I have a 2000 EX and as I was rotating the tires I noticed a wobble of my tire. I assumed it was a wheel bearing and tore it apart only to find the wheel bearing was fine. It was deeper. The slop was coming from the axle itself. After watching several videos on this it appears as though it is the front axle dust seal? If this seal is bad would it allow the axle to flop around like a wheel bearing? Or is there a bearing bad deeper inside the axle housing? Also how do I remove the axle to replace it....

 

The dust seal is just that, a dust seal and almost any of then with a couple of years and miles on then has failed and is hanging out of the housing, mine are too. . It won't hurt anything.
Inside of the unit bearing that is the front wheel bearing there is a needle bearing on which outer axle stub rides. The needle bearing can be replaced separately from the unit bearing if needed. However a worn needle bearing wouldn't allow the tire to wobble.........
I'm pretty sure the only things that are going to give your tire any unwanted play would be a dead unit bearing or worn out ball joints.

 

I'm pretty sure the only things that are going to give your tire any unwanted play would be a dead unit bearing or worn out ball joints.

What is a dead unit bearing?

 

On a 4X4 EX the front wheel bearings are factory sealed parts known as Unit Bearings, they are not designed to be greased, rebuilt or serviced in any way. When they wear out (dead ) they need to be replaced as you can not take them apart to just do the wheel bearings like a "normal" setup. They are attached to the steering knuckle by 4 studs and nuts and are complete from there out to the wheel mounting surface. Check out the Tech Folders at the top of this page (red "read this first" heading) for a lot more info one replacing the unit bearings and about a million other things too!

 

Y'all need to search for "Brotherhood of the travelling hub zerk" as many of us have successfully lubed our unit bearings. (Not that it can help after the fact if a bearing is too worn).

 

So I have already purchased a wheel bearing assembly. The way I read your last comment WEZ3S is that I should change that and it should be my source of wobble?
Also how do I verify if the ball joint is ok?

 

Typically to check ball joints for unwanted play you jack the front wheel up clear of the ground then using a long lever placed under the bottom of the tire pry up and feel for any play, there shouldn't be any if the ball joints are healthy. What kind of wobble did you find and how did you find it? Was the wobble associated with any strange noises while moving?
Read the Tech Folders at the top of this forum page to learn more about both the bearings and ball joints (and about a million other EX things!), tons of great stuff in there.

 

Tom is an incredibly helpful and knowledgeable guy, don't let what I'm about to say detract from any of that.

Ok, what is your definition of 'slop' exactly? On a 4x4 with a solid axle, the axle isn't going to be the source of any slop. Even the axle shaft won't cause slop in the wheel, unless another supporting component is already worn out. Since you said you picked up a spare unit bearing, I'm assuming you own a 4WD. More details and specifics please. Did you notice anything before you rotated the wheels? Any issues or symptoms while driving around the last few weeks before? These help a LOT. A bad unit bearing isn't going to go un-noticed, trust me. I've had three crap out and twice my rig almost got hurled off the freeway. How has your driving experience been before you rotated the tires?

Excessive movement or play in the wheel can mean different things, usually depending on the direction and amount of play. I'm not liking the overall direction of this, particularly with what appears to be a rather greenhorn level of wrenching skills and knowledge. Absolutely NO offense to you fortuitous, but there's some things that a rookie shouldn't really attempt solo by themselves. Seeing random parts being purchased and about to be thrown at a problem without even so much as an attempt to find the true source of the problem makes me uneasy. We all learn somewhere, but sometimes that somewhere should be supervised or on something a little less critical. Just my honest opinion.

 

Sorry guys should have been a little more descriptive.... I have a 4X4. It has 120XXX on it. It has never been off road except for a couple of trips to the OBX in the sand. I have not had any issues driving only had a weird noise coming from the drivers side when I would hit a bump. When I jacked up the front drivers side I felt it loose or so I thought. I then grabbed the top and bottom of the tire and was able to move it back and forth. My first thought was wheel bearing. I have changed many in the past. Well after watching you tube I saw how to change it. Well I ordered one and as I was prepping to change it I saw the axle moving and the dust seal flopping around so I stopped and thought I would ask advice on here before I moved forward. I have been mechanicing all my life. I have changed never really had to work on my EX or do and axle work other than wheel bearing on older vehicles. I have never had to change any ball joints either but I have changed engines transmissions... So I am not a mechanic novice just never had to work on this particular part of vehicle. I could not find a schematic to see how its built. Since I already bought the wheel bearing assembly I guess I will change it. and see if it fixes the problem.

 

How long have you had the X ??
WELCOME to the world of XXXs
At 120K if the front end parts are original they most likely ALL are shot & I'd have a good look at the ball joints & tie rod ends & start collecting parts. From your noise description it sounds like a sway bar link has gone South. If you keep the X for a long time you will be VERY versed on front end work

 

I bought it new in 2000. I did look close at the sway bar links... that's my next project. Looks pretty easy.

 

Before you get into changing it, check that the play isn't the balljoints. It's easy enough to check with a level bar or just cranking the wheel from 12 and 6'o'clock, standard balljoint check. Watch the knuckle and see if there's any play in relation to the mating flange on the axle tube itself.

The axle shaft will wiggle up and down because of the stub shaft and the u-joint passing through the seals and unit bearing. If something on the knuckle side is worn, it'll show discernible movement in the axle shaft itself.

 

VERY nice. At 120 if it were mine I be looking a a total rebuild of the front end. It's a lot of work to do piece mill. My unit bearing did not make it to 50,000 on my 2000 SD PU

 

thanks Harley4cs I plan to keep this vehicle for a long time but a total front end rebuild is not in the cards. I have a kid in College and paying cash so a lot of cash going there....

 

Welcome! The advice above is good stuff. At least do the ball joints while you have that unit bearing off. You will thank yourself....