- Joined
- Sep 28, 2025
- Messages
- 43
- Points
- 101
- City
- SHELTON
- State - Country
- N/A
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 4WD
- Engine
- 3.0L
- Transmission
- Manual
A few months ago, I started to notice a noise coming from the front passenger area. This noise has been getting louder the longer I've ignored it, and I finally decided to take the tire off and have a look.
The first thing I noticed was that the vacuum operated hub came right off without tools. Also noticed that the vacuum hose was broken in two places. The brake assembly came off without too much trouble.
I then noticed that the wheel bearing assembly was seized to the axle. The plastic retaining ring was pretty mangled. Once I finally got the bearing assembly removed I found a needle bearing in the back that had let go if its needles.
I'm thinking that this is the source of the noise and the reason the bearing and axle were stuck together?
I decided to take the drivers side wheel apart too. The locking hub needed some help from a small screwdriver, but seemed to come off easier that it probably should have. The vacuum hose on the driver side was intact, but the fitting has rusted out. Again, the break assembly came out without much trouble. The bearing nuts though, broke 3 extensions before coming loose. Thread locker maybe.
The driver side wheel bearing assembly seems to be fine. I noticed a fair amount of black grease on this side vs. no grease at all on the passenger side. I've heard that the hubs shouldn't be greased, but maybe a bit of oil is ok. Not sure about the rest of the wheel.
I've put an order in for a set of wheel bearing assemblies, a set of manual locking hubs, and a set of plastic retaining rings. Not sure what to do about what remains of the vacuum system.
The first thing I noticed was that the vacuum operated hub came right off without tools. Also noticed that the vacuum hose was broken in two places. The brake assembly came off without too much trouble.
I then noticed that the wheel bearing assembly was seized to the axle. The plastic retaining ring was pretty mangled. Once I finally got the bearing assembly removed I found a needle bearing in the back that had let go if its needles.
I'm thinking that this is the source of the noise and the reason the bearing and axle were stuck together?
I decided to take the drivers side wheel apart too. The locking hub needed some help from a small screwdriver, but seemed to come off easier that it probably should have. The vacuum hose on the driver side was intact, but the fitting has rusted out. Again, the break assembly came out without much trouble. The bearing nuts though, broke 3 extensions before coming loose. Thread locker maybe.
The driver side wheel bearing assembly seems to be fine. I noticed a fair amount of black grease on this side vs. no grease at all on the passenger side. I've heard that the hubs shouldn't be greased, but maybe a bit of oil is ok. Not sure about the rest of the wheel.
I've put an order in for a set of wheel bearing assemblies, a set of manual locking hubs, and a set of plastic retaining rings. Not sure what to do about what remains of the vacuum system.
