87 toyota pickup. Mostly stock. Was in the front hub today and noticed this groove in the thrust washer, bearing side. It's probably between 1/32 & 1/16 deep. It's this typical? If not, what causes it? Everything else in the hub seems fine. No metal pieces anywhere, plenty of grease. See attached pic

Wheel bearing thrust washer 87 toyota

 

Looks like the inner race of the bearing it was up against rotated long and strong enough to cut the washer.

I'd look closely at that bearing, and turn the other side of that washer in on reassembly.

Is there any apparent wear on the spindle where that outer bearing lays???

 

I agree with millball. I'd take it apart and do some more investigating.

 

it looks to me as if the outer bearing was installed backwards, with the cage against the retainer rather than the cup. that score looks to match the width of the outer edge of the cage assembly, which of course is supposed to rotate, unlike the races.

 

Guess it's time for new bearings then. Yes, I flipped the thrust washer around when I put it back together.

Can the outer bearing even be installed backwards? How could it tighten up? If it is, it was the previous owner then.

Both sides showed the same groove. Granted, it's a beater with a heater truck, woods only no pavement, ever. I am hard on it. If it's the bearings it seems odd that there is no metal shrapnel and they all spin smooth as they should. Could it be that they are just worn out from use without failing at all?

 

it can be installed backwards. it's behind the thrust washer, and then you install the 54mm nut/washer/nut. i assume it was tightened initially, and immediately the cage started wearing that groove. who knows without seeing all the parts etc.?

 

I'll take a look at the installation and take pics. I reinstalled it the same as it came apart.

 

I don't see how a cone bearing could have been put in backwards and actually run. What "usually" happens is the bearings will spin on the spindle. Especially if they were left too loose. It will wear that washer which you can flip like you did. But, the spinning bearings can wear the spindle surfaces.

If it's not too bad, you can get away with proper adjustment, flip or replace the washer and run it. If it has a LOT of wear from being loose, there's no telling how long it will run. Just keep an eye on it. If it worries you, pull it all apart and inspect the spindle.

Good luck and please post up whatever you decide. Dead end threads suck.

 

Certainly. The races are not meant to spin. The outer race is driven into the hub. The inner race is/are actually the small inside diamter of the bearing. The rollers are the only part that should spin.

Can you spin the inner race of the outer bearing? Basically you can also have the same issues with the inner bearing. You may need to mic' it and compare to another spindle.
If it has been spinning, you will see scoring and heat damage to the spindle. BTW same concept applies to the rear bearing(s).

If those inside races are spinning on the spindle though, I'd think you would know pretty quickly. It will get hot as a torch from friction. I think myself that's why many a wheel bearing actually fail.
And that's always a very sad movie.

 

Hello all. Sorry for the delayed reply. Been busy with work. Anyways, after reading everyone's responses it seems the issue is in the bearings. I went ahead and ordered new timken bearings/races/ seals for both sides, inner and outer. Using my calipers I checked the outer inside race and the spindle. Only had a diff of .007. Not sure what it should be. I'll post back after I put the new bearings on with results.