NEED HELP Identify this Part, trying to Replacing Wheel Bearings

[bearandbee]

OK besides the mismatched bolts and missing snap rings, the Drivers Side disassembly was pretty straight forward. BUT when I removed Cap from Passenger side I found this weird part on the axle...anybody know what in the world it is and why its there? It is NOT pictured on Kenny's helpful post for the Wheel Bearing Replacement and its NOT listed in the Shop Manual.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/uploads/4908/Wheel_Bearing.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/uploads/4908/wheel_bearing3.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/uploads/4908/Wheel_Bearing2.jpg

[bearandbee]

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/uploads/4908/wheel_bearing3.jpg

[etlsport]

looks like it would be part of a manual hub.. but i dont have much experience with those so im not sure

[bearandbee]

It's stock because of the way the gears line up with gears on the cap. I just can't figure out what it does. When I spin the locking nut, the ARM behind the brake turns too.

[Greasemonkey]

Hi thats an auto locking hub - standard on UK Frontera A series/Trooper mk2 - but unheard of on shift on the fly - i think you have got a trooper front axle fitted by someone in the past - the VX has a vacumn operated shift on the fly axle -
Well actually the US version being constant 4wd might well not have the vacumn operated SOTF part - but you certainly shouldn't have that auto hub - they are really old - my '92 Frontera has those lol
i think you need to discard and go to a breakers and get the right parts - your drive shaft should go into a solid six bolt shaft end then the circlip goes on after the shim
cheers
Steve

[bearandbee]

thanks all! do you think its ok to drive as is? My front wheel drive is not currently in operation anyway...the more I fix on this car the more I find that is f&*$ed up

[tom4bren]

I still have the OEM parts removed to install my locking hubs. Lemme know if interested.