From Kia Tech Info (for 2001 MY, but probably similar for all years)

6. Screw lock nut up against wheel hub assembly and using a lock nut wrench, tighten nut to set bearing preload.



----------------------------------------------

Bearing preload: 10 lb-in (1.3 NÀm)

I think I have been driving in 4wd for the last 3 months, I jacked up the truck and tried to spin the front tire, It didnt want to turn freely, I took off the 4wd hub and then spun the tire. it spun free,
What kind of damage could I have done to the transaxle? I know I heard a zzzzziiiiippppp and then I am getting all this noise. I took the wheel bearings out and they are good. Right now I am draining the transaxle to see if there is any metal in it.
How do I do about getting the axle out of the transaxle? Do I just pop it out?

We do not have a "transaxle". We have a transfer case on the back of the gearbox for selecting 4WD/4WD low), and a front differential. To reduce confusion please use the correct terms.

1. Have you had "4WD" selected on your transfer case? If not then you have not been in 4WD and the current issues will not be a result of this.

2. Do you have vacuum hubs (standard after about 1999), autolockers (standard before 1999(, or manual hubs (Warn or AVM after market)? If the hubs are engaged with 4WD not selected on the transfer case then you have done no damage as a result. The hubs being locked in will be free spinning the front diff, consuming a bit more fuel from the extra drag only (this is the reason they use lockable hubs).

If you have been in 4WD with BOTH hubs locked in on hard surfaces (normal roads) then there is the possibility that you may have damaged something.

Both of the axle bearing are toast. I have them removed now. One side still had grease in there and the other side only has rust. I should have my axle needle bearings tomorrow and then I can get them installed and it all put back together.
My sporty has the air locking hubs, but, on my hub it looks as if they are locked in( meaning the spline part is all the way out and actually grabs the axle. Is this normal? Looking at the hub there is room for the spline piece to move back, I dont know if it does or not.

When I get it all back together and get the vacuum lines hooked back up, is there a chance that the vacuum will release the hubs?
As soon as I can I am getting different hubs.

Do yourself the biggest favor possible and get rid of the vacuum hubs altogether. They are troublesome and do not work reliably, particularly in cold weather (when most needed) due to the vacuum seals leaking. Your seals are already leaking, that caused the rust from water being drawn into the wheelbearing area.

IIRC Warn manual hubs part number 60247 ~$200. The small inconvenience of getting out to lock/unlock hubs is a small price to pay for the knowledge that they ARE working.

I plan on it but I just cant afford it right now.
I have my eye on these.
http://www.amazon.com/WARN-60247-Standar...1&carId=001

Have you ever had a air lock hub apart? does the center part go in and out?

Yeah they are meant to move in and out, engaging the part that fits on the stub axle spline.

well mine are stuck in the engage position.

Kia said that I have been driving around in 4x4 for the last 4 months, ever since I got the rig. The vacuum lines were broken and I really didnt know what they did so I didnt fix them. Now I am replacing the lines. Kia also said that the only way to get the hubs to release was with the vacuum system. Hopefully everything works out so I can get it out of 4x4.
I got all the parts I need so I am going out to put it all back together.

Was your shift lever in 4wd or 2wd?