I've have my truck for a couple weeks, so I've been trying to work out the minor things. Changed both front inner and outer wheel bearings last weekend, drove 160 km and did a little playing in the mud once. Came home to find both wheels slanted in at the top. Jacked it up and it's like the wheel bearings are beat right out of it. Had to leave the truck for the week so just wondering if anybody has come into a situation like this, it's like the bearing are loose, I know I shouldn't of went with the cheapest bearings but 160 km is pretty crazy to be ruined. It's a stock dana 44, 302 5 spd 6 inch lift turning 35s. Any advice would be appreciated thanks

 

Haha my first guess would be to point fingers at the 35's, these trucks aren't built to run big heavy tires. Then again even with 35's, 160km seems way fast to have issues. Are you sure its the bearings and not the ball joints?

 

I'm running 35s on mine too. Had to replace the passenger bearing a couple months ago then did both a few later. Last month had to replace both along with all new hubs and spindles and innards and all. I 4 wheel every weekend which I know destroys mine but I haven't had a problem yet with the new ones. (knock on wood)

 

Ball joints are all still tight, it's definitely something with the bearings. I actually made a mistake and posted this twice and was told maybe the lock nuts came loose, and asking around I think that's it. The locks were tight but maybe not tight enough to fully seat the bearings and gettin worked in came loose. Hopin that's what it is but can't check out the truck till the weekend.

Hubs and spindles did have some wear, but not to the point that the bearing should be wrecked by now. Hoping for a quick reliable fix, 3 weeks and she's gotta travel 1800km back east lol running 235 70s for that trip

 

You used a cotter pin on the castle nut right? Always when replacing bearings...tighten the nut as tight as you can with a channel lock, spin the wheel a few turns then back it off and re adjust to seat the bearings.

 

Channel lock? They make a tool for the spindle nuts and there is a torque procedure for them. Sounds to me the spindle nuts were set up properly. Does urs have the 3 peice spindle nut or the ratchet style?

I pounded the **** out of my 93 for 3 years every weekend and i never had a bearing fail. Every month i just inspected and repacked them with grease. I've actually never had a wheel bearing fail on any of my trucks.

And how far is 160 km anyway?

 

Ya that's why I'm thinking it must of came loose, didn't retighten the lock but after it seated. Guess the little bit of mudding popped them in place.

It is the 3 lock system and I had the proper socket on them.


And 160 km is about 100 miles, not far enough to beat a greased bearing out lol

 

My bad my bad...I spaces it was a 4x. Gotta have the special socket for that. Used to doing implements An a channel lock works good for those.

 

In a bind u can use a punch and hammer but it chews the spindle nut up. Dosnt take long if they arent seated properly.

 

That's how I got the first side off, then found somebody with the right socket to finish the job. Everything is easier with the right tools lol