87 Ranger - bearing failure too often....

[dave404]

I have to replace the wheel bearings and spindle bearings everytime i drive thru mud and water too often, also the axle joints too often.
Any way to keep water out / ive replaced all seals but still water gets in causing bearing failure.

whats best brand parts to use, as ive used whatever Advance Auto sales.

 

[metalmacguyver]

NAPA sells SKF brand I think. Its made in Germany and I would prefer it over what Advanced sells as that is likely from China.

 

[MAKG]

To keep water out, you would need to COMPLETELY seal it up and vent it above the water. As this is a rotating assembly, that's impossible. You might do better with a live axle, as there are fewer relatively-moving parts to seal up, and you might be able to vent through the knuckles.

Flash-cooling the rotors by itself is going to draw stuff past the seals. This is unavoidable. All you can do to prevent wheel bearing destruction is to repack them after deep water crossings. You may be able to find a more hydrophobic grease, but it has to be able to withstand high temperatures as well.

 

[Bob Ayers]

Just remember the saying "You have to pay to play!"

So, if you abuse it, you have to expect to replace things!!

 

[mhughes165]

I have to replace the wheel bearings and spindle bearings everytime i drive thru mud and water too often, also the axle joints too often.
Any way to keep water out / ive replaced all seals but still water gets in causing bearing failure.

whats best brand parts to use, as ive used whatever Advance Auto sales.

what size tires do u have, whats your rim offset, do u keep the wheel straight when goin through holes....theres alot of imformation that we need to help diagnose why u need to replace the bearings everytime....

also, are u properly packing the bearing every time(forcing grease in until there is no air in the bearing)

 

[jarfly]

this is driving strip mine roads, gets pretty muddy at times . im not talking about going thru big water holes or anything above the housing, maybe its worn axles and etc... not to specs. ive tried napa and advance brands, cant tell much difference in either.
axle joints dont last long , seems i read something the front end is a weakness on rangers.

 

[bobbywalter]

if its a stock 87 axle then thats half the problem.


the 35 holds up better, but you may still want to do mods to that.


a d30 from a jeep is good, but you have to carefully select a good one.(hi pinion/big joints)

there was a sale at mopar for new jk axles, but you will have to re pattern the rear, or front with drilling or spacers to keep your wheels.


or set up some good ol fullsize 44/60 axles...eb d44 ect.



the d35 is a bolt in, but with big tires is still a pia untill modded.