Guyechka

I switched out axle shafts recently on my '85 front end. After maybe 150 miles, the passenger wheel was making a noise, so I pulled it apart. At first, I thought the outer wheel bearing was missing (how the hell did I manage that?), but it turned out that the remains of the bearing were nestled in the grease pocket between the races in the hub. The only thing I can figure out is that I didn't get the thing tightened enough (maybe some burrs on the spindle threads made me think it was tight?).

The outer bearing race doesn't look bad at all -- no pitting and just some minor scuffing. I'm going to check the spindle for damage tomorrow. Is there anything I should be on the lookout for as far as damage is concerned, or should I feel confident that some new bearings are going work fine? I just don't want to throw in a new bearing and have it get eaten.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

well you need to clean out the hub get all the grease and metal shaving out !!

Then repeat as needed .

you might also want to inspect the inner bearing as well.

If the bearing was not tight you should have had lots of play in the wheel when you checked before letting it down.

It should have been making noise long before it was that bad.

Might not have been fully seated on the spindle.



Did you forget the locking tab?

Forget to repack the bearing ?

just what did you torque the lock nut to??

Really not a good idea new bearings old race because they have a wear pattern.

People do it all the time I just don`t have that kinda luck

but your driving

Guyechka

I've run the hub through the parts washer once, and I plan on doing it again. It was amazing how many little metal bits were lodged in there!

When I'm tightening down the lock nut, I crank it down till tight then back it off a quarter turn. I had a star nut in there, too. It didn't look like anything had moved from when I set it. I'm beginning to think maybe that bearing was ancient and just ready to fail.

I've never put in a new race before, but they seem pretty cheap. I'll look into that.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

You never back off the lock nut!!!

The bearing preload is set by the first nut some people use a spring scale.

After all these years I can get it close by feel.

The locking tab bent over the inner nut the lock nut torqued a locking tab bent over the lock nut.

Guyechka

No, no! I mean I tighten down the first nut then back it off a little. After that, I put the star nut on and the second (locking) nut, which gets cranked down and no backing off.

I just bought Trail Gear's wheel bearing kit, and that comes with new races, so I'm covered there. But I wonder if I should look into getting a different spindle.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

well how does it look ???

Is there major scoring where the bearing collapsed ?? only you can tell.

Does it look like it really got hot??

If it will give you peace of mind instead of worrying the spindle is going to break next by all means get one.