Hey guys:

I have a 93 Bronco 5.0. I changed the auto locking hubs out to manuals. Dont remember what kind. Nothing spectacular. Anyway, I had done that a long time ago and seem to remember that something is just not right with my front passenger side of the vehicle.

Last night I went to change the bearings, because I am getting that vibration hum bearings give when they are getting worn or pitted or whatever. I seem to remember when I changed the rotor/hub assemble on that side, I had to use the old inner bearing because I couldn't get the new one to fit.

Here's the deal, I bought inners and outers to do both sides. On the passenger side, the inner that they gave me is WAY too big. There's no way that it could go on there. So i had this other inner bearing I got from another guy who sold his Bronco. This Timekin inner bearing has the exact same number as my old bearing that is on the truck now; however, it doesnt fit over the axle. It goes in the hub good, but the hub won't slide on. Only my old bearing works on this side of the truck and I can't for the life of me figure it out.

I have had more problems with the passenger side wheel that I would like. My brakes have worn out to bare metal twice in a year and a half, my bearings can't get right, and my hubs don't fit right. Not like the driver's side. The passenger side doesn't look like anything has been changed to a different model anything, but it just isn't right. i don't know how to explain it.

Anyway, any suggestions? Is it possible to get an exact same bearing and it not fit? Should I change out the whole axle thing (which i'm not sure if i can do)? I ended up putting the old bearing back on again, and now the vibration hum is a lot worse. This is my only vehicle and i gotta get it right.

Thanks in advance.

 

Maybe you should take it to a shop.

 

I would except money is tight and I am pretty handy. Plus every time u go to a shop. They want to give u 42 more things to get more money.
This forum is a good research tool for me to work on it myself.

 

I have to say I dont follow you completely. When you say inners, do you mean the inner bearing on the spindle or the inner half of the bearing? (as apposed to the race)

Are you saying that the when you hold the new bearings and old bearings in your hand they are differnt? Are you saying that the new bearing fits on one side, (of the truck) but not the other? What I would sugest. Remove all four bearings (and all four races) on both sides and compare. if they are the same, then compare the hubs and spindles. I cant believe you cant see (or measure) a differnce. If so, take the old bearings to the auto parts store and let them find a replacement.

Its possible that someone changed one of your spindles. But I would think it would be an eight lug wheel then.

 

Yeah, it's crazy right? By inner bearing I mean the inside bearing that goes into the hub. I did finally get the race out and put the new race in that came with the bearing the guy gave me. The two inner bearings that I got from Autozone were WAY big. They didnt even fit in the rotor at all. So i got the old race out and put the new race in. Then I put the new bearing in and the seal on. I went to put the rotor back onto the spindle and it wouldn't go on. I even tried tapping it on with a hammer. No luck. So i took it off and took the bearing out. It is the exact same number and size as the old bearing (by size, i eyeballed it). It HAS to be smaller by a millimeter or smaller. The old bearing goes onto the spindle very tightly.

As far as comparing to the driver's side, I went to take the driver's side off and couldnt get the locking hub screws out. I am going to have to drill them out, which is what I had to do with 2 of the passenger side screws. So until i get the cash flow to buy new ones, I have to wait on the driver's side.

I was thinking the spindle may have been changed, but it really doesnt look like anything has been done. Everything is pretty uniform and consistent looking underneath. Not to say it hasnt been done. But I got the truck in 07 from a guy who's wife drove it to work for years. He didnt mention anything. And it was sitting when i got it.

Anyway, I was thinking of taking some pics and posting them in here to give a more clear idea. You think that would be a good idea?

 

Oh and right now i have 6 sets of bearings:

The two outers (these seem to fit good)
The two inners (these i got from Auto Zone and are too big for the passenger side-havent checked the drivers yet)
The inner (i got from the guy that is the exact same number as the old)
The outer (i got from the guy)

I held the two inners (out of the race in the rotor) and they matched in number, and seems to match in size. The ones I got from Autozone are way off, about a half inch bigger.

 

Does the spindle or old bearing look beat up? Some one could have had bearing trouble before you. If a bearing seize, they had to cut/grind it off. Then they had to grind the new bearing to get it on. If so, I would carefully file the spindle until you get the new bearing on. Obviouslly, the 1/2" big bearing is a mix up at twilightzone.

 

LOL...yeah it has to be a mix up. The spindle looks good and smooth. The old bearing is good also as far as the outside where it slides onto the spindle. The bearings themselves though ar somewhat pitted. Not too horrible, but bad enough to make that vibration. I don't know. This spindle HAD to have been changed right? but with what? And i still cant understand how both bearings have identical numbers but one doesnt fit.

I need to get this driver's side off and do a comparison. I looked online at LMC and their spindles are around $300, a little too much for me right now, expecially since I dont know that it is a problem. I do need to do something quick though, b/c if that bearing does burn up, then i will need a new spindle. lol.