First of all Merry Christmas. Now, my lockout hubs are not engaging so I went to rebuild, clean, lube, them this weekend. I have an 86 CJ7 (stock 5 bolt hubs on stock Dana 30 axle). Everything looks fine inside, just the typical surface rust, dirt and grime. Cleaned it all up and put it back together. Doesnt work. I thought I understood how they work, but apparently not. When the dial turns, it unscrews a plastic threaded cylinder, as the piece unscrews it is supposed to push the hub gear over axle gear that turns with the axle, that turns with the hub body and the wheel. Seems simple, but there is a spring between the axle gear and the hub gear that is stronger than the spring between the hub body and plastic screw thingy. It appears that the plastic screw and weak spring are supposed to over come the stronger spring?!?!?! So how is supposed work???

Text Diagram:
axle gear | strong spring |hub gear | plastic threaded cylinder | weak spring | Hub body | Dial

I do have all the retaining rings and other parts in place.

Is this how its supposed to work?!??! What am I missing?

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I don't have my manual handy and I'm trying to picture the hub assembly from memory. Not having much luck I'm afraid! It seems to me there's something wrong with your description but I can't put my finger on it. It seems strange that both hubs would suddenly stop working, and it is not typical IMO to find dirt and rust in the hub. Sounds like either they are not assembled correctly or they are sticking (assuming they are not broken). Hard to tell from here! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I noticed after taking mine apart once that the splines had mushroomed in spots making them hard to engage. I filed them a bit and they worked better.
Just an idea...
Josh

Im not so sure that they suddenly stopped working, I bought this jeep this past March and have been fixing stuff ever since. It had been sitting for about 5 yrs and some guy got it running and sold it to me. As far as the hub I rebuilt, there was no gasket on it and the bolts were not tight and did not have lock washers on them when I took it off, so thats how they got dirty. Ive got a manual that shows all the parts, and I assembled them accordingly (twice) and everything seems to make sense mechanically. I just dont know, there has got to be something Im missing or dont know. I think I will pull the other hub off and make a quick inspection asap. Thanks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I went out and checked out the other hub tonight,and as I suspected the two springs are reversed. Now how did I screw this one up?????? Easy, RTFI, I Read The Freakin Instructions, AND THEY WERE WRONG. The Haynes Repair Manual for the CJ is WRONG. This is not the first time this book has screwed me up either. It sucks, do not buy it.

Thanks for everyones help, this ones closed. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Glad you got it! In case this is your first CJ, it IS typical for the stock hub bolts to come loose even when the lock washers are present. It's a good idea to keep a 9/16 wrench handy and check them before and after every Offroad ride. I put star lock washers on mine and have had very little trouble since but I still check them often. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />