Spindle needle bearing

tuckman · October 3, 2010

So my 92 ex became my daily driver a couple weeks ago as my Excursion is down, waiting on parts.
The last few days I have noticed a vibration from the passenger front, it increases with speed and at highway speeds in a left curve it gets even louder but not on a right curve. I have inspected the wheel bearings and they are both is good shape (I did re-pack them when I swapped front ends). The u-joint does not have any play or stiffness so I am lead to believe that it is the spindle needle bearing.

Thoughts.

Mike Draper · October 3, 2010

Just went thru something similar a couple months ago...my '94 had a noise that would come and go in the right front wheel, noise and vibration...then quiet again. It turned out that I had a bearing go bad in the hub, there is a torrington needle bearing in there that will protest if it runs dry,

must have made one too many creek crossings.

: It could be a spindle bearing, but the only time it would make noise is if the axle is turning (hub is locked or in 4wd)

damarble · October 3, 2010

I've got a 91 with the same symptoms, I'll be watching to see what you find. I did hear a pop once while wheeling but it's not the u-joint.

Mike Draper · October 4, 2010

I took some pics when I tore down the hub, it's real simple to check...this is for a locking hub.
Remove hub, then on the inside, remove the snap-ring. I used a pair of snap-ring piers to grab the inside of the gear and wiggled it out of the hub bore.

There is a spiro lock retainer holding it together, carefully remove it.

The bearing will slide off the gear...

Here is the culprit responsible for all the noise and vibration.

Didn't do the gear much good either

I put a new bearing in it and kept it for a spare...

.

Willard · October 4, 2010

Unless you are either in 4x4 or your hubs are locked, the spindle bearing could not be a factor in what you are describing. The front drive system is stationary unless it is being used. Since the spindle isn't turning, it is not going to cause a vibration. For the same reason, the axle shaft u-joints aren't going to be the problem either.

My best guess for a front vibration is the wheel/tire itself. Easiest way to find out is to swap it with the back tire and see if the vibration moves with it.

Edit: According to the post above me, manual hubs could also be the culprit. If you have auto hubs though, that won't be the problem.

tuckman · October 4, 2010

I am going to go for a drive tomorrow with the hubs locked and see what it does. I will then tear into her further and see what I find.
I have been holding off doing new rotors for a while, maybe its time to do all the bearings when I do the brake job.

tuckman · October 4, 2010

Mike thanks for the pics!

tuckman · October 5, 2010

Mike,

What are the proper names for the gear and bearing you had pics of, I cannot seem to find it anywhere in my FSM.

Mike Draper · October 5, 2010

I couldn't find a break-down of the manual hub assembly, lots of info on the auto hubs. The bearing is a Torrington # B248.
Also...there is a thread here... http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232754
with some info on hubs. What did you find wrong with yours?

Spindle needle bearing

tuckman

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Mike Draper

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damarble

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Mike Draper

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Willard

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tuckman

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tuckman

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tuckman

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Mike Draper

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