how to check/clean front wheel bearing for 98XLT

[cantspell]

Hello,
I went off roading last week, and was in some pretty deep water and sand and i'm now hearing noise from my right front, I'm pretty sure something's in there....
How do i check and clean the bearing...i'm not even sure how this area (front wheel bearings/spindle work), i do have the Haynes manual, but i cant' seem to find a good diagram of the 95+ 4x4....any help would be appreciated!
tHANKS!
Matt.

 

[taxx]

what kind of noise?

The bearing is all one sealed unit. You can pull the hub apart and clean up a few spots that sand might get in, bit project. Pull wheel, remove hub nut, remove breaks, remove dust sheild, remove hub, wipe out dirt and re-install.

What sort of noise is it? Try jacking it up and spinning the hweel by hand and listen to where it is coming from.

 

[cantspell]

it's a light griding sound, but it's very difficult to differenciate from the tire noise...but it seems to be getting louder.

Do these trucks (95+) have spindles? And what's the cost of this piece if it needs repairing?

I'll go lift it now and see if i can hear anything.

 

[tenikiwon]

Did you wash it yet? After my wheel'n trip even after 2hr drive home it sounded like crap. Washed it good and it was nice.

If you get the wheel off the ground then push/pull from top/bottom. If there is play, then it's shot.


I didn't have to remove the dust shield when I did mine. Also I pulled the hub out with the rotor and then beat the rotor off the hub. I have yet to successfully get my pass side rotor off.

 

[tenikiwon]

Prolly hub, maybe CV joints.

 

[taxx]

CVs usually pop when going bad. spindles not on 4x4. It is the CV shaft portion that goes through the hub assembly. You can get dirt/grit in the breaks and in the knuckle around the bearing. it usually washes off try a high pressure hose all around the wheel if not then if it bothers you that bad, you might have to tear it down and fix it.

 

[cantspell]

i washed it, not really any different, thgough i'm sure it is louder than it used to me. FOr the last week, right after my trip, i used my mom's car as she was away, and her bearings are also going. WHen i got back into my truck, i swear i'm hearing the same sound, and it seems to be louder than just tires noise.

I washed it and lifted it and spun the tire, there is a slight noise, btu i'm sure it's the same that i'm hearing only at higher speeds.

I'm going again this weekend, probally for the last time (gotta get some pics) and after that, i'll take off the wheels and clean as much as i can... so how and what exactly do i clean?

 

[cantspell]

well, I'm sure it's getting worse, and i know it's not tire noise, as it snowed today (can you believe that!). Is there any damage done my letting this go for a while??? I was planning on going off-roading again this sunday, and sort of wanted to change it after...

Also, how quickly can these things go bad, i mean it was working just fine before...can one off roading trip do it?? Midn you, i have about 180K km on the X..

 

[cantspell]

Well i first posted this thread when my driver side went, now, i swear it's there again!!!! Although last time i could tell for sure it was the left side, this time i'm not so sure...

However, the noise stops when i turn left, even slightly. However i think it has to do with the wieght transfere more than the direction of the tire.

Could this be the bearing again? If so, it's under warrantly, but are there any after market bearing assembly for these things? Coudl it have gone bad so soon? (It happened after a wheeling trip where i crossed a pretty deep trench, about 18in of water, maybe more)

 

[tenikiwon]

Could it be the other side?

 

[cantspell]

LOL, i know, it seems like that should be the case. But i can't really tell and when i unload the right side (so when i turn left) is when it stops? So go figure?

If it is the right, then that's good, as it's warranty work, if not, well then i have to get the other side done, which is fine, as it's at 180K and i"m sure will go soon.