Nostalgia

More specifically, mine.
(This is going to be a mumbo-jumbo of mechanic crap, so good luck staying interested.)

So, about a month and a half ago, my truck decided to make this scraping noise. I didn't know where it came from, so I continued driving. It didn't stop. However, every time I came to a complete stop, the entire front end would give a horrendous CLUNK! and the grinding would stop. So, I got home and started tearing **** off. Having no clue what it was, I tore my flywheel housing off (to discover a whole cluster of mouse nests) I nearly took my four wheel drive shaft off, almost took my front dif apart, considered having my transfer case torn apart, etc. I could see teh dollar signs racking up, and decided to let it be.
So, I ended up taking the hub apart (the front wheel drive engagement thingy) on a teacher's recommendation. I did so, and he looked over my shoulder, and with his infinite teacher wisdom, says "Well, looks like you need a new hub."
"How much will that cost?" asks I.
"Eighty dollars."
So, after that day, I waited until I had the money to do it, then waited long enough to spend that money, so I no longer had it. It did not grind however, after that night I took it apart. It did not grind until about two weeks ago, when it snowed like hell and I had to use to to even get my truck moving. Then, it started all over again.
So, here I go. Every time I would start to drive, I would have to put the truck in 4 wheel,(which is a pain in the ***) and drive for a few feet, then reach back over and take it out of 4 wheel. (I have a separate gear shift for my 4 wheel drive which is clear across the cab, in case yall were wondering why I was leaning over.)
That in itself would keep the hub from grinding, due to the fact that it was half-engaged, but not quite totally, so yeah. Long story.
So, yesterday, I went into Fort Collins 4x4 and ordered new hubs. Excited, I got home today from my CPR certification class, and began working. I tore off the wheels, and the fun began.
Firstly, I didn't have the first f-ing clue what I was doing. I was not really sure how everything worked, but I was rearing to go and plowed in headfirst. I got the wheel off, and stared at the new hub, all beautiful in its shiny chrome-ness, and tried to figure out how to put it in. I put it in, but it did not seat all the way. Aha, I forgot to pull out the old snap ring that I'm still not sure what the **** it does! That should be easy, right?
An hour and a half later, I yanked that little piece of crap out of the hub housing and flung it on the ground as hard as I could. I got that hub in okay.
I started on the next hub, and had the same fight with THAT snap ring, and it took me around two hours and fifteen minutes to wiggle loose using a combination of screwdrivers, baling wire, needle nose and regular pliers, and an effort to hold my tongue in EXACTLY the correct manner. So, I put the hub in. Still doesnt fit. Dammit, I forgot to put that new little snap ring back in!
So, I pull the retainer spring out (30 minutes, and during which time I realized I had forgotten to put the spring in on the first side) and put that snap ring in. I got the hub back together for the second time, and realized I forgot to take the little washer off. ****! So, I take the hub apart AGAIN (45 minutes) and realize that the washer had plastered itself in the grease on the back of the hub when I forgot to put the snap ring back on, so I didn't really have to take the WHOLE EFFING THING apart. Then the retainer spring didnt fit, so I had to take it apart again, etc, until it finally went together.

Now, my old hubs were automatic locking, meaning I just had to pull on the lever to engage 4 wheel drive. You can't get aftermarket auto locking hubs without a 150 dollar conversion kit. So, I put manual locking hubs on. I wasn't entirely sure how they worked with my auto locking system. So, after running around my moving truck (with my neighbors laughing hysterically) I determined JUST how many options I have with these new hubs: I can lock the hubs and use the stick to engage the 4 wheel, I can leave the stick in 4 wheel and get out to lock the hubs, I can have neither engaged (all these are just my 2 wheel drive options.) So, I have 3 options for driving in 2 wheel drive. And one option for driving in 4 wheel drive.
That was my whole afternoon.

yay.