Hub Assembly Replacement

[obxcape]

Had a front hub assembly replaced on a 1999 Mountaineer, AWD, and now, when turning, I'm getting an awful shake from the front end. It only happens when turning! The mechanic said it will go away.....but I'm not so sure!

Need I be concerned with this?

Thanks!

 

[1Aauto]

You may want to make sure everything is torqued down correctly. It should not shake.

 

[bwheeler73]

Air in the power steering system will do that

 

[Hambone101]

I would double check the torque on the three bolts holding in the hub to the spindle, as well as the axle nut. I did one on my x and have done multiple wheel bearings (both bolt in and pressed in) and none have shook after install.

Jack up the wheel you want to check the wheel bearing on. Once the wheel is free, grab hold of the tire at the 12 and 6 o-clock positions and do a push pull trying to rock the wheel on the hub. It should not move, if it does double check all nuts/bolts that may have been removed for proper torque.

 

[koda2000]

most likely the mechanic turned the wheels by hand with the engine off and introduced air into the power steering system (very common to have happen after performing front- end work). turn the steering wheel from lock to lock multiple times to purge the air out.

 

[Hambone101]

Unless the mechanic drained the p/s system I doubt that air would be introduced into the system by turning the wheel by hand, not saying it's impossible just it never happened to me in the hundreds of cars I've worked on.

On another note, I just had a GMC Yukon that developed a shaky steering while making parking lot maneuvers (turning while slowly moving) but not when at driving speeds. Turns out it was a valve in the pump that went bad. Replaced the pump and the problem went away. Just food for thought.

 

[koda2000]

Unless the mechanic drained the p/s system I doubt that air would be introduced into the system by turning the wheel by hand, not saying it's impossible just it never happened to me in the hundreds of cars I've worked on.

well, it happens on Fords.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Just to be safe, purge the air out. Dont want to start loosening bolts until you know its not just air in the system.

 

[CDW6212R]

most likely the mechanic turned the wheels by hand with the engine off and introduced air into the power steering system (very common to have happen after performing front- end work). turn the steering wheel from lock to lock multiple times to purge the air out.

That's a better guess than it coming from the hub area. Air in the PS can make a bad shake of the steering parts.

If they did turn the wheel with the engine off, it would push fluid out, and then they would have refilled the reservoir, possibly without purging the air. I'd check the PS fluid level, and turn the wheel several times lock to lock.

Other than the PS, it would take some serious loosened parts in the suspension to create shaking as described while turning. Check it all over of course.

 

[drdoom]

Air in power steering. Ten second fix.

 

[Dave 1955]

x2

 

[intelisevil]

Definitely air in the power steering. Same thing happened when I did my hub assemblies a while back.

On my test drive I took a slight curve in the road at 55 mph (legal speed) and almost pooped my pants because the steering wheel was ripped out of my hands so violently. Fortunately I had read the how to on this wonderful forum and I knew exactly what was happening.

I stopped on the gravel at the edge of the highway (still shaking hard until about 10 mph, the steering wheel and me!) and slowly turned lock to lock about six times. Problem solved.

Good Luck,
Dan