Thread: Fitting front hub flanges - help

I bought a set of the allmakes 4x4 front hubs from Rovacraft over the week and went to fit them to the front of the Defender over the w'end.

There are a couple of problems :

[1] the axles don't protrude out enough for the circlip to go back on. Even with the hubs off, I can't slide the axle out anymore without hearing the thud of the CV as it blocks further movement. I have an ARB locker at the front. So can I run them without the circlip, or are they likely to slide in too far? They don't slide in much either, about 1cm of slide all together.

[2] the holes for the 5 bolts seemed very tight. The inside face of the bolt was touching, and on the outer side there was a small crescent gap. It seems that the bolts go in, but the rub on the holes, which seem to have been drilled a half a millimeter too close to the centre. As a result the threads on the bolts have been damaged and I'll need to replace them. I'm not sure if I should just run a drill through the holes and widen them a smidge, or return the hubs. I fear that widening them even a very little bit will create potential for future slop.

Any advice on the above two questions would be appreciated. Am I safe to drive the car without the external circlip on the front axle?

Thanks in advance, Michael

I refitted the original flanges and will return the ones I bought for an exchange.

I'd been supplied part number TF5806 which apparently suits earlier (200TDI and earlier) Defenders; and replaces Land Rover p/n FRC5806.

What I needed was p/n TF859 which apparently supersedes p/n RUC 105200 and replaces FTC 859. This suits 300Tdi and TD5 Defenders and Discoveries, and is thinner.

I hope this benefits someone.

- Michael