove youa re talking about.

Originally posted by Synchro
ok, now i am REALLY REALLY confused. why would you need the washers and the snap ring there? what purpose do they serve? the washers would be free spinning wouldn't they? there is a ton of room between the gears of the hub and that groove youa re talking about.

The washer is splined, and stays locked to the axle shaft.
The snap ring stops the axle shaft from moving in and out of the hub.

Originally posted by xoc


The washer is splined, and stays locked to the axle shaft.
The snap ring stops the axle shaft from moving in and out of the hub.

my problem is i do not have a splined washer. is that from the original hub or from warn hub?

but when i put the manual hub back on it hit the snap ring and wouldn't go back on with the snap ring there.

Here's the diagram of the Nissan auto-hub, see what you can make of it.

http://home.us.net/~stimpy/xterra/misc/specs/hub.gif

Brent

thanks brent. i will have to go looking for that washer. i do not remember that piece at all when i took apart the auto hubs.

Originally posted by Synchro
thanks brent. i will have to go looking for that washer. i do not remember that piece at all when i took apart the auto hubs.

It will be stuck to the fixed cam assembly with some grease. It's easy to miss when you remove the stock hubs.

I just installed my hubs. I never would have done it correctly if it were not for this post. Who ever wrote the instructions for Warn should be shot! :eshooter:

Ian, Thanks for the info on the Warns. After talking with Warmonger and reading a few posts both here and on XOC, I'm leaning towards scrapping my Auto hubs for manual ones (especially since I want to install lockers somewhere down the road). I've just begun to look at different brands, but I wasn't aware (till reading this) that Warn's instructions were incomplete.

their directions can't be any worse than the ones for the Mile Marker hubs.

I too thank you for the heads up Ian. I put the snapring on but didn't put on the washer.

I'm going to do that right now. :bloated: