Changed hub bearings and still hear bearing noise

[Grease & gravel]

So my ranger was making the typical bad wheel-bearing noise at around 50mph....when I turned to the right the noise went away implicating the passenger side wheel bearing.

So I replaced both of the hub bearings on the pass side and noticed that the front axle shaft u-joint right behind the spindle was really bad and was going to change it but couldn't get the spindle off so I said screw it.

Took it for a drive and the noise is still there. Could a worn u-joint possible replicate a wheel bearing noise? I am used to them making a clicking/popping noise while turning when they're bad, but not a whurring sound.


1993 ranger 4x4 manual locking hubs.

 

[CajunPwnStar]

I have heard of them making squeaking or squealing noises because they do contain needle bearings in the caps. Not sure if they are greaseable on your application, but you can usually grease them to get the sound to go away. I commonly see this on heavy-duty trucks when they're loaded and the driveshaft operating angle changes. Shoot some grease until all the old grease purges and 9/10 they're fine.

 

[kunar]

with the hubs unlocked and the tcase in 2wd, that ujoint isnt moving. maybe you just picked the wrong side when you did bearings?

 

[Kirby N.]

If you turn right and it goes away, that would indicate it is the right wheel bearing. When you turn you load the outer bearing and unload the inner bearing.


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[Grease & gravel]

I replaced the right side (pass side) inner and outer. Before replacing I jacked up the front end and wiggled both wheels, only the passenger side wheel had play in it.....maybe the rotor/hub is bad? I re-used it and it's probably the original one (23 years old)

I tightened the inner lock nut to 35ft/lbs, back off 1/4 inch, then torqued outer lock nut to 150ft/lbs.

 

[Kirby N.]

Did you replace the cups/ races in your rotors?


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[Grease & gravel]

Yep, pounded the old ones out, drove the new ones in.

 

[Kirby N.]

Any wobble when you jack it up and wiggle after you are done?


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[Grease & gravel]

No play after I was done, but I just jacked it up last night and there was a little play, re-torqued both lock nuts, took it for a drive, and still makes the bearing noise.

 

[Kirby N.]

Some procedures have you over torque the inner nit first to seat the bearings. If your bearings or races aren't completely seated- have some grit under them something, when you put weight on them they may have loosened up. You may try re torquing them.


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[Kirby N.]

You are ahead of me. The hubs actually spin around the stationary shaft when they are unlocked. You could swap sides with the hubs and see if the noise follows.


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[Grease & gravel]

Sounds about right, I'll go out and re-torque maybe to 50ft/lbs and back off a little and see where I stand

 

[Kirby N.]

Other then that, while you have the tires up spin them and see if the axle shaft is spinning. I have had a ujoint sound like a wheel bearing. It was old and the grease had dried out and got crunchy. It was on the rear driveshaft of my jeep. I changed the carrier bearings in the diff! No small job. Then I took the driveshaft out and realized it was the ujoints the whole time.


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[Grease & gravel]

the front axle u joint is so bad I can pinch it with my fingers and move it around in between the two yokes, the needle bearings are completely gone.

 

[Kirby N.]

It shouldn't be turning when your hubs are unlocked unless your hubs aren't unlocking. You could tell by jacking the truck up and spinning the tire with it unlocked and see if the shaft is spinning.


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