Bad unit bearings?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,450
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
Bad unit bearings?
So.....I now have my front tires cupping on both outer edges and shaking in my steering wheel. My timken unit bearings were installed in 2018 BUT I only have less than 6,000 miles on the truck since then. I pulled the front brakes and found grease coming out of both seals on the bearings! Called Timken no response, then emailed twice and they did respond but told me warranty is only 1year from date of purchase.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Santa Fe, TX
how much play is in the bearing? When the tire is mounted, but off of the ground, can you notice any movement if you rock the tire?
Point being that maybe the bearings are not bad. Grease you see coming out is just the excess pushing through the seals.
Point being that maybe the bearings are not bad. Grease you see coming out is just the excess pushing through the seals.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 164
From: Southwest Ohio
High levels.of vibration will cause premature bearing failure. If the grease is black (not due to dirt), the vibration caused a severe increase in friction, which overheated the bearing. When the grease looks like tar, that's the tell-tale sign of lithium complex grease that's gone over-temp.
(I work for a bearing manufacturer)
-- Dave
(I work for a bearing manufacturer)
-- Dave
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,450
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
how much play is in the bearing? When the tire is mounted, but off of the ground, can you notice any movement if you rock the tire?
NO IVE CHECKED THREE TIMES AND CAN NOT FIND ANY PLAY. WHAT I DO FIND IS I CAN FEEL A CLUNK WHEN THE TRUCK IS ON THE GROUND AND I HAVE SOMEONE TURN THE WHEEL
Point being that maybe the bearings are not bad. Grease you see coming out is just the excess pushing through the seals.
NO IVE CHECKED THREE TIMES AND CAN NOT FIND ANY PLAY. WHAT I DO FIND IS I CAN FEEL A CLUNK WHEN THE TRUCK IS ON THE GROUND AND I HAVE SOMEONE TURN THE WHEEL
Point being that maybe the bearings are not bad. Grease you see coming out is just the excess pushing through the seals.
High levels.of vibration will cause premature bearing failure. If the grease is black (not due to dirt), the vibration caused a severe increase in friction, which overheated the bearing. When the grease looks like tar, that's the tell-tale sign of lithium complex grease that's gone over-temp.
(I work for a bearing manufacturer)
-- Dave
(I work for a bearing manufacturer)
-- Dave
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Santa Fe, TX
Clunk when turning sounds like a bad tie-rod end on a steering linkage. could explain the vibration and cupping too in my opinion if the tires are toe'd in more when driving.
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Lead Driver
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Santa Fe, TX
If there is no noticeable play in the unit bearings then i would concentrate on where that clunk is coming from. if not tie-rod ends then maybe ball joints or the rubber bushings for the leaf springs and hangers. i have had to replaced those before as well.
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