Rear wheel bearings?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: thornton CO
Rear wheel bearings?
So a couple weeks ago I noticed a vibration from the rear end between 43 and 48 mph. This happens in drive or coasting in neutral. I can feel no movement in the drive line. Now it clunks when I go over bumps and when I push back and forth on the rear tire it clunks and there is a little bit of movement... from where I cant tell. Is this a symptom of wheel bearings gone bad or could it be something else?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 5
wheel bearings are possible but theres other components that are a little more common problems.chock or block front tires,raise rear of truck on to jack stands,check wheel bearings for looseness,check rear diff. oil level,check ujoints on rear drive line & slip yoke splines for lube & condition,check carrier bearing,check for balance weights missing on drive line [ best to do this with drive line off ].check pinnion for looseness,check for loose lugnuts.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: thornton CO
Fluid level is good.Lug nuts are tight, drive line seems ok. When I try to move the rear wheels by hand its only the passenger side that has movement. I don't know anything about this kind of thing so carrier bearing, pinion...???
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 5
unless you have something obvious,you may have to drop the drive line to inspect things better,u-joints can feel snug,but they can be full of rust & binding,carrier bearing is the bearing towards the front of the rear drive line assembly its mounted in rubber,its hard to check the bearing with out dropping down for spin test,pinnion is the input or where the drive line attaches to the rear diff.,that should not have any movement with a side to side shake.if you pull the wheel bearings apart for inspection you will need a spanner socket & maybe oil seals if not very careful .
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: thornton CO
Forgive my ignorance but the problem seems to be coming from the right rear and not the drive line or rear diff. I'll try to make time to pull the wheel and inspect tonight. It's definitely getting worse. Should I be concerned about driving it. Can I cause more damage?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Ohio
If you can move the wheel in and out, it is the bearing. And you can ruin the axle housing driving on a bad bearing.
The rears are not unit bearings. You need a spindle nut socket and seal. The bearings may be ok, just out of adjustment. Pull brakes on that side, pull axle shaft, remove spindle nut ant hub. Pop out bearings clean and check, replace as needed.
The rears are not unit bearings. You need a spindle nut socket and seal. The bearings may be ok, just out of adjustment. Pull brakes on that side, pull axle shaft, remove spindle nut ant hub. Pop out bearings clean and check, replace as needed.
Semper Fi
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 771
Likes: 1
Check the retaining spindle nut right away. My right rear backed off due to the bearing being worn to finger tight. This causes a series of catastrophic events that ultimately caused by entire rear end to be replaced including the bearings and races and both ends.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: thornton CO
To grease or not to grease, that is my question. I've read conflicting opinions on greasing the bearings. I got the right rear hub off and bearings out tonight. I'll get back at it tomorrow morning.
A buddy of mine who's a mechanic says not to pack the bearings but to be sure and jack the opposite side up to make sure the oil gets all the way into the hub.
My employer who used to be a mechanic (about 30 years ago) says be sure and pack them. What do you guys think?
A buddy of mine who's a mechanic says not to pack the bearings but to be sure and jack the opposite side up to make sure the oil gets all the way into the hub.
My employer who used to be a mechanic (about 30 years ago) says be sure and pack them. What do you guys think?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 5
dont pack with wheel bearing grease,it will stop the gear oil from entering bearing,but you can prelube with gear oil or use a light coating Lubriplate 105 engine assembly grease it will wash out in to the gear oil.I still raise one sideat a time to get gear oil to start its journey to the bearings.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 5
I just check for unusual wear on ring & pinion [ big gear is ring gear & small gear is the pinion,also check for metal debri at bottom of diff. casting.oh dont forget to look at the spyder gears.there the ones the axle shaft goes through.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: thornton CO
Thanks a lot for your input. I found a good amount of fine metal dust and a couple decent size shavings. I'll inspect really close tomorrow and take pics if anything looks 'abnormal'.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Ohio
Also be aware these trucks call for synthetic gear lube, 75-140 IIRC. Most, if not all, are LS so you need a lube with friction modifier in it or buy it separate to add in.
Look at the thrust washers behind the spiders, I have had them let go 2 10.5's and think it just happened to a third, but I haven't confirmed it yet.
Look at the thrust washers behind the spiders, I have had them let go 2 10.5's and think it just happened to a third, but I haven't confirmed it yet.