Hi Guys:

-- Started as a grinding sound, seemed to be related to turning sharp left.

-- Before I could get it checked, on the highway the truck started to "wobble" seriously above 40mph. I was fairly close to home so I limped home at 35mph.

-- Jacked it up today, driver side front tire would wiggle in-out...not good. Took tire off, and it the whole hub assembly does that.

Is this a bad hub assembly? Are there other items I should check before ordering parts? Is there any test other then me being able to rock it in-out that would confirm it?

I can turn a wrench, but I don't have a lot of experience diagnosing problems and tend to work slowly while reading the directions :)

Turkey time for me -- thanks in advance for your advice!
Matt

 

sounds like the wheelbearing unit is done for to me.

 

ball joints??

 

wheel bearings are bad

 

Thanks Guys --

Now that I have it mostly done there's no doubt about it being bad!

I've been following these directions: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...44#post1499844 which seem to fit my '03 Ranger, too.

I'm at the "squirt and bang" phase though -- I've removed all the bolts in those directions and that I can see. Doesn't want to budge, so as I walk by it I squirt PB Blaster and whack it a few times with the rubber mallet. Any other ideas?

W00T -- Editing to say never mind the last part...found out Advance Auto in town loans tools. Borrowed a hub puller, took all of 3-1/2 minutes to pull it off.

I'm off to go pickup some new tie rod ends (the rubber on the existing one looks damaged), and some new front shocks while I have everything exposed.