Loose wheel bearing?

[PashRoot]

If you've seen my previous thread you'll notice that I'm having braking issues which at this point I've confirmed are due to ABS randomly triggering when stopping which likes to slightly pull to the right.

In my ongoing quest to figure out what the deal is, I again removed the left front wheel and checked for play. There's about a half inch or so of play when moving the wheel up & down, left right, etc.

I took the wheel off, tried to move the rotor a bit, still wobbling a bit. Removed the wheel bearing cap and tugged on it again. The center nut doesn't move at all but everything around it does? I also checked for movement in the back and couldn't find anything.

Does this indicate a loose wheel bearing? Could it be what's randomly triggering ABS?

Another issue I've experienced as of late (or at least since changing my front tires) is a random low frequency groaning/grinding sound coming from the front when driving around 35 mph.

 

[tenny]

yes, its more than likely a bad hub bearing....

and YES, it absolutely will cause abs issues, as the reluctor wheel
is inside the hub assembly. and any play will cause problems.

they aren't too bad to replace (if doing yourself).
after removing the brake assembly, you remove the axle nut,
the 3 bolts holding on the hub.....its usally stuck on there pretty good,
but WD40 and a big hammer works well...haha

if going to the repair shop..??? look to spend around $300 for hub replacement.

 

[jremington59]

You've got the 2 wd so you may be able to just replace the bearing.

 

[SoNic67]

Replace the hub before you drive it like that. You could loose the wheel at 75 mph and kill somebody.

 

[PashRoot]

Replace the hub before you drive it like that. You could loose the wheel at 75 mph and kill somebody.

I only drive it to work and back; it's a 2 mile trip and I never exceed 40. I haven't even taken it on the interstate since I bought it just to be on the safe side until these issues are corrected.

Anyway, I've got someone who'll probably fix it up for $100 plus parts. I'd do it myself but I'm generally not too good with repairing mechanical things like this and my tool set isn't great.

I hope (and pray) that after this is repaired, all these oddball issues will be gone.. at least until a new one shows up. I knew someone who drove around with bad/loose bearings for 1,000+ miles, heh.

Another issue I should have listed is a rather loud squeaking coming from the left front side when turning sharply above 10 mph. Sometimes it doesn't happen but most of the time it does. I hope it's related.

 

[lobo411]

I only drive it to work and back; it's a 2 mile trip and I never exceed 40.

Lucky thing you can't get in an accident unless you go over 40!

 

[IAmTodd]

Removed the wheel bearing cap and tugged on it again. The center nut doesn't move at all but everything around it does? I also checked for movement in the back and couldn't find anything.

The center bolt threads onto the spindle which is a part of the truck. If that wobbles easily you have a horribly bad ball joint.

You should be able to tighten up the center nut to reseat the bearings. However if you've been driving that way it's time to pick up a new set of Timken bearings. Make sure to follow the proper procedure when torquing them down and before you install them pack them with a quality grease.

 

[SoNic67]

I knew someone who drove around with bad/loose bearings for 1,000+ miles, heh.

I can see the dialog:
Judge: How do you plea for killing the child waiting in the neighborhood bus stop, with your car wheel, because you drove a car knowingly with a bad wheel bearing?
You: I knew someone who drove around with bad/loose bearings for 1,000+ miles, heh. So... not guilty.

 

[OffTrac]

Driving is a privilege and demands responsibility.

 

[tenny]

lmaoo...

you guys are funny..

first of all, you have a 97, ITS A NON SERVICABLE HUB BEARING.....
your wheel/tire is NOT "going to fly off", this is RIDICULOUS!!!!!

second of all, IF........AND A VERY BIG IF!!!, your wheel was at the point
of "FALLING OFF"..???? you would not be able to drive the truck...period.

I have been in the automotive repair business for the last 25 years, and have
never once ever seen or herd of "a wheel flying off" because of a bad hub
bearing.

everyone needs to get off the guys back.

hub bearings on these trucks (2nd and 3rd gen), are a very common failure.
and I replace these ALMOST on a weekly basis.

 

[IAmTodd]

lmaoo...

you guys are funny..

first of all, you have a 97, ITS A NON SERVICABLE HUB BEARING.....
your wheel/tire is NOT "going to fly off", this is RIDICULOUS!!!!!

second of all, IF........AND A VERY BIG IF!!!, your wheel was at the point
of "FALLING OFF"..???? you would not be able to drive the truck...period.

I have been in the automotive repair business for the last 25 years, and have
never once ever seen or herd of "a wheel flying off" because of a bad hub
bearing.

everyone needs to get off the guys back.

hub bearings on these trucks (2nd and 3rd gen), are a very common failure.
and I replace these ALMOST on a weekly basis.

And you've obviously never serviced a 2wd explorer in your later years else you'd know that is has a serviceable bearing setup on a spindle. It does not have the full sealed hub of the 4wds.

 

[tenny]

And you've obviously never serviced a 2wd explorer in your later years else you'd know that is has a serviceable bearing setup on a spindle. It does not have the full sealed hub of the 4wds.

lmaoo

UMM, yes it certainly does.....it is COMPLETELY sealed with a puck in the back.
with the abs completely sealed inside the hub. haha
and if you happen to take the WAYYY extra time to press the bearing out of
the hub, rather than just replacing the hub, its totally absurd, and a waste
of time and money. these trucks are just not fixed like that. im sorry

thanks for the laugh

 

[IAmTodd]

I don't think so.

 

[tenny]

I don't think so.

lmaoo

what year is YOUR TRUCK SIR...????

 

[IAmTodd]

That is from a sport trac that was retro fitted to a 99 sport.

 

[tenny]

That is from a sport trac that was retro fitted to a 99 sport.

RETROFITTED?????.....

haha

if you change the spindal to PRE2nd gen.....then you are correct..

you can make it anything you want at that point...

but a 1997 2wd explorer has a HUB BEARING.....!!!!!
and the "non serviceable" bearing is pressed into the hub.
not like the pic you have posted of some random spindle and bearings

 

[IAmTodd]

You make no sense and at this point, I'm going to stop feeding the troll.

 

[tenny]

You make no sense and at this point, I'm going to stop feeding the troll.

yea that would be a good idea,

youre making yourself look very bad.

 

[tenny]

to save face on this guy thread.....

I have looked into the truck in question. 1997 2wd

and there are 2nd gen serviceable bearings.
they went to 2wd front hubs in may of 98.

so you would be correct.

Im sorry for the misinformation.

 

[frickea86]

yea that would be a good idea,

youre making yourself look very bad.

Think someone should google first. This is a ford repair manual for a 95 to 2002 2wd wheel bearing.