Ruined Locking Hub, 1 Staying Locked

[Bigboytoys]

For after an ongoing issue of hubs not unlocking after using 4x4, 1 hub would not unlock today. After almost an hr of manual locking, unlocking, engaging and disengaging 4x4, unhooking vacuum lines, shutting off the truck and restarting, backing up and going forwards and turning.... I gave up and unhooked the trailer and drove it to my shop.

I unbolted the hub and the pilot/idler bearing had locked up permanently
locking the hub.

Under that snap ring, first pic, and inside the inner splined carrier, second pic, is a pilot/idler bearing the allows the axle to freely rotate from the rest of the hub, the actual 4x4 locking section is further to the outside.







I have to use the truck in the mean time and don't need the axles engaged so I used a few screw drivers to hold back the locking ears...




...and removed the inner workings of the hub and just reinstalled the outer cover and turning/locking knob to plug the hole.

The drivers side was pulled for an inspection and rotated very freely and was way cleaner grease than the passenger side one that failed. Maybe a occasional regrease may make them live longer...IDK....

Going to order up some new hubs tomorrow.