Just bought, few questions

[kinura80]

Hey!

Just bought this 97 4x2 Ranger, and it seems to be having wheel bearing issues. The previous owner was admittedly not mechanically inclined, and it doesn't roll as smoothly down the hill as I'd expected it to. It also makes an odd sound while driving.

On this year (97), do these come apart easily? On the last truck, it was all one piece with the rotor, but the other post I read made it sound like it was all separate.
About how long would it take to accomplish this? Also, how difficult should it be to grab the needed parts from the junkyard if we were so inclined?

Thanks!

 

[93Ranger4x4]

Kind of the wrong spot to post this i think, but a mod will probably move it once seen in here.

If you need wheel bearings please dont put used back in there lol, Just head to advanced and get new ones. There are 2 bearings in there,1 bigger than the other if i remember correctly. Its not terribly hard to do wheel bearings. I look at it this way, if you can turn a wrench, you can do wheel bearings. To make it easy do it one side at a time. Take the tire and rim off the truck, Remove the brake caliper and make sure u have it secured up and outta the way (Zip ties will work fine) Then since its 2wd, instead of there being a 4wd hub on there should just be a cup type them. Just grab a flat head screwdriver and gently remove the cup to expose the parts. Now this part ucan either goto advance and buy the tool, or just use a flathead screwdriver and a hammer(screwdriver and hammer is all i use) and then you'll want to remove the parts carefully and place them the exact way you took them out. Assuming youve changed wheelbearings on other rangers before you should know the rest. If not post up saying i dont know and me or someone else will fill you in heh. Good Luck

93Ranger4x4

 

[kinura80]

I haven't done it on a ranger before. The last truck was the only one I've ever done it on, it was a 4x2 91 Dakota, and it was all one piece with the rotors...

I do apologize for this being the wrong section. I'm used to posting about the Saturn I used to have, and their forums weren't this organized.

Thanks!

 

[dangeranger88]

Describe the sound it makes? I once had a terrible squeal in my front driver side wheel, and when jacked up the wheel did not like to turn very much, and it turned out my brakes were dragging. When I put new shoes on it went away and rolled more smoothly...seems strange considering a new brake pad is thicker !

 

[My92Ranger]

First pull of BOTH front wheels. Check the brake pads inside and out, top and bottom. There shouldnt be a very big difference between the 4 pads (2/32 or so difference at most.)
If they are thin its time to replace them. While you are replacing them is an excellent time to check and repack the wheel bearings. The easiest way to do this is pull of the wheel and then the caliper and then the caliper bracket.
Then pull the dust cover off from the center of the hub (they make a tool for this but as said earlier you could use a screwdriver and lightly tap it with a hammer.. ive never used this method in a pinch) Dont buy the tool if you dont do it for a living.
Take the cotter pin out.
Take the spindle nut off.
Take off the washer and the outside bearing.
Put the spindle nut back on.
Pull the rotor off to where the rear bearing hits the spindle nut and knocks out the grease seal.
Now you will have everything apart.
Clean it all up and jam your fingers into the bearings and put them back in the rotor and turn them and see if you feel any rough spots. If you do then you should replace them while everything is apart. If not turn the rotors and repack the bearings and put it all back together.. be sure to clean and lube your calipers and brackets.

Any other questions feel free to ask.