1996 ranger 4x4 front wheel barings

[r9ball717]

I just picked up this 96 Ranger and the front end tires seamed to change pitch when driveing on the highway. Checked the front wheel bearings and found a little to much play.Pulled both sides off and found the one side adjusting nut spilt right on top of the key.Got new adj nuts and cleaned everything up and re-packed the bearings.When it came to setting the bearing I have a problem.ON the first try,set at 35 in lbs, back off 1/4 turn and got to 16 in lbs and set key.And their was to much play.Then I pulled the key and turned to the next slot on the nut and it seems to be a little to tight.
now if I could mill about .005 off the nut then maybe I could get the right setting LOL. I don't like the set up,to me the key spaceing in the nut should be closer. Any help out their. Thanks ----- When I set the bearing at 16 in lbs the key slot doesn't line up so I have to move the nut one way or the other and lose my 16 in lbs setting.

 

[r9ball717]

Help 96 ranger front wheel bearings

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I usually grease everything up, then turn the nut slowly with a ratchet or a breaker bar until it's just before getting snug. It sounds like the bearings are shot. The hub should turn, and not bounce around.

 

[Tbars4]

...welcome here...

...this is a link to a thread that has alot of info if you take the time and read thru it..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199915

 

[r9ball717]

Welcome to this forum! I usually grease everything up, then turn the nut slowly with a ratchet or a breaker bar until it's just before getting snug. It sounds like the bearings are shot. The hub should turn, and not bounce around.

The wheel hub turns find just a little tight for my likeing.The bearings feel ok and the races look ok.To me this is a piss pour setup and I think they only did this for that year.When I set the bearing at 16 in lbs the key slot doesn't line up so you have to turn the nut one way or the other for it to line up and the you lost you 16 in lb setting.

 

[RangerX]

Sounds like you have the auto hubs, but the general rule on the manual hubs is if the key doesn't quite line up, to always tighten, never loosen.

 

[r9ball717]

Sounds like you have the auto hubs, but the general rule on the manual hubs is if the key doesn't quite line up, to always tighten, never loosen.

Yes auto hubs, and did just that but like I said its to tight for my likeing.I think it's at about 8 fl lbs.I drove it to work today and took my tools along just in case. Made it to and fro. But I can hear the bearing and feel everything in the road and the pitch changes all the time.Got a set of bearing going to change one side and see how it works out.