More problems

[Brandon Nootenboom]

I replaced my front wheel bearings today, as they have been worn out for a few months (already tightened and re-packed about 4 months ago which didn't help) and discovered that the wheel bearings weren't the main reason for the slop in each wheel that I thought was caused by my worn out wheel bearings.

I pulled off the front wheels and gave it a shake using the lug studs and found that the entire drive shaft of the front axle was moving-both up and down and in/out. I went under the truck to get a different look and it looks like what I'm guessing are bearings where the shafts pass through the end of the axle were allowing the shaft to move around as well as the shaft sliding in and out of the differential about a quarter inch.

I guess my questions now are, 1) is there suppose to be side-to-side movement in the front axle drive shaft and 2) how do you go about changing those bearings? Because it's getting worse and fast

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Sounds more like balljoints shot. Nothing in the front axles will cause there to be play in the knuckle.

 

[F150hybred]

Unless he's talking about the axle shaft bearings.

Click this link--> http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/spindlebearing.html

 

[F150hybred]

oops... double post!

 

[Brandon Nootenboom]

Somehow I didn't even think of the ball joints... I will have to check those tomorrow. I'm gonna feel like an idiot if those are what my problem is haha but I hope that they are and nothing else

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

If you take the wheels and hubs off, you will be able to move the shafts around a bit. I've seen this on a number of vehicles. Because the weight of the vehicle doesn't ride on these shafts, they will not cause slop in the suspenion or wheels. Ball joints and steering components will do this. Re-check these parts.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Well he said it was moving when he grabbed the wheel studs, is the play up and down or side to side?

 

[Brandon Nootenboom]

Ahhh didn't dawn on me that the weight doesn't ride on that shaft, just thought it was kinda funny it had that much movement. And it's primarily up and down now with a little side to side, I do know my tierod ends are OK, haven't gotten to check the ball joints yet...