Wobblewobblewobble

[E.T.]

Got a bit of a fearsome wobble on my front end- bearings are worn (a bit growly) but tight. When I go straight it wobbles least but if I steer either way the wobble is pretty bad. Was tolerable until I turned onto the interstate today, then it got worse- feels exactly like an unbalanced tyre but both were done earlier today. I have a ~200 mile trip tomorrow, is a.) something going to fall off or b.) the front end going to collapse and cause the truck to kill me?!??

 

[Mr. Alligator]

From your description, it does NOT sound safe to drive your vehicle ~200 miles before you get that issue addressed.

Unsafe for you, and everyone else.

Good,luck.

 

[drdoom]

Maybe you have some air in the power steering.

 

[E.T.]

It's bearings. Overheating and swelling up. Alarming but non-fatal. Is ANY 2004 Exploder truly safe?!?

 

[E.T.]

Maybe you have some air in the power steering.

Also checking this. The fluid is blaaaaack and overfilled.

 

[TechGuru]

Tie-rods tight?

 

[E.T.]

Tie-rods tight?

Yup

 

[E.T.]

I think the vicious wobble is to do with the knackered control arm mentioned in the other thread

 

[Drewmcg]

Failing front bearings are ususally noisy (growl-ly), and sometimes accompanied by an error light on dash for antilock brakes (due worn wheel sensor). I've had them fail VERY QUICKLY after these symptoms. I also had the second one fail on my '02 XLS only about 500 miles after the first one failed, at over 195k miles! I learned my lesson when I picked up a '10 XLT, and now have a replacement front wheel bearing/hub assembly (WJR Heavy Duty) siting on my parts shelf in the garage for when I need it!

 

[E.T.]

It's actually a pretty quiet growl in comparison with the rear left one that went- still, down to pick-a-part for a couple of front knuckles is the plan. The bearings are designed for about 250,000 miles as far as I can tell, so a lower mileage truck's should give me more life than I need in them. Tried using a slide hammer to remove one of the old ones.. Narp.

 

[E.T.]

It's actually a pretty quiet growl in comparison with the rear left one that went- still, down to pick-a-part for a couple of front knuckles is the plan. The bearings are designed for about 250,000 miles as far as I can tell, so a lower mileage truck's should give me more life than I need in them. Tried using a slide hammer to remove one of the old ones.. Narp.

Rear right, sorry.

 

[miker104]

It's actually a pretty quiet growl in comparison with the rear left one that went- still, down to pick-a-part for a couple of front knuckles is the plan. The bearings are designed for about 250,000 miles as far as I can tell, so a lower mileage truck's should give me more life than I need in them. Tried using a slide hammer to remove one of the old ones.. Narp.

This and a 10 pound sledgehammer gets out most bolted in wheel bearing assemblies

 

[E.T.]

That's a heck of a persuader!