broken spindle disintegrated bearings

[zojoe]

I have 1996 Ford Ranger XLT. Today the spindle that goes to my driver side front tire just snapped off and the bearings completely disintegrated such that the vehicle became unmovable. My tire almost fell off. I have about 200k on the vehicle. This happened with no warning traveling at about 30 mph.

The day before I was hauling a heavy load of bricks. I wondered if that could have caused the problem but my mechanic said "no way - no relation." He also said that he very rarely see's this type of a problem. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it remotely possible that it was indeed the weight that I was hauling?

joe@elevatedphoto.com

 

[JimJa1943]

Seen it happen lots of times on trailers and there is only once cause...the nut holding the bearing is too tight (I'm assuming your truck is 2WD as 4WD bearings are sealed).

Did you have the front bearings repacked recently? Did someone during a routine service have access and tighten a "loose" nut? That person is responsible.

The nut should be snugged up while turning the wheel (snug, don't torque it), then backed off until the next slot in the nut aligns for the cotter key. There shouldn't be any play in the bearing, but you do not want the nut torqued down, just slightly backed off from snug.

Now...if the wheel has not been repacked in 200K, well then that's the issue. Bearings should be repacked about every 30-50K with high quality bearing grease. More often if you go wheeling frequently.

A hot bearing can freeze on the spindle (accompanied by squealing) or transfers its heat to the spindle and the spindle snaps. If you are lucky the bearing fails and you can save the spindle. Hopefully you'll know before that happens since your camber is "excessive."

In all probability it's lack of grease and the resultant heat transferred to the spindle over time. The load you were carrying wouldn't have any affect per se, but a heavy load on a failing bearing will accelerate an existing problem. Thank goodness you were not going fast on a curve.

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

Seen it happen lots of times on trailers and there is only once cause...the nut holding the bearing is too tight (I'm assuming your truck is 2WD as 4WD bearings are sealed).

The bearings on a 96 4x4 are not sealed. There are two roller bearings, one inboard and one outboard of the brake rotor. If the bearings were sealed, then it would be a unit bearing style like what the 98+ trucks are. And not having enough pre-load on the bearings can also cause a failure, as well as not having enough torque on the outside lock-ring to stop the bearing nuts from coming loose.

 

[zojoe]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your input. No I haven't had any work done on the vehicle in quite a while and no bearing work at all. And yes it is a 2WD. I was planning on driving from Florida to R.I. this summer (1400 miles) and now I am rethinking it.

 

[4x4junkie]

Like was said, those bearings need to be serviced every 30K miles or so (clean & repack with grease), so if that's never been done, then that's likely why it failed.