Front wheel bearing problems

[pat julian]

'93 Ranger twd, 2.3 5 speed..replaced pass side wheel bearings six months ago..roughly 25,000 miles..had to have NTB replace them again when I went in for a tire on May 27th...now just barely a month later they have failed..so badly...I can move the wheel back and forth an inch...Both front rotors do have some warpage...could that be the reason for the failure ?? The drivers side is fine..but two bearing failures within six months on the same wheel seems very unusual..Thanks..pj ps NTB is going to replace them at no charge under warranty...but don't want this to be a monthly ordeal....Thanks again

 

[Mark_88]

I did my own a few times and didn't have a problem so I'd suspect the installation was done improperly with the retainer nut being too tight or too loose. This allows either restricted movement or too much play and is actually easy to do. At least on the earlier models that I worked on.

Without putting blame on the shop though unless the exact same person did the job and made the same mistake twice (or two mistakes) it is possible the bearings used were inferior quality.

Only thing I'd suggest is do it yourself if you can. they are not hard and if you mark things as you go or document them by taking pictures (even with the current issue) of how things fit together it is much easier to backtrack.

There isn't much to them other than making sure the bearings are packed with grease and they are inserted into the races the correct way they shouldn't fail.

Maybe someone with more recent experience can clarify but I think installing the bearings can only be done one way due to the way the races and spindle fit together.

 

[pat julian]

Thanks for the reply my son did the first job..and he is certified on several lines of vehicles..has replaced many bearings, etc for me over the years..so I know they were done correctly, that set came from Orielly's...the set that just fails after 30 days came from Napa...if it were not for severe arthritis issues..I would do it myself...have done it in the past, but no longer can bend, or move very well...here's a warning for the kids out there...getting old is NOT for sissies !!!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

getting old is NOT for sissies !!!

so true.

 

[sheltonfilms]

Most people aren't familiar with the rotors with built in hubs. They are mostly familiar to bolt in or pressed in hubs and also tightening axles nuts down to ungodly torques.

This style rotor needs to have the bearings seated by apply something like 24 ft-lbs to the nut, backing it off and then tightening to like 10 inch lbs. Most bearing failures in this design is over tightening the nut. Also when a new bearing is put in the old race needs to be pressed/knocked out.

When I put new rotors on I always press out the included races and put in the ones that come with the bearings.

How do you know rotors are "warped"? Have they been measure with a dial indicator? Should be 0.005" or less:


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