'95 4x4 STX hub rebuild questions

[scottvor]

It feels like the front wheel bearing are shot on my new to me '95 4x4 (with automatic locking hubs). On bumpy surfaces I've been hearing a "klunk" coming from the front end. When I jacked the front up, I could grasp the wheel on the top and bottom and shake causing quite a bit of motion. The ball-joints look ok. Anything else I should check or replace when I'm in there? The truck has 115,000 miles but previous owner did not do any off-roading.

much thanks, Scott

 

[Hahnsb2]

It feels like the front wheel bearing are shot on my new to me '95 4x4 (with automatic locking hubs). On bumpy surfaces I've been hearing a "klunk" coming from the front end. When I jacked the front up, I could grasp the wheel on the top and bottom and shake causing quite a bit of motion. The ball-joints look ok. Anything else I should check or replace when I'm in there? The truck has 115,000 miles but previous owner did not do any off-roading.

much thanks, Scott

Tighten up the wheelbearings first, they're probably fine.

 

[Ranger44]

Take it apart. Inspect the bearings for damage. Repack them, and torque to spec. Try again. If it still has play, I'd suspect ball joints even if they look ok.

You are rocking it holding the 12 and 6 o'clock positions right?

If not, and more like 3 and 9 o'clock, I might suspect worn steering....

 

[dcampbell]

I just converted to manual lockouts from autos. My auto nut that holds the wheel bearing tight was so loose I could shake the whole assembly. now that I swaped for the nut conversion everythings great. this seems to be a problem area, If you look at the tech page you will see that its not uncommon to unscrew the auto hub nut by hand (just like mine).

 

[Ranger44]

That nut needs to be used to preload the bearings, then backed off just enough to get the key in.

Now, what could happen is, thse nuts have a bad tendacy to crack or even break. I'd check things out very closely.