wheel bearing issue?

[Eddo Rogue]

Not sure if correct category, but I found where my loose front end is coming from, but need help diagnosing whats bad.

When prying around, everything is tight except the front axle. The hub/rotor and outer wheel bearing is tight, but the inner wheel bearing seems to have play in it. You can see the axle wobble around inside the spindle. Would this cause my tire jiggle? I thought it was the ball joints, but they don't budge. I ordered Timken inner and outer bearings, races and seals. Am I on the right track?

 

[Curious Hound]

Can you post a picture of where the play is? I think you're confusing some terminology. The inner and outer wheel bears hold the rotor onto the spindle. If it's 4x4, the axle shaft rides in a needle bearing in the back of the knuckle.

Does the wheel wobbly around?

 

[rumblecloud]

This bearing?

 

[Curious Hound]

This bearing?

View attachment 76092

That's the needle bearing I mentioned. Not a wheel bearing. I forget what it's called. I'll find a picture in the tech library for you.

 

[Curious Hound]

Just called the spindle bearing. Exploded view and part numbers here. If it's a 94 Ranger, should be Dana 35 axle. It would be smart to replace the seal also.

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/pdf_documents/Dana_Ford_35.pdf

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Can you post a picture of where the play is? I think you're confusing some terminology. The inner and outer wheel bears hold the rotor onto the spindle. If it's 4x4, the axle shaft rides in a needle bearing in the back of the knuckle.

Does the wheel wobbly around?

You might be right....yes the wheel wobbles around with the lug nuts tight. Not much but enough to worry. I'll try to post a pic. There is play in the back of the knuckle. The rotor itself is tight. Im scratching my head a little at it.

 

[19Walt93]

We had a ton of trouble with spindle bearings in the 80's and into the 90's, mostly F series and Broncos but Rangers too. If you hit a bump driving with the hubs locked, it would sound like you were driving on scarified pavement. You should definitely replace the seal, too, and look carefully at the bearing surface on the axle flange.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

This bearing?

View attachment 76092

No, it's behind the spindle ...that one might be bad too.

 

[Curious Hound]

You might be right....yes the wheel wobbles around with the lug nuts tight. Not much but enough to worry. I'll try to post a pic. There is play in the back of the knuckle. The rotor itself is tight. Im scratching my head a little at it.

The spindle bearing does NOT support the wheel. It only supports the axle shaft and keeps it centered where it passes through the spindle, which is bolted to the knuckle. The wheel bearings support the wheel. If the wheel wobbles, then the wheel bearings are either loose or worn out.

There is a procedure for tightening the wheel bearings. I don't recall the exact torque values at the moment, since I usually do it by feel and, with 35" tires, I have found that mine needs to be just a tiny bit tighter. But, basically, when assembling, you tighten the bearing nut to around 20 or 30 ft-lbs as you rotate the rotor. Then back it off a full turn. Then snug it up to about 17in-lbs. Install the washer with the oil to keep the nut from rotating. Then tighten the lock nut to 150ft-lbs to keep everything in place. Notice the change in units on the second torque value - in-lbs, not ft-lbs.

 

[Curious Hound]

No, it's behind the spindle ...that one might be bad too.

There is no other bearing behind the spindle.

 

[rumblecloud]

There is no other bearing behind the spindle.

Maybe Eddo has one and that's the problem...

 

[Uncle Gump]

Maybe the spindle is loose...

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Sorry guys, I meant knuckle not spindle, or whatever its called here....Its a dana 35 TTB. I think 31 spline. Good info here.
So in conclusion, what bearings should I change in total? I'd rather not replace one bearing in a system anyway...

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I already ordered inner and outer wheel bearings (and seals), what else should I order?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Pizza... beer... and maybe a Russian bride