Water contamination
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Water contamination
Well, I have now realized that off-roading has dwonsides. I was getting rubbing sound and drove home 150 miles on it. It wasn't that bad. another 20 miles and it was BAD, could hear grinding. Took it in intot he shop. Everything is torn up, hubs, wheel bearings, rotors are scored, spindles, it sucks. Only thing holding the wheels on was the brake calipers. Scary.
The cause it hard to say. But most likely a combo of old bearings, possible some bad work in the past, and contamination. There was mud in everything, EVERYTHING. I now know the important of cleaning the suspension of the truck, and also that deep water and such, while fun, isn't always the best idea, sometimes it's better to go around.
Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen cause it tore up pretty much everything in the front wheel assemblies for me.
The cause it hard to say. But most likely a combo of old bearings, possible some bad work in the past, and contamination. There was mud in everything, EVERYTHING. I now know the important of cleaning the suspension of the truck, and also that deep water and such, while fun, isn't always the best idea, sometimes it's better to go around.
Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen cause it tore up pretty much everything in the front wheel assemblies for me.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Certain front ends require certain solutions. On a BII/Ranger the best thing is to run blue RTV around the O-rings on the external hubs.
On a Dana 44, there is a different solution for each year. Best thing to do (imo) is pack everything with grease, go off-road, see where mud got in and then seal it better.
If I go through deep standing water, I grease all my joints afterwards. I would not drive it 150 miles without greasing it and forcing all the water out.
I think sand can be even worse than mud/water, especially if it gets into the pumpkin from an axle seal. Best thing is to have a good vent system going for your axle and when you initially go into mud/water to go slowly so pressure and heat equalizes.
The reason for saying this is if you drove 150 miles to get there, your axle, brakes, and the seals behind the brakes are very hot. You hit the cool water and there is an in rush of air and it will either suck in air or water to equalize. Which is why a good vent system for the axle is a must if you go into it over your hubs.
On a Dana 44, there is a different solution for each year. Best thing to do (imo) is pack everything with grease, go off-road, see where mud got in and then seal it better.
If I go through deep standing water, I grease all my joints afterwards. I would not drive it 150 miles without greasing it and forcing all the water out.
I think sand can be even worse than mud/water, especially if it gets into the pumpkin from an axle seal. Best thing is to have a good vent system going for your axle and when you initially go into mud/water to go slowly so pressure and heat equalizes.
The reason for saying this is if you drove 150 miles to get there, your axle, brakes, and the seals behind the brakes are very hot. You hit the cool water and there is an in rush of air and it will either suck in air or water to equalize. Which is why a good vent system for the axle is a must if you go into it over your hubs.
Last edited by rebocardo; Dec 19, 2003 at 12:18 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
i dunno about a downside....look at it this way you got to learn a lil more about your truck
. Yes I have been there and done that. Sorry that you had to go through it but it's all in the experience. Now, instead of washing my truck I pull my rear drums and front discs off and clean the mud out and repcak all my bearings! I have yet to have any kind of problems.
i actually had that exact same thing happen to me....the grinding of the wheel bearings as they exploded in my hubs!
-jason-
. Yes I have been there and done that. Sorry that you had to go through it but it's all in the experience. Now, instead of washing my truck I pull my rear drums and front discs off and clean the mud out and repcak all my bearings! I have yet to have any kind of problems.i actually had that exact same thing happen to me....the grinding of the wheel bearings as they exploded in my hubs!
-jason-
