Wheel Bearing Check?
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 328
Likes: 4
Wheel Bearing Check?
What's the best way to determine if I have a wheel bearing going out in my truck's front end? I have a '76 F150 4x4 that I've noticed a sound (a hum of sorts) at freeway speeds when going around a left corner ( I hear in on the driver's side). I have a feeling it's the bearing, but would like a relatively fail safe method of checking first. Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
Wheel Bearing Check?
Dutch,
Get the vehicle tire off the ground. Grab the tire by the top and bottom and shake the tire in/out from top to bottom. If you feel the tire clicking/clunking then you've got some place to start. Do you need a spanner socket to adjust the bearing like a jeep? I'm not that familiar with the 4x4 front end but I believe your vintage has a ball joint setup. Worn ball joints would give a clunk during turning. Is your truck lifted? Check your power steering pump. P.S. Pumps can give change symptoms which, can be hard to feel with oversized tires. Just a possibility.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher
Get the vehicle tire off the ground. Grab the tire by the top and bottom and shake the tire in/out from top to bottom. If you feel the tire clicking/clunking then you've got some place to start. Do you need a spanner socket to adjust the bearing like a jeep? I'm not that familiar with the 4x4 front end but I believe your vintage has a ball joint setup. Worn ball joints would give a clunk during turning. Is your truck lifted? Check your power steering pump. P.S. Pumps can give change symptoms which, can be hard to feel with oversized tires. Just a possibility.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 328
Likes: 4
Wheel Bearing Check?
I'll give it a try. Unfortunatly, I'm not real familiar with the front end makeup either. I don't hear any "clunking", but rather kind of a soft howl. I'll have to pick up a manual with an exploded diagram. I know on a 2 wheel drive changing the wheel bearing isnt that big of a deal...not sure on a 4 wheel drive with manual hubs.
Thanks again
Thanks again
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Wheel Bearing Check?
I have an exploded view here in Jpeg form if you want the picure.
Just e-mail me direct with your specific request and I'll send it to you.
Dennis
First Came the Chicken,
Then Came the Egg,
Or Was It the Other Way Around?
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
Just e-mail me direct with your specific request and I'll send it to you.
Dennis
First Came the Chicken,
Then Came the Egg,
Or Was It the Other Way Around?
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
