2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Wheel bearing question.

[GordonG]

Last Thursday I replaced my left front wheel bearing / hub assembly and lower ball joint. I still have the vibration and growl that I had with the badly worn parts. My steering wheel is now 20 to 25 degrees off center to the left, where it was 5 degrees or less before. The truck also pulls moderately to the right now. What did I do wrong?

 

[bmoeller]

I would've replaced both the upper and lower ball joints. No sense in pulling it apart to do the other one later. Not that expensive.

What kind of shape is the track bar in?

 

[GordonG]

Thanks, should have thought about that. What is the best way to check for play in upper ball joints? Track bar appears good as do tie rod ends. Replaced pitman arm last month.

 

[IanF]

No easy way that I've found... the "lift the wheel and rock" method doesn't seem to work very well... for me anyway... I lifted the wheel and placed a pry bar between the axle yoke and the spindle to put pressure on the ball joints... any visible play is too much...



Personally, the entire front end of my truck is a huge question mark... everything under there looks like it's been through WWIII... so when I fix it, EVERYTHING is getting replaced... ball joints, tie-rods, track bar... and at least the RF wheel bearing... Too many unknowns, the parts aren't terribly expensive and I'd rather only tear it apart once.

 

[6btsmoker]

i replaced almost everything in the front end of my truck. i wish i had known about the dyna-track bearing / locking hub kit. next time the bearings get loose i will upgrade to the dyna-track.

 

[MAllen]

I am wanting to rebuild everything, including tie rod ends, ball joints and anything else on my 2 wheel drive 98, Any suggestions for where to buy parts for that.

 

[tgordon]

For the front axle lock out kits you can go through Dyna-trac, or when I talked about it before, somebody mentioned going with these guys

OFFROAD 4x4 FABRICATION CUSTOM LIFT AXLE SWAP ALL OFFROAD PRODUCTS

He had used them and said they were great, and alot less money. Unfortunatly we are trying to pay down some bills before I go and order a set for my truck, even though I have one of my bearings going out right now.



Troy

 

[GordonG]

Thanks, guys. I'm on a lmited time and funds budget, so I will eventually replace everything just in time to start over again. I appreciate the input.