How do I check wheel bearings
Mar 16, 2008 | 10:17 PM
#1
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 230
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From: Los Angeles
How do I check wheel bearings
I removed my axle shafts since I'm doing an elocker retro on my 3rd gen 4runner
So I have the shafts still in the backing plates. If I grab the shaft and shake the backing plate it wobbles a little bit, but I don't know how much would be too much. I do know that there was black goo in the passenger side brake drum.
I already purchased all new inner seals and o-rings. I have not purchased new bearings yet and would like to avoid the expense if unnecessary. My rig only has 78k miles on it
Any guidance is much appreciated.
So I have the shafts still in the backing plates. If I grab the shaft and shake the backing plate it wobbles a little bit, but I don't know how much would be too much. I do know that there was black goo in the passenger side brake drum.
I already purchased all new inner seals and o-rings. I have not purchased new bearings yet and would like to avoid the expense if unnecessary. My rig only has 78k miles on it
Any guidance is much appreciated.
Mar 17, 2008 | 06:52 AM
#2
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix, AZ
There are no exact specs in the FSM regarding how much is "too much" wobble. Mine wobble.
You'll need to replace your inner axle seals, and your brake shoes since your seal is leaking.
Regarding bearing inspection, this is direct from the FSM:
You'll need to replace your inner axle seals, and your brake shoes since your seal is leaking.
Regarding bearing inspection, this is direct from the FSM:
Bearing Whine
Bearing whine is a high-pitched sound similar to a whistle.
It is usually caused by malfunctioning pinion bearings. Pinion
bearings operate at drive shaft speed. Roller wheel bearings may whine
in a similar manner if they run completely dry of lubricant. Bearing
noise will occur at all driving speeds. This distinguishes it from
gear whine, which usually comes and goes as speed changes.
Bearing Rumble
Bearing rumble sounds like marbles being tumbled. It is
usually caused by a malfunctioning wheel bearing. The lower pitch is
because the wheel bearing turns at only about 1/3 of drive shaft
speed.
Chatter On Turns
This is a condition where the entire front or rear of vehicle
vibrates when vehicle is moving. The vibration is plainly felt as well
as heard. Extra differential thrust washers installed during axle
repair can cause a condition of partial lock-up that creates this
chatter.
Axle Shaft Noise
Axle shaft noise is similar to gear noise and pinion bearing
whine. Axle shaft bearing noise will normally distinguish itself from
gear noise by occurring in all driving modes (Drive, cruise, coast and
float), and will persist with transmission in Neutral while vehicle is
moving at problem speed.
If vehicle displays this noise condition, remove suspect
axle shafts, replace wheel seals and install a new set of bearings.
Re-evaluate vehicle for noise before removing any internal components.
I would also recommend picking up a FSM since anybody doing work on an older vehicle can benefit from having one. I paid about $14 for a cdrom on Ebay a few years ago.
Bearing whine is a high-pitched sound similar to a whistle.
It is usually caused by malfunctioning pinion bearings. Pinion
bearings operate at drive shaft speed. Roller wheel bearings may whine
in a similar manner if they run completely dry of lubricant. Bearing
noise will occur at all driving speeds. This distinguishes it from
gear whine, which usually comes and goes as speed changes.
Bearing Rumble
Bearing rumble sounds like marbles being tumbled. It is
usually caused by a malfunctioning wheel bearing. The lower pitch is
because the wheel bearing turns at only about 1/3 of drive shaft
speed.
Chatter On Turns
This is a condition where the entire front or rear of vehicle
vibrates when vehicle is moving. The vibration is plainly felt as well
as heard. Extra differential thrust washers installed during axle
repair can cause a condition of partial lock-up that creates this
chatter.
Axle Shaft Noise
Axle shaft noise is similar to gear noise and pinion bearing
whine. Axle shaft bearing noise will normally distinguish itself from
gear noise by occurring in all driving modes (Drive, cruise, coast and
float), and will persist with transmission in Neutral while vehicle is
moving at problem speed.
If vehicle displays this noise condition, remove suspect
axle shafts, replace wheel seals and install a new set of bearings.
Re-evaluate vehicle for noise before removing any internal components.
Aug 23, 2008 | 05:25 PM
#3
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 2
From: GA
hey 111db....I read your reply to this thread and got a lot of good information I really feel like I have the axle shaft problem on the rear of my 4runner...I have a grinding kinda noise in all driving gears I have put her on stands and got her up in speed and the grinding gets worse the faster I go even in N I have ruled out the D shaft and think it's in the rear bearings or carrier bearings in the chunk..I removed the rear tires and drums removed the D shaft and spun the hubs by hand holdong on to the studs and I feel a bumping with a noise on each side clock wise and counter clock wise.I cant feel any play in the bearings but the bumping kinda clicking will be louder the faster I turn the hubs.I also got under the 4runner and turned by hand the diff pinion flange and the gears in side the diff feel smooth but by turning the pinion flange it didn't turn the wheels at all but whan I put the drums and tires back on and the D shaft put her in Drive I can feel the whole 4runner shaking or vibrating i guess the faster I go the worse it gets
So in your opinion what do you think.....rear bearings OR carrier bearings OR something else in the diff
thanks for any help
So in your opinion what do you think.....rear bearings OR carrier bearings OR something else in the diff
thanks for any help
Aug 24, 2008 | 11:20 AM
#4
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: ontario
Odd that turning the pinion flange did not turn either wheel. It should turn ONE for sure. Spider gears fubared maybe. That might cause the grinding, and explain why turning the pinion doesn't turn a wheel.
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