Wheel bearings issue maybe??

[doonze]

So, as I'm out and about working on the truck today I was using my 2 1/4 ton floor jack to help me with the exhaust. I've only ever used it on cars before, so I decided to make sure it had enough reach to get my trucks tires off the ground. Well at least on the front that won't be a problem I discovered, however while I had the tire off the ground decided to give it a spin....

It moved the whole of about 4 inches after I let it go and stopped....Hmmmm.... It should spin more then that I'd think.... So I play around with it.....nope, there's drag there for sure.

So I jack the drives side tire up.... give it a spin, it spins at least 3 times around before stopping... feels like it has much less resistance. I yank around on the tire too, to see if I get any movement of the wheel....none. Lower that side back down.

Jack back up the passenger side.... Moved better, spins at least 1 time around now, then I start yanking on it...there's a bit of movement. If I yank on 12 O'clock or 6 O'Clock it moves slightly, 3 and 9 are ok. When I look on the inside doesn't seem anything in the linkages is moving, nor the knuckle. Just the wheel...

Could this be wheel bearings?? Any ideas what else if not?? Oh, and after yanking on it, the spin was back to a few inches after letting go. I know my breaks could be grabbing lightly, but if not that I'm looking for ideas. Never done wheel bearings, never had too.

 

[Tbars4]

....pull the tire and look for loose spindle nuts...This thread will answer your problem..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199915

 

[nitro71]

I suspect you are correct about wheel bearings. Unless your brakes are defect(grabbing) somehow it should spin fairly easily with very minimal play. Do you hear any grinding sound? If you decided to pull the rotor and inspect the bearings read on..

You'll need a few tools to pull the spindle nut and inspect the bearings. You'll need a spindle nut wrench. There is a different wrench for auto hubs and a different one for manual ones. Schucks stocks the correct one, a 2"3/8's 6R is the one for a 93 with auto hubs. You'll need a nice strong magnet. I broke apart a old hard drive to get one. A speaker magnet would probably work good to or? All you do is take the wheel off. Bang the clips outa the brake caliper and take it off. Wire it up out of the way or support it up outa the way. Pull the auto hub off. There's a clip on the spindle, pop it off with a needle nose pliers. Pull the round retainer piece off. Pull the plastic piece off with the springs on(you're gonna hate that piece later), take the thin shims off. Now take your magnet and work the key out of the spindle nut. You might have to jog the nut with your spindle wrench. After that take the nut off. Rotor should pull off spindle. Inspect your spindle. Inspect the bearings. You might have to clean them with gas in a pan to get them clean enough to see. Look for pitting, metal, check the races for the same. The inner bearing will be inside the seal so harder to see. If bad, replace race, bearing and probably the seal. Repack with grease. Force it into the bearing. Reassemble. That plastic part is a bear to get back on. Line it up with the key hold on the spindle and stretch it on. Some people will take the springs off with a spring tool or? and them put them on or stretch them as they put it on. Took me up to ten minutes or so to get them on the first time.. Don't forget the shims that go behind it.

Good luck hunting this down!

 

[doonze]

Took me up to ten minutes or so to get them on the first time..

Man, unless something takes me an hour i don't even bother worrying about it!! LOL

I've been known to STARE at a part for 10 mins before, without even lifting a wrench, I'm one of those that will do that, figure out exactly what I'm going to do, then get it done in 10 seconds. It drives people who work on cars with me crazy!

Course if my first attempt fails....I sit for another 10 mins formulating another plan...

That's when my help mostly decides it's time they get home for dinner!

Course that's just the first time, once I've figured out the "best" (aka MY) way, I'll have it in and out in a blink of an eye...