Wheel bearing problems
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
If you lock the hubs and the vibration and/or noise goes away, that should isolate the problem to being needle bearings. So far, unless I'm missing something here, this is all sounding like a stub axle needle bearing issue. Does the stub axle look okay, where the needle bearing rides?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 216
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The stub axle looked to be ok but there could be something going on that can't been seen with the naked eye. And on the old assembly that came out all the needle bearings fell out that's when I bit the bullet and bought a new one and geased the crap out of it before I put it on
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
The stub axle looked to be ok but there could be something going on that can't been seen with the naked eye. And on the old assembly that came out all the needle bearings fell out that's when I bit the bullet and bought a new one and geased the crap out of it before I put it on
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
I'll lock it in in the morning before I leave for work and see what it does on the ride. Now kind of a curve ball the roads were wet tonight on the way home and I didn't feel. Also I know this is way off topic but while driving it pulls to the left another reason I know something is up on the d/s but when I hit the brakes hard it pulls to the right hard on normal stopping it is occasionally when it does it
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Asheville-where weird is
Does the truck drift any at all or follow dips, lines or valleys in the road?
When is the last time that you greased your slide pins? Bled the brakes?
When is the last time that you greased your slide pins? Bled the brakes?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
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Before I replaced the whole front end it was a guessing game on what direction I was going to go after hitting a bump. And I bled my brakes 6 months ago when I put all new pads rotor and calipers on the rear I greased them at the same time as well.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Asheville-where weird is
Is your ABS light illuminated?
Either way, try getting a quart of brake fluid and doing a gravity bleed starting with back pass side, then back DS, then front PS, and then front DS.
Back to the vibration. Also, after running the test that the guys above suggested tomorrow morning, prior to leaving work on your way home, after unlocking your hubs, put a piece of silver duct tape or something else that is easily seen on each front axle and the front drive shaft and see if they have turned by the time you get home.
A small zip tie will work also and you'll hear it.
Either way, try getting a quart of brake fluid and doing a gravity bleed starting with back pass side, then back DS, then front PS, and then front DS.
Back to the vibration. Also, after running the test that the guys above suggested tomorrow morning, prior to leaving work on your way home, after unlocking your hubs, put a piece of silver duct tape or something else that is easily seen on each front axle and the front drive shaft and see if they have turned by the time you get home.
A small zip tie will work also and you'll hear it.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
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So I locked in the d/s hub this morning and it was way better the vibration wasn't totally gone but it was a very faint one. I also was able to go over 60 mph with out feeling like the truck was going to fall apart
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
I just replaced both front wheel bearings, stub axles, u-joints, axle seals, all at once for the exact same symptom. Felt like a driveshaft was out of balance except the frequency of the vibration doesn't follow vehicle speed up and down. Been two weeks now and so far so good. Fingers crossed.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 17
From: Jacksonville, FL
Originally Posted by bielaf
I'm leaning in that direction honestly the axle shafts are the only things left that aren't brand new up there