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Speaking of front end breakage: bad inner wheel bearing

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Old Mar 4, 2007
  #1  
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From: Kennett Square, PA
Speaking of front end breakage: bad inner wheel bearing

If you read in between my tirades about the Centralia meet you might have seen pics of me messing with my front hub. My wheel was actually loose on the spindle shaft and I had to tighten the nut to compensate.

Well, it got loose again over the week so I took it apart yesterday and what I found was a destroyed inner wheel bearing. It was greased and all and I have no idea what happened. Don't know how I goofed if I did, or if it was a bad bearing.

I've done lots of 2WD front bearings both in my truck and in cars and never had this happen.

Notice that the wheel was running too close to the spindle and the ABS tone ring wore away the end of the sensor and destroyed it. No ABS now but that's okay as I was going to lose it when I SAS'd anyway.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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Isn't that why Fabtech gives you that steering top .

 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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No. It would have no effect. When the spindle body hits the a-arm, it doesn't stress the inner wheel bearing a bit. When the brakes hit it (if they do), it just compresses the brake caliper and the stress goes into the bracket.

So, it has nothing to do with it.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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Ouch....nice carnage. Never a dull moment with your truck, eh John?
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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Dang John!
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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I am so looking forward to DIFFERENT problems with the SAS, lol.

I've had enough of overstressed IFS to last me for awhile, thanks.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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yummy, i hate when stuff breaks. all the more reason to SAS
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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Cost about $80 for a new rotor/hub, bearings and seal. I didn't fix the ABS and don't intend to at this point.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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Originally Posted by n3elz
Cost about $80 for a new rotor/hub, bearings and seal. I didn't fix the ABS and don't intend to at this point.
Man! I hate how the hub assembly is built into the 2wd rotors.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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hey that looked like mine a while back ago.. sucks
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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that sucks o well.

and did you polish your rims yet john?
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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No, I didn't. I took a scotchbrite pad to them and now they have a "brushed aluminum" look, lol.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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wow thats kinda strange... i can only assume it was a defective bearing
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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mmm carnage...well it could have been worst...like snapping your spindle off glad you got it fixed though, cant wait to see the SAS thread start! what are you putting in it for a SA anyway?
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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From: Kennett Square, PA
High pinion Dana 44 from a 1978 F-150. I'm using the entire suspension including the 4" lift springs that were on the donor truck.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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that should be pretty easy seeing you got most of the parts already, what size tires you going up to now? 44's?
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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I don't even wanna think of that truck after the swap. It'll be unstopable with the right driver
 
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Old Mar 4, 2007
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From: Kennett Square, PA
Originally Posted by blackbetty
that should be pretty easy seeing you got most of the parts already, what size tires you going up to now? 44's?
Nope. Staying with 35's. It'll still be the daily driver and I don't want to lift it too high or tire it too big -- yet, lol.

Originally Posted by l2en
I don't even wanna think of that truck after the swap. It'll be unstopable with the right driver
I'm trying to locate that driver now, Travis -- film at 11...
 
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Old Mar 5, 2007
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Yucky!
 
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Old Mar 5, 2007
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wow....you have horrible luck with spindles

glad you cought it before it welded to the spindle
 
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Old Mar 5, 2007
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Wow, I hope I don't have the same problem...I'm having some major problems w/ ifs right now
 
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Old Mar 5, 2007
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That's what I thought it sounded like. Glad you found it. Did the sound ever get more consistant or was it still only happening when you were turning?
 
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Old Mar 5, 2007
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IFS = teh suck. Glad you caught it though before something worse could have happened!
 
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Old Mar 5, 2007
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From: Kennett Square, PA
Originally Posted by Ironelk
That's what I thought it sounded like. Glad you found it. Did the sound ever get more consistant or was it still only happening when you were turning?
Just kept getting worse sadly. After I tightened the nut Saturday night it went away, but began to come back slightly on the ride home.

Then over the week it got worse than it was when you heard it. Friday I didn't drive it, I took my wife's new Escape since she still had the rental.

Then on Saturday I tore it down. Almost waited too long...

I just didn't think that's what it could be, based on my experience with the bearings not having failed even when the truck was jumped. The bearings from the broken spindle were still good back when I removed it!
 
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