98 trooper with TOD, just replaced hubs with new superwinch hubs. ($56 on ebay <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />) First wheel installation went real smooth. When I took of the Hub on the second side I noticed a very thin shim between the snap ring and the hub <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />. I checked the first hub I had pulled off and sure enough there was a shim held by the grease still attaced to the hub. On the second hub I tried to fit the shim in behind the snap ring but with the shim on the snap ring would not go all the way into the slot. I didn't have any bolts that would fit in the shaft to pull it out and using hands would not budge it any further.
Should the shims be on there or are they to be used only if there is extra play in the shaft?

Take this with a grain of salt since I've only done this on a 93 Rodeo (read: 1st gen Isuzu). The axle should have some play - thus the reason that you need to jack up the wheel in order to get the splines out far enough to get that snap ring on. Thus the whole reason behind splined shafts, actually.

Shims in a hub? Never heard of it...

Don't sweat the one shim! Ive had many of these apart and the shim is just there to take out some of the slop and keep the axle splines from getting excessive wear from sliding in and out of the hub. One shim is not going to allow it to slide enough to cause a klunk or have it wear prematurely. Lock them hubs and go kick up some mud!

Great price on those hubs <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
I will probably have to pay full price <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />
I will keep my eyes open for the shims when I do mine though. Sorry I don't have any insight, but thanks for the heads up.