I have an '04 4x2 XL Ranger and for as long as I've had it, it's ate the front left and right side bearings up every 6 months! Usually the way it starts or how I can prevent it from eating the bearing is the axle nut backs off and I can tighten it up. But, I have the pin in and the nut retainer in, I even replaced those, yet it still keeps backing off on both sides. I replaced the retainers, the washers, the hubs, ball joints, inner/outer tie rod ends I mean you name it, I've rebuilt the whole front end. I also just put new tires on and got an alignment. Can anyone tell me what could be causing this??

Thanks!!

 

Assuming your are replacing both races and bearings and spindles and hubs look OK..............

Must use a torque wrench for this, many mechanics don't and bearings don't last long on newer vehicles.

Pack bearings with grease, install races and bearings in hub
Tighten nut to 18-20ft/lb, spin rotor, loosen nut 1/2 turn, tighten to 18ft/lb again, spin rotor, that should push out grease and seat the races and bearings
Loosen again
Tighten to 18-20 INCH/pounds, that's inch pounds, and you are done

If you don't have an inch/pound torque wrench tighten nut by hand while spinning rotor, then tighten 1/16 to 1/8 of a turn with wrench