hollandhunter

My 89 sr5 ext cab 3.0 has a pretty good vibration and roar while driving down the rd. Its got 31 10 15s on it and the passenger side tire is wearing alot quicker then all the others. What could cause this. It looks like a low inflation wear but it doesnt not loose air. I have checked it and like i said it vivbrates an roars a lil more then it should. An also it seems the front 4x4 drive shaft is roaring as well in 2wd while driving down the road.. or atleast i think it is the 4x4 drive shaft roaring. A buddy said it sounds like its in 4x4 all the time but it isnt. What could this be. Im new to all this please be gentle ha.

92ehatch

i would assume you have already lifted the front end and checked for loose wheel bearings and ball joints?

the_supernerd

It might just need an alignment, but check you wheel bearings and ball joints as suggested by 92ehatch, but also check you your idler arm and all the rest of the steering linkage. It could also be a tire out of balance or a bent rim.

hollandhunter

I have replaced the wheel bearings on both sides. But I think there is one already bad again. What makes them go out so quick. The last time I did it was like last summer and i think it is already time to change them again atleast the outer ones. I also replaced one of the ball joints last summer. But maybe the other is bad now. Thanks for the comments. I will check the wheel bearings and ball joints soon as weather breaks a little. How do you check the idler arm?

the_supernerd

To check the idler arm, shake the passenger side tire while looking at idler arm. If you see any play on either of the joints, then it is bad. If that ball joint appears to be good, but the frame side has play, the you can put new bushings in it for a lot cheaper. There are some write-ups on here about that.

As far as the wheel bearings go, make sure you are packing them with grease, not just smearing some on them. Always replace the races with the bearings, and I would not use cheap, no-name parts (just like anything). Be careful of over-tightening the bearings as that will overheat and ruin them. Aftermarket rims that have a large offset are also hard on bearings, but they should last more than a few months anyway, so I doubt that is your problem.

hollandhunter

It was the idler arm. I bought a new one and put it on and it made a world of difference. Now im putting a new powersteering gearbox on it. I also think the pump may need to replaced too. If so will i need to align my truck after replacing these things. Thanks in advance