Is It Wheel Bearings???
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From: Paw Paw, MI
Is It Wheel Bearings???
Okay, here is a preface to below. Today started getting a bad vibration, not in the steering, but all over. Didnt matter whether low speed or high speed. It seemed to start when I hit a bump, and then would stop if I hit another bump. Didnt do it all the time, but is VERY noticable when it does it.
Here is a recap of my ****ty day.
1. Drained rearend fluid, and inspected gears thinking maybe it was going and causing vibration. The fluid alone cause $65, not to mention time. Result: Everything looked good, although fluid was due to be changed.
2. Replaced all three ujoints on rear drive shaft. There is another $45. They were a bitch to get out as they were rusted pretty bad. Advanced sold me the wrong ujoints on 2 out of 3. Had to go back and exchange. The result: Put everything back together, test drove, hit a bump, and vibration is back. Starting to get really pissed by now.
3. Pulled out front drive shaft thinking that maybe one of the 3 ujoints on there are bad. The result: test drove, hit a bump, vibration back. Seriously starting to get pissed now. The front driveshaft is still laying on the floor in the garage. Dont really need it now anyway.
4. Last but not least, and more for ****s and giggles than anything, pulled off front hubs and went for test drive. The result: First of all, the steering wheel kick is now gone, steers normal. Second, vibration is gone. Cant get it to do it again. Third, hear a bad squeal for about 15 seconds driving down the road, then gone. Got back, and check the end of the shafts, the splines. Passenger side, tight, no movement. Drivers side, can move up and down to the point where u hear it clanking.
So on to my question. Do you think drivers side wheel bearing is going? I am so tired right now, and still pissed at all the money I have thrown at this problem, that I am having trouble putting the pieces of the puzzle together. Is it possible that with the hubs on the movement on D.side is causing the vibration, and now that hub is off and not supporting spline, that movement is causing the squeal we heard?? The only thing I can think of is wheel bearing, and considering these are $400 on this truck, I absolutely cant be wrong again. I am pretty sure that the spindle shouldnt be able to move up and down. Am I correct on this?? I am at a loss as to why it was affecting the steering with the kick on the steering wheel, but with the hubs off it is not doing it. What do you think?
I appreciate any input greatly guys! It seems like for the last couple days it has been one problem after another, and is starting to take its toll!
Thanks!
Bill
Here is a recap of my ****ty day.
1. Drained rearend fluid, and inspected gears thinking maybe it was going and causing vibration. The fluid alone cause $65, not to mention time. Result: Everything looked good, although fluid was due to be changed.
2. Replaced all three ujoints on rear drive shaft. There is another $45. They were a bitch to get out as they were rusted pretty bad. Advanced sold me the wrong ujoints on 2 out of 3. Had to go back and exchange. The result: Put everything back together, test drove, hit a bump, and vibration is back. Starting to get really pissed by now.
3. Pulled out front drive shaft thinking that maybe one of the 3 ujoints on there are bad. The result: test drove, hit a bump, vibration back. Seriously starting to get pissed now. The front driveshaft is still laying on the floor in the garage. Dont really need it now anyway.
4. Last but not least, and more for ****s and giggles than anything, pulled off front hubs and went for test drive. The result: First of all, the steering wheel kick is now gone, steers normal. Second, vibration is gone. Cant get it to do it again. Third, hear a bad squeal for about 15 seconds driving down the road, then gone. Got back, and check the end of the shafts, the splines. Passenger side, tight, no movement. Drivers side, can move up and down to the point where u hear it clanking.
So on to my question. Do you think drivers side wheel bearing is going? I am so tired right now, and still pissed at all the money I have thrown at this problem, that I am having trouble putting the pieces of the puzzle together. Is it possible that with the hubs on the movement on D.side is causing the vibration, and now that hub is off and not supporting spline, that movement is causing the squeal we heard?? The only thing I can think of is wheel bearing, and considering these are $400 on this truck, I absolutely cant be wrong again. I am pretty sure that the spindle shouldnt be able to move up and down. Am I correct on this?? I am at a loss as to why it was affecting the steering with the kick on the steering wheel, but with the hubs off it is not doing it. What do you think?
I appreciate any input greatly guys! It seems like for the last couple days it has been one problem after another, and is starting to take its toll!
Thanks!
Bill
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
Sounds to me like the lockout hub failed and took the bearing hub with it. Best price I found on the wheelbearings/hub is O'reillys at about $260. Probably another hundred and a half for a set of new manual lockouts.
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From: Paw Paw, MI
Originally Posted by cookie88
Sounds to me like the lockout hub failed and took the bearing hub with it. Best price I found on the wheelbearings/hub is O'reillys at about $260. Probably another hundred and a half for a set of new manual lockouts.
Thanks
Bill
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
Yes. The inner and outer wheel bearings are in a non serviceable, sealed hub assembly.
As far as the splined end of the axleshaft. It has nothing more than a snap ring and three thrust washers holding it in the hub. You should be able to get some axial movement in it pushing/pulling from the u-joint side of the axleshaft, but a "clunking" amount of radial play pretty well means the bearings are trashed I think.
As far as the splined end of the axleshaft. It has nothing more than a snap ring and three thrust washers holding it in the hub. You should be able to get some axial movement in it pushing/pulling from the u-joint side of the axleshaft, but a "clunking" amount of radial play pretty well means the bearings are trashed I think.
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From: Paw Paw, MI
Originally Posted by cookie88
Yes. The inner and outer wheel bearings are in a non serviceable, sealed hub assembly.
As far as the splined end of the axleshaft. It has nothing more than a snap ring and three thrust washers holding it in the hub. You should be able to get some axial movement in it pushing/pulling from the u-joint side of the axleshaft, but a "clunking" amount of radial play pretty well means the bearings are trashed I think.
As far as the splined end of the axleshaft. It has nothing more than a snap ring and three thrust washers holding it in the hub. You should be able to get some axial movement in it pushing/pulling from the u-joint side of the axleshaft, but a "clunking" amount of radial play pretty well means the bearings are trashed I think.
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From: Paw Paw, MI
So when I put on aftermarket lockouts, is there something special I need to do with the vacuum line to the front hubs. I think I read that you need to plug it. If so, where do you plug it and with what??
Thanks
Bill
Thanks
Bill
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You just described my problem down to the T. I am in the process of replacing the bad wheel bearing. I've heard that its the inner spindle bearing that is probably bad, allowing for axial movement of the axle shaft, which makes sense to me. Try locking the hub and then taking it for a drive. I'd be willing to bet that the vibration goes away, mine did. Maybe your lockout hubs are ok?
I could be wrong, and correct me if I am, but its my understanding that the bad bearing (inner bearing), responsible for the axial movement of the shaft is basically there to support the axle shaft, nothing else..ie, the tire won't fall off if it takes a complete dive.
I could be wrong, and correct me if I am, but its my understanding that the bad bearing (inner bearing), responsible for the axial movement of the shaft is basically there to support the axle shaft, nothing else..ie, the tire won't fall off if it takes a complete dive.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
If the problem goes away when the hubs are locked then it's usually caused by a bad spindle bearing. When the hubs are locked the spindle bearing isn't turning. Unfortunately quite often when the spindle bearing is bad enough to cause noise and vibration it's already done damage to the axle where the bearing rides.
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Thank God I grew out of my 4X4 yearnings years ago. I take alot of ribbing for buying such an expensive truck with rear wheel drive only. Even when I owned high dollar 4 by's I found I had very little use for the extra drive. Maybe once or twice a year. Can live out my golden years without them headaches. Have fun, and get a night job to help pay for all the extra expenses.
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From: Paw Paw, MI
okay, here is the latest update. I put hubs back on last night. Went to leave today, and truck wouldnt start, but that is another problem that is new and adding to all the others I have had this week. So I finally get truck started, drove to work, and no vibration, no steering issues at all. So I am thinking maybe a bad hub?? Now that it is working great, but when will it stop again. I think my next course of action will be the warn hubs, but any ideas on plugging the vacuum??
Thanks
Bill
Thanks
Bill
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