Need some help on what to search for ...

When I was putting on the 'wheeling tires, I noticed the driver's side front wheel "rocks" when pushed at 12 and 6, but not at 9 and 3.

Balljoints? Wheel bearings? Tie rods?

 

If you are getting a loose feeling (like your lugnuts are loose), your bearings just need to be repacked. A bad ball joint would require a lot more pressure to notice the play (you'd need to pry up from underneath your tire with a bar).

Tie rod play would be at 9 and 3.

 

Correct - it rocks under hand pressure, kinda like the lug nuts were backed off.

 

Been there, done that many times. Repack the bearings.

 

Sorry to hijack, will Lithium based grease be good for this?

 

yep, i like using a moly grease myself. marine grease also works very well!

 

I finally found the instructions in the online FSM ... is this really something I should do myself or would it be worth it to pay someone? Looks like there's not a whole lot too it, but seems kinda finicky about drag and torques and stuff...

The truck has about 190k miles and I wheel pretty frequently. Would it be a good idea to just replace the bearings while I'm in there?

 

Definitely not, you need a good high temp wheel bearing grease. With disc brakes the hubs get hot and lithium or marine grease will melt and run out. Save those for areas that get lots of water but not much heat.

 

I used this write-up when I repacked mine. It's not that difficult. It also has instructions for replacing. To replace or not depends on how the bearings feel when you get them out. I don't think they are very expensive to buy, so if you have doubts about their condition you might want to put new ones in.

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/wheel_bearing.html

 

Going to (finally) repack the bearings tomorrow - any other last minute input?

 

36mm socket for the spindle nuts. Use Moly grease.

 

Ha Ha me too.. The last time my bearings were loose that retainer that holds the spindle nut in place decided to shed its tabs. I barely made it home.

 

2 1/4" works too. I got mine at Sears for about $22.

Brian

 

It's 2 1/8" and/or 54mm.

 

Don't forget to get new seals...

 

He said use Moly grease.... LOL - How fitting!

 

OK, I FINALLY found a brass punch, (Sears, local big hardware store, Advance, Autozone, Tractor Supply didn't have one or even any brass stock I could use) so I think I have everything:

2-1/8" socket + 3/4"-> 1/2" drive adapter
1/2" drive torque wrench
3/4" brass punch
Inner oil seal
inner bearing
inner race
outer bearing
grease

I forgot to get the spindle lockwasher. I'm going to see if anywhere has it in stock after work - the FSM says it's a nonreusable part, any thoughts?

Doesn't look like there is an outer seal - is that correct?

 

I've reused mine a couple of times. Don't know if it's smart though, but I haven't had any problems yet.

And as far as I remember, no outer seal. That part is sealed off with the ADD flange or your manual hubs.

 

Did it tonight, took 2.5 hrs, including having to go get the neighbor to help me bleed the brakes.

One little hint - clean ALL the grease out of the hub and you'll see little notches where you can get your brass punch in to knock the races out easier.

 

Sweet