Silly frontend question.

[Oregoon]

Driving home today, I noticed grabby brakes on my '66 Burb, accompanied by an intermittent chirping, which increases when I turn right. Said noise appears to be coming from my right front wheel, which when wiggled, has a little slop in it.

My ancient Chilton's Manual reccommends repacking and adjusting my bearings, which was my plan to begin with.

Though I have some of the parts for a disc conversion, I'm not there yet, and need the current configuration to get me through another month or so.

Anyone see anything wrong with simply snugging up the adjustment nut? Anything to look out for? Is this common? Any ideas what might've caused it to lossen up?


Thanks!

[502tripower]

Sounds like you have wheel bearing going. I would not drive the vehicle until you take the front hub off and inspect. Just tightening up the castle nut without inspecting the bearings could be very dangerous.

[Oregoon]

Having once lost the front wheel while driving a VW Bug, I agree completely.

[Oregoon]

Exciting update:

Installed new outer wheel bearing, tightened castle nut, and went for a spin. No noise, better braking, and minimal heat from the hub. I drove around for 15 minutes, and it's warm to the touch, but not what I would call hot. I can put my bare hand on it with no trouble. Seems a tad warmer than the driver's side (which I didn't mess with), but hopefully, not over-tightened. It spun freely before I put the wheel back on.

Sound right to you guys?


Just needs to get me through 'till the end of the term, when it's disc time.

[502tripower]

If your outer wheel bearing was bad and sloppy there is a good chance that the inner bearing could have damage as well. I would not assume everything is okay without inspecting the inner bearing. Also did you inspect the spindle itself. There could be damage there and the race on the outer bearing did you replace it as well or just replace the temkin bearing? You did pack the bearing didn't you?

[Oregoon]

Yep, bearing is packed, spindle looked clean--no nicks or grooves--and the new outer bearing slid on squarely.

Inner bearing felt okay, as far as I can tell. Not loose, or noisy. I packed it full, too.

[Oregoon]

Edge-of-the-seat update #2:

After a high-speed (see: 50 mph) extended tour of the Portland Metropolian area's modern freeway system, the hub in question remains marginally warmer than it's neighbor.

Probably gonna be okay...

[rss396]

I agree with 502 Tripower. If you did not replace the outer race along with the bearing it will not last long. Also the metal particals from the old bearing will cause the inner bearing to fail. Bearings are cheap. Tows are not.

[Oregoon]

So, I cleaned the hell out of the inner bearing with brake cleaner, and it looked spotless. Later, I found a receipt in the stack I got with the truck for new front bearings, and a new spindle. I'm operating on the assumption the crazy old guy I bought the truck off didn't tighten the castle nut correctly. The cotter pin was intact, and the nut took about a turn to seat the new bearing. I checked the driver's side too, and it's solid.

However, you guys are correct about that inner bearing. I should've replaced it anyway, but time was of the essence. I have a new one here and will pop it in over the weekend.

Been rolling for several days now, and all seems well. Also, Christmas break isn't long--and then it's discs and dropping time!

Oh, and for towing, I use AAA Insurance. Three free tows a year, complimentary jump starts and gas delivered for around $100 a year, for both my old truck and my wife's Mercedes.

[502tripower]

Originally Posted by Oregoon

So, I cleaned the hell out of the inner bearing with brake cleaner, and it looked spotless. Later, I found a receipt in the stack I got with the truck for new front bearings, and a new spindle. I'm operating on the assumption the crazy old guy I bought the truck off didn't tighten the castle nut correctly. The cotter pin was intact, and the nut took about a turn to seat the new bearing. I checked the driver's side too, and it's solid.

However, you guys are correct about that inner bearing. I should've replaced it anyway, but time was of the essence. I have a new one here and will pop it in over the weekend.

Been rolling for several days now, and all seems well. Also, Christmas break isn't long--and then it's discs and dropping time!

Oh, and for towing, I use AAA Insurance. Three free tows a year, complimentary jump starts and gas delivered for around $100 a year, for both my old truck and my wife's Mercedes.

As rss396 said If you just replaced the the bearing and not the race that is a NO NO. The bearing and the race come as matched set. As far as the towing and time goes that is of no concern. I would be concerned about your safty and the safty of others on the road. You are libel for your own negligence.

[Oregoon]

Originally Posted by 502tripower

As rss396 said If you just replaced the the bearing and not the race that is a NO NO. The bearing and the race come as matched set. As far as the towing and time goes that is of no concern. I would be concerned about your safty and the safty of others on the road. You are libel for your own negligence.

No worries. I did the race too.

However, I appreciate the help a ton! My screwy Chiltons manual led me to believe the bearings were adjustable, and simply in need of a repack. That struck me as odd...

[Oregoon]

Front end now done!

Decided to do both sides, and had my races pressed in at a local shop, and the bearings packed while they were at it, along with new grease seals. No screwing around with oversized sockets and ball peen hammers, or tired old pullers either! Usually, I'd just roll over to a buddy's shop, and borrow his press, but he's out of town for the weekend. No substitiute for the right tool...

Anyway, thanks for all your help, and cautions. Definitely a nicer-feeling front end now, and both hubs are nice and cool after a long drive.

[502tripower]