So here are the pics of the damage the clips did. I'm in no position to throw hundreds or thousands at this. I really want to just reassemble, fill it with lube and go. I'll fix it right down the road or else just dump the thing.

Can I just bolt the cap back, torque it down and go or do I have to do the preload thing? I didn't disturb the little bolt in the center of the cap at all. It doesn't pass through to press on the bearing race at all. I'll have to also remove the other cap to get those clips out. They aren't grinding yet but I'm taking them out before they fail. If I can get away with just re-torquing the cap I'll put the passenger on and then repeat the steps on the driver's side.

 

put it back in place, torque it down to proper specs and go.

 

Thanks. Since no one was answering last night I went ahead and torqued it back down and then managed to get the clips out of the driver's side without taking that cap off.

Sad that breaking the clips so I could pull them was the most gratifying part of the job.

Now I just have to clean everything up and refill.

 

Mine was the same way at one point. When i found it there were metal particles all in the oil and the right side cap was just getting chewed into but not enough to warrant a replacement.

Glad you caught yours in time also.

 

Mine is definitely chewed enough to be weaker. But since I'm not doing oversized tires and heavy off-roading I think I'll be OK.

Just towing my little bass boat and the occaisonal class 1 trail.