djcherokee

Installing new Timken wheel hubs on my 97 XJ. They are loose inside the knuckle where they are supposed to be press fit. About 1/16 play all around. Not much, but enough to cause concern on such a critical part.

Double checked the part numbers on the boxes and hubs and they are correct (513084). Ran Timken hubs on previous Jeeps and they fit tight in the knuckle with no problems.

I installed new parts store (cheap) hubs a few months ago and they press fit inside the knuckle tight.

Anybody run into an issue like this?

caronaxtr

I rebuilt my front end a couple months ago, Timken bearings were really tight. can't say I've ever replaced any hub bearings that had play.... did you replace both drivers side & passengers side & were both unit bearings the same?

djcherokee

Yeah replaced both. Same hubs and even swapped sides. Same amount of play on both.

I'm thinking I got a bad batch of hubs.

caronaxtr

Could be, mine were very tight. bring them back to where you got them & see if you can swap them out. don't want any play in any parts of your drivetrain.

djcherokee

Already started the warranty process.

Im going to pull them off and check the diameter of the hub pilot surface with my caliper. From searching online, they should be 3.942".

salad

That's very strange, only thing that could interfere with that is scaly rust like the stupid splash guard.

alheim

Hi @djcherokee I know this is an old thread and you haven't been active in awhile, but I am wondering what the outcome was here. I am having a similar issue, and I am not sure if this is acceptable or not.

I test fit the Timken unit hubs (PN 513084) into the new Crown Automotive steering knuckles (52067576 & 52067577). I noticed that it wasn't a press fit - the hub easily slid into the knuckle, with a tiny amount of play, maybe 0.5mm max - a nice fit, but there definitely is a touch of movement - not press fit by any means.

I also test fit the Timken unit hubs in the removed factory Mopar knuckles. Here, the unit hubs also slipped into the knuckle with with minimal effort, no "pressing" required, however there was just about zero play.

I wonder if it is the Crown knuckles, or the Timken unit hubs. In general I avoid Crown parts; these knuckles are the only Crown bits used for my overhaul, but admittedly these cast knuckles do appear to be nicely made - the casting looks as good as the factory Mopar knuckle.

The Crown knuckles were ~$80/each, and I found Mopar knuckles for about $170/each (an extra $180+).

I may buy SKF unit hubs, and Mopar knuckles, so that I can properly evaluate and compare.

diskman

Wow..

alheim

I feel that it is better to keep relevant information in the same thread instead of cluttering the board with redundant topics - I found this thread via a Google search, and others may end up at the same page in the same way.

To bring a bit of closure to this topic, at the following link at Moses Ludel's 4WD Mechanix forums, there is a detailed comparison of the Crown vs Mopar knuckles, and SKF vs Timken unit hubs. They all appear to fit with the same tolerances, a tiny bit of movement. I have deemed this to be acceptable & proper, but would love to hear experiences from other members as well.

http://forums.4wdmechanix.com/topic/...-overhaul-diy/

Thanks!

moparado

Yeah, Yeah, its an old thread so what.
Old threads are forgotten but never seem to die. The consequence of the search function here.

alheim recently asked a relevant question with no replies, but i'll agree should of started a new thread instead.

For someone else's future reference using the search function with the same problem.
Just had Timken hubs installed on my 2k XJ with no issues on original stock knuckles.

'99s use a different part number hub because of the composite brake rotors.
Don't know about the knuckle p/n or any other years.
mic' the hub then contact Timken to see if its within spec.