greasing front bearings
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greasing front bearings
I am in the process of getting my 76 up and on the road again. The last time I drove it I kept hearing an airy grinding noise coming from the front end. It didnt feel like the brakes were dragging so I am assuming that the bearings need to be greased. I also jacked up the front and spun both sides on the front. Both gave some resistance with the driver side being the harder side to turn. Does it sound like I am diagnosing this correctly? I have never done this before and wanted to know if anyone has any tips or problems to look out for.
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From: va.
it sounds like it could be the bearings. i try to grease mine once a year depending on how much water i have been in. it's not a hard job just a little messy. if the bearings have not been greased for a while depending on what they look like you should go a head and replace them.just inspect them good and look at the the bearing housing and for flat spots or other damage to the bearing it self.if it looks ok just repack them and put them back in. if you have not done this before just lay everything out on a piece of cardboard the way it came out of you'r hub and put it back the way it came out and you will be fine. you will need a hub socket for the lock nuts and snap ring pliers make alot easier.
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The last time I drove it I kept hearing an airy grinding noise coming from the front end.
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It could be as simple as a backing plate being scuffed.
I would jack it up and be right there and turn each wheel listening for the noise.
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It could be as simple as a backing plate being scuffed.
I would jack it up and be right there and turn each wheel listening for the noise.
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From: va.
i agree with Dennis. after you get the wheel off the ground with one hand on top of the tire and the other hand under the tire try pulling the tire towards you then away from you. if the tire moves then your lock nut has backed off allowing play in you'r bearings or you have bad bearings. i have seen bearings lock up causing the wheel to completly lock up .or messing the spindle up.
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so it is safe to say that I should grease them. ANy problems that likely exist there should be fixed by doing that? how much do I have to mess with the brakes? that always scares me. i think its been about four years since the bearings have been greased.
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From: Sonoma, CA
Not sure what your truck is so assuming it has front disc brakes, you'll need to take the pads out and calipers off to get at and repack the bearings. Not a big job but if you are not comfortable don't do it. A manual will have a wealth of info and may make you a little more comfortable with the project. It will be easy to check to see what the problem is. Can you see the rotors and are they smooth. That's a good place to start. Post back if you have more questions.
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From: va.
hey henry , mike is right just do what you'r comfortable doing. maybe you know someone that has done this before that could lend you a hand. as far as the brakes go if you have disc brakes you just have one bolt on the bottom of you'r caliber then tap out the wedge that the bolt goes through and you'r caliper will come off. but taking you'r hub apart can be a little tricky if you have never done one before. good luck and keep us posted
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Freshman User
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its been a long time since I did this and I had help. We'll see. Fortunately it isnt a daily driver in case i get stuck. Disc brakes though. Is there a particular size socket or wrench I should need to get the hub loose?
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From: va.
you will need a special socket for you'r locking nuts. i checked mine there is no size marked on it. it's aboute the size of a (skoal can) and has tabs either on the inside or around the outer edge that insert into the notches on the lock nut. most auto parts stores carry them. just tell them what your working on.
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From: va.
im sorry henry for all the bad info. i took for granted you were working on a 4 wheel drive . that was my fault for not asking. im glad someone else had sense enough to ask. being a 2 wheel drive cuts your work in half . plus you wont have to go out and buy special tools to get the job done.
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My wheel bearings just siezed, of course at the worst of times, many miles from home on the highway. I almost flipped the truck in the process of keeping it on the road, not fun! The sad part is I just replaced every front end part on the truck over the summer but of course, I skimped on the wheel bearings and bought $8 Advance Auto Parts bearings. I packed them good, and definetly did the tightening sequence correctly. I am replacing them, along with the other side, which hasn't failed yet, with Timkens. It wrecked my spindle in the process ($70). Make sure you get good quality bearings, don't be a cheapo like me :-)