Ball joints, or Wheel bearings

[harriw]

Hi folks,

I may be posting this a tad early, but I'm looking for some info. Just noticed today that my front wheels have some wobble to them, like bad ball joints or wheel bearings. It's both up/down and side-to-side, both front wheels.

Truck is a '94 4x4 w/ 4.0 (Dana 35) that I just bought in January. The ball joints, tie-rod ends, etc. are all on the old side, though I have no way of knowing how old. Would not be surprised at all if they were the problem (annoyed, but not surprised). However... it's very hard to watch carefully while I'm wiggling the tire myself, but it LOOKS like the ball joints and TRE's are staying still while the wheel moves (I'll get my neighbor to help me look this weekend for a more definitive answer - I could easily be wrong about that). That would point to loose wheel bearings, right?

But, when I bought the truck from my bro-in-law's dealership, he had his tech put on new front brakes and rotors for me. So those bearings were just re-seated by a Ford service tech 8 months ago. I've heard about the D35 having issues with the bearings coming loose (http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11986 for example), but would it really show up in just 8 months??? I suppose the Ford guy probably torqued that outer nut to the recommended 150 ft-lbs rather than the 250 you guys recommend, but still, wouldn't that be pretty quick for it to back off? I don't off-road at all - this is strictly a daily driver with stock tires and no lift (also used for hauling mulch, firewood, drywall, etc. as needed). I've put about 5-6000 miles on the truck since then.

Thanks a lot guys!

-Bill

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

If the play is both up and down, and side to side it is most likely wheel bearings.

Get a hand and double check it for sure tho.

They might simply need to be re adjusted.

 

[harriw]

I'd heard they were "adjustable." Is the "adjustment" procedure just the "1. tighten, 2. back off 3. tighten to a couple in-lbs, 4. put on next nut and really torque down." routine (paraphased of course)? Or is there a special adjustment procedure?

Also, I assume what I'm looking for regarding the ball joints whether the knuckle moves with the tire in relation to the axle arm, right? Meaning I should see some flex in the ball joints? If it IS the wheel bearing, I should see the axle arm, ball joints, TRE's , and knuckle all remain stationary while the wheel moves, right?

Thanks!

-Bill

 

[4x4junkie]

Yes, a loose bearing would mean the wheel is moving relative to the knuckle/spindle assy.


As for the bearings coming loose, it's happened to some people inside of one week.

Tighten the inner nut to 35 ft-lbs while spinning the rotor back & forth, back it off a half-turn, then retighten it to 15 inch-lbs (just snug by hand using the socket). Then install the lock-ring and finally torque the outer nut to at least 225ft-lbs. Should stay tight then.