Low speed wobble

[rono]

Started yesterday, when making a slow (less than 20 mph) right turn, there was a hard wobble in the steering. Seemed to be coming from the right side, but hard to tell. Once on a 90* curve and then turning into a parking lot. Has only done it when turning right.



Looked underneath and could see anything loose. Could this be the start of the DW?



Thanks.

 

[JFought]

no DW is a higher speed thing.
you either have a frt binding u joint, or a bad frt wheel bearing

 

[rono]

JFought, thanks for the reply. How do I check to see what's bad, and can the wheel bearings be replaced or have to replace the whole hub assy. ?

 

[Motorhead]

Jack one side up at a time and grab the wheel and see how much wobble you have. Make sure that you look at the backside and see if it comes from the hub bearing or ball joints.
The hubs aren't meant to rebuild. You replace the whole hub assy. To see if it is a U joint, look for rust dust around where the u joint cups are. Also grab and hold the inner axle and have someone rotate the wheel back and forth slightly. Look for slop in the joint.

 

[rono]

Motorhead, thanks for the reply on how to check. I'll do that and get back.

 

[HOBrian]

If the steering wheel "ticks" like a clock when it returns to center, it's a bad axle u-joint.

 

[pjorlando]

Sounds like a bad front axle U-Joint.

 

[Motorhead]

Now is the time to consider a free spin hub kit.

 

[rscurtis]

Yes. You're going to have it apart anyway. If you plan to keep the truck, it's a no brainer.

 

[rono]

What's the free spin hub kit and where do you get one?

 

[HOBrian]

What's the free spin hub kit and where do you get one?

Here...

Dynatrac - Confidence to Explore®

 

[rono]

Who makes that best u-joints? The ones a NAPA look good, and are greaseable.

 

[jhenderson]

Be careful of NAPA u joints. They list a 464 as the joint for my front axle. WRONG! The joint fits, BUT, the lock ring grooves are to far outboard, and the locks can't be inserted. I went to a drive line shop and purchased NEAPCO 3-0485 joints. They fit perfectly. By the way, NAPA crosses the NEAPCO number directly to their 464 which doesn't fit.

 

[rono]

Ok, Neapco seems the way to go on the u-joints, what about the hubs? Are NAPA hubs ok or should I go with another brand. I'm not a fan of NAPA, they have them in stock and have sold 7 so far this year and have not had any problems with them that know of.



If there is another brand that is better, thats the way I want to go.



I found a shop that will replace the u-joints for $180, and the hubs while they are there for no more cost since the old ones will be off anyway.

 

[rscurtis]

Be careful of NAPA u joints. They list a 464 as the joint for my front axle. WRONG! The joint fits, BUT, the lock ring grooves are to far outboard, and the locks can't be inserted. I went to a drive line shop and purchased NEAPCO 3-0485 joints. They fit perfectly. By the way, NAPA crosses the NEAPCO number directly to their 464 which doesn't fit.

Interesting. I put 464's in my truck with no issues at all.

 

[jhenderson]

Maybe I just got 2 out of a bad batch, but both of them had lock ring grooves that were approx . 100 to far outboard. That is measured against the NEAPCO joint that fit.