Locking hub issue
 

I have an 86 pickup with manual locking hubs. I'm having an issue removing the front cover so I can remove the hub assembly to inspect and clean it out. I've removed the 10mm bolts holding it on, moved the lever to the free position and it wont budge whatsoever. Any tips or advice. I've only had this truck for a couple weeks and slowly going through it has been fun.

There is absolutely no way to get to the inside of the hub without first removing the hub dial first. If it's been on a while the gasket might just be tight. If water got in there through a bad seal or gasket it might be rusted up. All I can say is pull harder. A bit of heat might help but be careful. The dial and cover are aluminum. Some light taps with a small hammer to the backside of the cover might help.

That's what I'm having an issue removing. It is on there good and I dont want to beat on it with hammer. It looks like the previous owner used some gasket sealer on it. The threads of the cover bolts are caked with it

Use a block of wood to cushion the blow from the hammer. You not trying to beat it off. Your just trying to break it free. Work from different angles.

I ended up getting it off with a soft rubber mallet. The previous owner used so much grey gasket sealer it sealed into the hub itself. Spent all day cleaning just one side. Thanks for the help everyone

Never used anything but a paper gasket. My star gaskets were hosed so I traced them as best I could on to gasket paper and cut it out. It worked very well.

This thing was a nightmare. It's no wonder it didnt work. There was no gasket between the hub dial and the body, massive amounts of grey silicone inside the whole assembly, the other gasket was rock hard and practically fused to the hub assembly. Spent several hours cleaning this side. I'm terrified to break into the other side and see what it looks like. The Joy's of buying someone else's nightmare