Bad Wheel Hub?

[napalmsticks]

Sanity check. 2006 H3 with 94,000 miles. I have previously had issues with the ABS Failure message coming up on the DIC along with some screwy braking (Little pedal pressure slams on the brakes when the system is acting up). Went Camping this weekend and hit some trails with rocks, mud, etc. On the way home my right wheel began making noise. It sounded like a dragging brake at first which morphed into a crunching / popping noise while turning, now it only makes noise when I am braking or turning left (Right tire loaded). The ABS Failure message came on, went off for a few miles, then came back on again. To troubleshoot I took the front right wheel off and noted a few things:

-My half-shaft is spitting grease from the boot next to the hub.
-I am able to replicate the noise by turning the wheel hub with the brake caliper and brake disk removed (sounds like it is coming from the hub).
-Pulled the ABS Speed Sensor and it looks like it got chewed up by the ABS Ring Gear in the hub (picture below).

I figure either the hub and bearing are eating themselves and the wheel speed sensor is just in the way or the hub is flexing enough that the gear is able to make contact with the sensor. With the truck jacked up I am unable to get any movement out of the hub when grabbing the top and bottom of the tire. After cleaning off the sensor and putting everything back together the ABS Failure went out and hasn't come back on yet.

Ordered both hubs and both half-shafts. Thoughts?

 

[4speedfunk]

Yup. Your hubs are junk. Your new ones will come with sensors. Expect to use a can of PB-Blaster on them, as they like to fuse themselves to the knuckles. Try to save the dust shields but, it's not always possible.
Half shaft replacement at 100k is normal. You also might want to replace the seals where they plug into the diff as these are usually toast by 100k.

 

[napalmsticks]

Replaced the hubs last night. The ABS light went out instantly and the noise seems to be gone. Mine were pretty easy to remove with the help of a slide hammer. Waiting on the half-shafts to be delivered, replaced the seals previously but ordered two new ones with the hubs just in case.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Cool.

 

[Ghostbuster]

What hubs did you use?
Are Detroit Axle wheel hubs any good?

I found a new pair on Amazon for like $117 for the set!
Oem is like $198 each and Timken is $158 each.

 

[08H3]

From my experience, do not buy the generics. They don't last.

 

[rascole]

I agree with 08H3, I recently replace with AC Delco and new bolts.

 

[GreatDaneHummer]

I have done the cheap ones from Amazon and they failed both sides within 6 months. The AC Delco ones are running on my buddies for 3 years now just fine.

 

[woodwardsh3]

And dont forget to torque them with a torque wrench, Do not tighten them with a impact gun.