Missing axle nut

[JustGibby]

My youngest son just bought his first ever vehicle a couple weeks ago. Heard a rattling noise in the front passenger wheel, took the little center cap off. A washer fell out and the axle nut was just totally missing. The threads where the axle nut should've been sitting were absolutely destroyed. We bought a new axle and nut. We're about to go try to put it on.
What I'm wondering though, is whether we should get a new hub first. Someone told me that the bearings are probably ruined because of that nut not being on there. (Also, my boy and his buddy had to drive it home when he first bought it, and they had no idea that nut was missing.)
If y'all could please give me some opinions about whether we should get a new hub before we put this axle on, I would seriously appreciate it. If we put it on and then have to take the axle nut back off again, we'll have to buy another new nut. Plus I really don't wanna have to get back in there again so soon.
*This question is not about a Tahoe. I'm just assuming that if the missing axle nut would damage the hub assembly in one vehicle, it'd probably do the same in any vehicle. I've tried asking in other forums (the "proper" forums for the vehicle) but I can't even get one answer. (Some forums seem to have a lot of unanswered questions though). This forum is so much more helpful.
Thanks

 

[Fless]

It might help to tell us what this vehicle is -- year, make, model, and mileage.

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

My youngest son just bought his first ever vehicle a couple weeks ago. Heard a rattling noise in the front passenger wheel, took the little center cap off. A washer fell out and the axle nut was just totally missing. The threads where the axle nut should've been sitting were absolutely destroyed. We bought a new axle and nut. We're about to go try to put it on.
What I'm wondering though, is whether we should get a new hub first. Someone told me that the bearings are probably ruined because of that nut not being on there. (Also, my boy and his buddy had to drive it home when he first bought it, and they had no idea that nut was missing.)
If y'all could please give me some opinions about whether we should get a new hub before we put this axle on, I would seriously appreciate it. If we put it on and then have to take the axle nut back off again, we'll have to buy another new nut. Plus I really don't wanna have to get back in there again so soon.
*This question is not about a Tahoe. I'm just assuming that if the missing axle nut would damage the hub assembly in one vehicle, it'd probably do the same in any vehicle. I've tried asking in other forums (the "proper" forums for the vehicle) but I can't even get one answer. (Some forums seem to have a lot of unanswered questions though). This forum is so much more helpful.
Thanks

What @Fless said, but if it's not a GM vehicle, we won't answer either.

 

[JustGibby]

Well guys, it's a 2005 Exploder. I didn't really wanna put that on here cause of the ol' Ford vs. Chevy thing. But from everything I've gathered, it's almost a guarantee that this hub is now trash. If it was mine, I would've done ordered a new hub. But my kid is anxious to get his first ever vehicle moving and doesn't wanna hear anything about having to order another part. So if it's not actually necessary, I won't worry about it (well, I'll try not to). I just can't kick this feeling that putting this axle on without a new hub is a bad idea.
Thanks a bunch for the replies. This has got to be the most helpful vehicle forum out of all of the forums. No joke.

 

[Doubeleive]

if the hub passes testing then send it.

 

[swathdiver]

My youngest son just bought his first ever vehicle a couple weeks ago. Heard a rattling noise in the front passenger wheel, took the little center cap off. A washer fell out and the axle nut was just totally missing. The threads where the axle nut should've been sitting were absolutely destroyed. We bought a new axle and nut. We're about to go try to put it on.
What I'm wondering though, is whether we should get a new hub first. Someone told me that the bearings are probably ruined because of that nut not being on there. (Also, my boy and his buddy had to drive it home when he first bought it, and they had no idea that nut was missing.)
If y'all could please give me some opinions about whether we should get a new hub before we put this axle on, I would seriously appreciate it. If we put it on and then have to take the axle nut back off again, we'll have to buy another new nut. Plus I really don't wanna have to get back in there again so soon.
*This question is not about a Tahoe. I'm just assuming that if the missing axle nut would damage the hub assembly in one vehicle, it'd probably do the same in any vehicle. I've tried asking in other forums (the "proper" forums for the vehicle) but I can't even get one answer. (Some forums seem to have a lot of unanswered questions though). This forum is so much more helpful.
Thanks

Are you talking about the spindle nut for the CV axle that passes through the hub?

 

[Marky Dissod]

... but my kid is anxious to get his first ever vehicle moving and doesn't wanna hear anything about having to order another part.

Hubs don't know of / care about / understand feewings,
but IF the hub is bad, he WILL hear about it from the hub,
and if he doesn't listen, it may do more desperate things to get his attention, possibly ruining his weekend.

So if it's not actually necessary, I won't worry about it (well, I'll try not to). I just can't kick this feeling that putting this axle on without a new hub is a bad idea.

if the hub passes testing then send it.

If NOT, then get a new one. Simple as that.
Feelings are utterly irrelevant. Have it properly tested.

 

[Fless]

Well guys, it's a 2005 Exploder. I didn't really wanna put that on here cause of the ol' Ford vs. Chevy thing. But from everything I've gathered, it's almost a guarantee that this hub is now trash. If it was mine, I would've done ordered a new hub. But my kid is anxious to get his first ever vehicle moving and doesn't wanna hear anything about having to order another part. So if it's not actually necessary, I won't worry about it (well, I'll try not to). I just can't kick this feeling that putting this axle on without a new hub is a bad idea.
Thanks a bunch for the replies. This has got to be the most helpful vehicle forum out of all of the forums. No joke.

2wd or 4wd/AWD?

 

[Doubeleive]

2wd or 4wd/AWD?

2wd wouldn't have a nut

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

Well guys, it's a 2005 Exploder. I didn't really wanna put that on here cause of the ol' Ford vs. Chevy thing.

Haha I was just kidding. I mostly wanted to make sure it wasn't a sedan. Idk how the heck to fix those things. Or even how they work.

But my kid is anxious to get his first ever vehicle moving and doesn't wanna hear anything about having to order another part.

Hahahaha reminds me of me!

Here is an applicable anecdote.

When I had just graduated high school (like 20 years ago). My dad surprised me with my first car. An old Japanese SUV whose name I won't mention here. It looked tough, complete with tire carrier and CB. It needed work, was NOT road worthy. Water pump, timing belt, etc, etc...last thing was brakes. We finished and bled the rears, but had to stop for some reason.

DON'T drive it he says. We gotta bleed the fronts.

My first car was 99% done and I'd have to wait until he got home from work to finish. We'd been working on it for about 2 weeks while I drove my grandma's Taurus. The one with ladybug steering wheel and seat covers.

To make matters worse, the girl I was hot on had a job about a quarter mile from where I sat. Told her I'd show her today.

I can make it.

I'll go slow, through the neighborhood. Only 100 yards on the main road.

Hopped in. Fired her up. Oh boy those brakes are squishy.

My girl is on break in 5 minutes. I can make it.

I did. Babied it like crazy.

Picked her up, wanted to show off my truck.

The babying was over. There was a washed out road by her job, drove on it in 4wd like it was a trail. Although it kind of was.

Did a loop in the subdivision, decided to drive on the curb because I could. Oops.

TWAAAANG GE TWANGGGG ANNGAGANGG

What WAS that?! Oh crap I gotta get back, can't break down here or I'm busted. Got out. Looks fine. Brakes still squishy...truck is tracking fine.
I can make it.
Dropped her off. Crawled back home.

Plus 0.6 miles on odometer...is he gonna figure it out??

Parked it, went inside, calmed down. Dad gets home.

Hey dad, can we bleed the fronts now? Sure, son. Done.

"Time for a test drive. Let's stick to the neighborhood because I don't have tabs or insurance," he says. Yikes I say.

I'm riding shotgun. Backs out of the driveway. Pulls forward, truck lurches ever so slightly.

"Huh, that's funny, it's in 4Hi..." He says.

I'm frozen. Idiot! I forgot that! I'm toast.
He shrugs and shift to 2Hi. I kept my mouth shut.

Truck was fine. We both drove it. High five. Thanks Dad.

Don't drive it until I get plates or insurance tomorrow, okay?

Yes sir!!


I figured out months later that the old style 4' CB antenna had hit a low hanging branch. I can still hear that noise. Insanely loud in the cab.

And the girl? She's got a ring that cost me a lot more than that truck ever did. I just asked her and she doesn't remember that situation at all. Strange considering it freaked her out at the time.

I told my dad a few months ago.
"You're grounded!" He says and chuckles.


TLDR: I'd replace that hub homie.

 

[JustGibby]

Wow, and I repeat, This IS the most helpful forum! Yes, it is the spindle nut for the cv axle. It's the auto 4WD. Can I test that hub with it on the vehicle, without the axle nut being on there? I've never had to fool with axles before. I really don't know much about them.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

If the other

Well guys, it's a 2005 Exploder. I didn't really wanna put that on here cause of the ol' Ford vs. Chevy thing. But from everything I've gathered, it's almost a guarantee that this hub is now trash. If it was mine, I would've done ordered a new hub. But my kid is anxious to get his first ever vehicle moving and doesn't wanna hear anything about having to order another part. So if it's not actually necessary, I won't worry about it (well, I'll try not to). I just can't kick this feeling that putting this axle on without a new hub is a bad idea.
Thanks a bunch for the replies. This has got to be the most helpful vehicle forum out of all of the forums. No joke.

This Forum IS the most helpful of all forums! Glad that you recognized and agree.

 

[PPV_2018]

I third the notion that this is the best car forum I’ve come across. I’ve said it several times myself, ‘cus it’s true. There is a great community here and the veteran members don’t take themselves too seriously like most forums. I’ve asked questions for other make vehicles on this forum and got far more useful and helpful replies than anywhere else, including the brand name forums for the other makes.

 

[swathdiver]

Wow, and I repeat, This IS the most helpful forum! Yes, it is the spindle nut for the cv axle. It's the auto 4WD. Can I test that hub with it on the vehicle, without the axle nut being on there? I've never had to fool with axles before. I really don't know much about them.

The hub could have gone bad on its own.

On our GM trucks, folks incorrectly torqueing the spindle nut have seen their hubs fail prematurely. For us the torque value is 177 foot pounds and the spindle nut is one time use only.

 

[justchecking]

I've tried asking in other forums (the "proper" forums for the vehicle) but I can't even get one answer. (Some forums seem to have a lot of unanswered questions though). This forum is so much more helpful.

I had a 2002 Explorer, it was one of the prototypes “NOT TO BE SOLD TO RETAIL CUSTOMER” but somehow after the development phase it was released, to me. Great car! The Explorer forum back then was very active. A year or two ago I dropped in to see what was happening and it was dead. All the familiar names had moved on to other vehicles as you would expect. THIS forum rocks! For Tahoe Yukons Suburbans.

 

[Geotrash]

I had a 2002 Explorer, it was one of the prototypes “NOT TO BE SOLD TO RETAIL CUSTOMER” but somehow after the development phase it was released, to me. Great car! The Explorer forum back then was very active. A year or two ago I dropped in to see what was happening and it was dead. All the familiar names had moved on to other vehicles as you would expect. THIS forum rocks! For Tahoe Yukons Suburbans.

These trucks are the closest thing to 'heirloom quality' on the road today. Peeps still be out there daily driving 25 year-old Suburbans with 500K on the clock.

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

Peeps still be out there daily driving 25 year-old Suburbans with 500K on the clock.

Guilty! Well almost, 29 years old and 265K.

@JustGibby Got an update? We like updates on this forum because WE CARE

 

[West 1]

The hub is either good or bad at this point. Look at the splines where the axle comes through, do they look good or bad? If good bolt the axle in. Next check for play with the tire bolted to the hub, grab the tire at 6 oclock and 12 oclock, push and pull, there should be no play. Most times this will show a worn out hub bearing. More rare you can get movement from worn out ball joints. If it drives quiet leave it. You can always replace the hub later if needed.

 

[JustGibby]

Quick update: we decided to go ahead and put the axle on and so far, so good! Thanks a bunch again y'all!