Bad wheel bearing?

[bbbc3]

Hey guys, my truck just recently developed a vibration while driving. The odd thing is that when the road bends to the right the vibration completely goes away. When the road curves left the vibration gets worse. Does this sound like bad wheel bearings? My truck is an '85 4wd.

 

[RonD]

Yes, could be wheel bearing or ball joint.

Failing Ball joint can also make a "clunk" noise on speed bumps or similar.

Either could also cause a slight pulling to right or left.

Jack up front wheels and check it out

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Wheel bearings can growl when the vehicle swerves at speed, it is a easy way to test which side is going bad.

On yours you might just disassemble/repack the bearings if they look good. Pretty easy to fix.

 

[bbbc3]

Thanks guys, I'll give this a shot!

 

[bbbc3]

Wheel bearings can growl when the vehicle swerves at speed, it is a easy way to test which side is going bad.

On yours you might just disassemble/repack the bearings if they look good. Pretty easy to fix.

2 things:
1.) I replaced the bearings and now it has a fine hum to it. Almost has if I can hear the bearings spinning. I packed them really good with grease. I believe I may have tightened the inner spindle nut too much. I'll back off the tention as soon as I get a chance and see if that helps.

2.) Should the axle have some play in it? It moves around about 1/4 inch in each direction. see pic..

View attachment 21426

 

[4x4junkie]

The locking hub supports the outer end of the axle shaft, so yes, it is normal for it to wiggle within the spindle with the hub removed.

It might already be too late if your bearings are humming. Once damage is done to them from overtightening, it's permanent. You'll need to replace the bearings (replacement of both the race & the cone).

FYI, the inner bearing nut gets 35 ft-lbs right after repacking the bearings, spin the rotor several revolutions back & forth, then loosen the nut back up and retighten it to 15 INCH-lbs (basically just snug it with the socket by hand), then tighten the outer locknut to 200-225 ft-lbs (or if you have auto hubs, insert the lock key to lock the inner bearing nut from turning).

 

[bbbc3]

The locking hub supports the outer end of the axle shaft, so yes, it is normal for it to wiggle within the spindle with the hub removed.

It might already be too late if your bearings are humming. Once damage is done to them from overtightening, it's permanent. You'll need to replace the bearings (replacement of both the race & the cone).

FYI, the inner bearing nut gets 35 ft-lbs right after repacking the bearings, spin the rotor several revolutions back & forth, then loosen the nut back up and retighten it to 15 INCH-lbs (basically just snug it with the socket by hand), then tighten the outer locknut to 200-225 ft-lbs (or if you have auto hubs, insert the lock key to lock the inner bearing nut from turning).

I hope I didn't damage them, I just rode around the block and parked it after hearing the hum. Also the bearing race was not required in the replacment. The inner rotor is the race, at least that was my impression. For the inner bearing nut i tightened it and snugged it with a socket wrench. I think this is the cause of my issue. I'll try to work on it tonight and report back to this thread. Thanks for the info and help!!

 

[BLOODBANE]

I hope I didn't damage them, I just rode around the block and parked it after hearing the hum. Also the bearing race was not required in the replacment. The inner rotor is the race, at least that was my impression. For the inner bearing nut i tightened it and snugged it with a socket wrench. I think this is the cause of my issue. I'll try to work on it tonight and report back to this thread. Thanks for the info and help!!

no there is a race in there. Its designed to be replaceable and not the whole rotor. Takes a long punch, but it will come out.

 

[bbbc3]

no there is a race in there. Its designed to be replaceable and not the whole rotor. Takes a long punch, but it will come out.

Oh snap.. this could be the problem! Is there a race on the outter bearing too?

In this video the guy does not mention a race or even show him putting a new one in? It starts at 6:05. I guess he was wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvAAAGVlU2A

 

[Hagan]

Oh snap.. this could be the problem! Is there a race on the outter bearing too?

In this video the guy does not mention a race or even show him putting a new one in? It starts at 6:05. I guess he was wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvAAAGVlU2A

Yes, both have races

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/pdf_documents/Dana_Ford_28.pdf

 

[bbbc3]

Ok so last night I completely removed the inner and outter bearing, repacked them, installed new races and put everything back to spec. I still have a slight hum. I'm starting to think I got a bad set of bearings? I got them from O'reillys.

 

[Hagan]

Ok so last night I completely removed the inner and outter bearing, repacked them, installed new races and put everything back to spec. I still have a slight hum. I'm starting to think I got a bad set of bearings? I got them from O'reillys.

Jack the wheels off the ground then spin the tires