Help with spindle change

[witchdoctor]

Last week I took my truck in to a mechanic because I had noticed my steering getting a little sloppy. I was thinking it was my tie rods, but it turned out to be the wheel bearings. The mechanic told me the driver's side was full of rust.

After having the bearings replaced, the mechanic told me he could not get the driver's side as snug as the passenger side. He attributed it to the rust buildup on the spindle; now that it was clean, there was a little play.

I noticed that I have a vibration now in that wheel, and it feels like that bearing is binding up (sometimes feels like the brakes are on). I took off the wheel to find that although the rotor does not move straight in and out, when you try to twist it from side to side it is noticeably loose.

So now I think a new spindle is the answer. I am going to try and do this myself, as I cannot afford to pay someone else. Suggestions anyone? As I have had these new bearings in for only a week, can I use the same set?

Thanks for the help.

 

[boominXplorer]

when it is moving in or out make sure the steering isn't moving. I thought the same thing and it ended up being the inner tie rods.

 

[witchdoctor]

when it is moving in or out make sure the steering isn't moving. I thought the same thing and it ended up being the inner tie rods.

I thought of that, that's why I checked the moving in and out by grabbing the rotor at top and bottom and not by the sides.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Dre]

what kind of mechanic would let something like this leave his shop? should of changed the spindle right there and then.

 

[witchdoctor]

what kind of mechanic would let something like this leave his shop? should of changed the spindle right there and then.

I couldn't agree more. Had I known before I sent my wife to pick it up, I would have insisted on it.

 

['97 V8]

get it changed immediatly and dont drive it. this was goin on with chris's truck yesterday and he blew the bearings and we were stuck on the side of the oraod. his rotor moved too.

you see this happend yesterday.

 

[witchdoctor]

Spindle replacement went fairly easily. I replaced the wheel bearings on the same side, and repacked and retorqued the other side. During disassembly I discovered the tie rod end on the same side was shot when I tried to remove the nut and the whole stem just spun around. Fortunately I was able to drive it out using a pittman puller and a closed end wrench on the nut. Since one tie rod end was shot I replaced the other side as well.

One hint to anyone that might be doing this...when reinstalling the ABS sensor, you might notice that it rubs on the sensor ring of the rotor. This is due to a tolerance issue on the flange of the mounting bolt, so I just used a washer between the sensor and the flange to shim it out about 1/16". No rub after that, and no sensor problems.

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice.

 

[INKUBUS]

my splindler its broken!!

ok my fabtech right with lift 3" ist broken in the freeway but are all safe, now i need replace the spindler but i not found any about that i planning put a normal spindler my question is, only i need change the spindler??
thanks