Lose Wheel Bearing ???

[06RangerXLT]

so i had an oil change done and asked my mechanic to check out the front end and see if everything good. he came back saying my right front wheel bearing needs replacing. so i took it to ford (i have extended warranty) and they said...

"two wheel drive bearings are supposed to have some play. 4wd are solid. its the type of bearing. I could crank the bearing down so theres no play, but you will be replacing a wheel bearing every 6 months."

they both do have some play up and down, im wondering if i should just do them myself, as i can get parts at cost, or are they fine? the play is very minimal, but from the guy pulling on it i can see it move.

 

[heptofite]

i've never heard of play in wheel bearings being a good thing before, my 2000 2wd ranger has zero play in the bearings, and it should have the same wishbone suspension yours does.

 

[dasfinc]

so i had an oil change done and asked my mechanic to check out the front end and see if everything good. he came back saying my right front wheel bearing needs replacing. so i took it to ford (i have extended warranty) and they said...

"two wheel drive bearings are supposed to have some play. 4wd are solid. its the type of bearing. I could crank the bearing down so theres no play, but you will be replacing a wheel bearing every 6 months."

they both do have some play up and down, im wondering if i should just do them myself, as i can get parts at cost, or are they fine? the play is very minimal, but from the guy pulling on it i can see it move.

How much play are we talking?

The purpose of bearings is to allow the wheel to travel freely in one direction, not left right/updown, just a rotation. If it has ANY 'give' it needs to be addressed.

On the flip-side, your mechanic may just have been making up stuff to try to get money out of you and didn't know that you had a warranty?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Sounds simply like they just need to be re adjusted. There should be 0 end play in the bearings.

 

[06RangerXLT]

ok, better question. how do i tighten them. i dont trust ford to not over tighten them.

 

[06RangerXLT]

How much play are we talking?

The purpose of bearings is to allow the wheel to travel freely in one direction, not left right/updown, just a rotation. If it has ANY 'give' it needs to be addressed.

On the flip-side, your mechanic may just have been making up stuff to try to get money out of you and didn't know that you had a warranty?

at the top and bottom of my wheel less then a half inch movement

 

[colby450xc]

If there is any noticeable play they either need the retaining nut tightened or the bearings replaced. You should not be able to see the wheel moving back and forth if the bearings are good and tight.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

From the ford workshop manual:

4x2 vehicles


-Clean the inner and outer wheel bearings, the brake disc and hub race with metal brake parts cleaner. Inspect for damage or wear.

-Lubricate the inner and outer wheel bearings, the brake disc and hub race with premium long-life grease.

-Install the inner wheel bearing into the brake disc hub.

-Install a new wheel hub grease seal.

-Position the brake disc and hub onto the spindle.

-Install the outer wheel bearing, outer wheel bearing retaining washer and the hub spindle nut.

-Tighten the spindle nut while rotating the brake disc and hub.
Tighten to 29 Nm (21 lb-ft).

-Loosen the spindle nut 175 degrees.

-Tighten the spindle nut while rotating the brake disc and hub.
Tighten to 2 Nm (18 lb-in).

-Install the hub spindle nut retainer, the cotter pin and the hub grease cap.

 

[06RangerXLT]

From the ford workshop manual:

4x2 vehicles


-Clean the inner and outer wheel bearings, the brake disc and hub race with metal brake parts cleaner. Inspect for damage or wear.

-Lubricate the inner and outer wheel bearings, the brake disc and hub race with premium long-life grease.

-Install the inner wheel bearing into the brake disc hub.

-Install a new wheel hub grease seal.

-Position the brake disc and hub onto the spindle.

-Install the outer wheel bearing, outer wheel bearing retaining washer and the hub spindle nut.

-Tighten the spindle nut while rotating the brake disc and hub.
Tighten to 29 Nm (21 lb-ft).

-Loosen the spindle nut 175 degrees.

-Tighten the spindle nut while rotating the brake disc and hub.
Tighten to 2 Nm (18 lb-in).

-Install the hub spindle nut retainer, the cotter pin and the hub grease cap.

Thanks.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

ok, better question. how do i tighten them. i dont trust ford to not over tighten them.

raise wheels off ground... safely

remove cotter pin/locking device from nut.

turn nut very little until the slop is gone.

put locking device back on.

done.



wheel bearings should have no play. that guy at the dealership is a mouthbreather. also you should NEVER "crank em down". they only need to be tightened enough to take the slack out and thats it.

if you have sealed non serviceable bearings then they need to be replaced

 

[06RangerXLT]

raise wheels off ground... safely

remove cotter pin/locking device from nut.

turn nut very little until the slop is gone.

put locking device back on.

done.



wheel bearings should have no play. that guy at the dealership is a mouthbreather. also you should NEVER "crank em down". they only need to be tightened enough to take the slack out and thats it.

if you have sealed non serviceable bearings then they need to be replaced

thanks for the heads up. im not sure if they ae servicable. ill check in the am.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

All 4x2 wheel bearings are serviceable....just your plain old cone and roller set up. Only the 4x4's have the hub/bearing assemblies that are non serviceable.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

All 4x2 wheel bearings are serviceable....just your plain old cone and roller set up. Only the 4x4's have the hub/bearing assemblies that are non serviceable.

you're kidding. not all are the same.

most are non serviceable held in with snap rings or 3-4 bolts. even on trucks

or are you talking rangers?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Rangers my friend....rangers...