Front wheel bearing play

[celsoglima]

I have a good amount on play on both front wheels on my 2WD Ranger, and I identified the source as being the wheel bearings. I haven't taken the truck apart yet, so I would like run this through you guys before I do so.

Assuming the bearings are still in one piece and don't fall part once I take them off, is this something I can fix by just repacking the bearings with new grease and tightening the castle nut further in to the spindle axle? Or do they have to be replaced when they develop any level of play?

 

[pwtsvwt]

The old time tapered roller bearing wheel bearings should be okay with a repack and adjust. If memory serves (with disk brakes) you leave the bearing snug. That is, you tighten and loosen several times while spinning the wheel, and then leave them just barely snug.