79 1/2 ton 4x4 front wheel bearing problem? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RShaips · 08-08-2008, 10:44 AM

I just bought a 1979 1/2 Ton 4WD GMC. The front outer wheel bearing on the driver side is spinning on the spindle and makes lots of noise when it does. I replaced the bearing but evidentley the spindle is worn down too much and the problem still exists. Seems they made a bearing that had a little smaller I.D. than the stock size that could be used rather than replacing the complete spindle. Anybody know? Also this is just a truck that I am restoring and playing around with some, couldn't I just try to glue the inner race to the spindle somehow to keep it from spinning. I don't know why this wouldn't work for quite a while. I will only put 2-3,000 miles a year on it tops. Thanks for the help!

LONGHAIR · 08-08-2008, 02:03 PM

Wheel bearings are not something to "fiddle with" or "experiment on", it is a serious safety issue.
If the spindle is worn to the point of the bearing being that loose, I would definately replace it.

Sometimes "restoring" just means replacing worn out parts.

RShaips · 08-08-2008, 02:12 PM

It makes the noise rarely but I want to fix it. I am almost sure that there is a bearing made that can pick up the slack. Maybe not, but it would be a lot easier and cheaper to do that!

LONGHAIR · 08-08-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RShaips

It makes the noise rarely but I want to fix it. I am almost sure that there is a bearing made that can pick up the slack. Maybe not, but it would be a lot easier and cheaper to do that!

I don't see "safer" or "better" in there? It's not just you/your truck on the road....the drivers side is the one that is trying to loosen the locknut pack anyway, so any movement there is not good.

Even "IF" there is a bearing made like that (I'm not saying there is...I don't know) If there is, why would you think that your "worn" spindle was still round where that bearing is supposed to ride? If it spins in the spindle, the weight of the truck pushing down, wouldn't it wear more on the bottom? making the spindle "out of round"? Would a smaller bearing even fit? The diameter of the threaded portion of the spindle is the same as the outer bearing anyway, how could you get something "smaller" past that?

"Special/odd" parts like that are notoriously hard to get "on the road" too. If you would break down somewhere? what then?

A boneyard spindle shouldn't cost that much.

08-08-2008, 10:44 AM	#1
RShaips Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Augusta Missouri Posts: 804	79 1/2 ton 4x4 front wheel bearing problem? I just bought a 1979 1/2 Ton 4WD GMC. The front outer wheel bearing on the driver side is spinning on the spindle and makes lots of noise when it does. I replaced the bearing but evidentley the spindle is worn down too much and the problem still exists. Seems they made a bearing that had a little smaller I.D. than the stock size that could be used rather than replacing the complete spindle. Anybody know? Also this is just a truck that I am restoring and playing around with some, couldn't I just try to glue the inner race to the spindle somehow to keep it from spinning. I don't know why this wouldn't work for quite a while. I will only put 2-3,000 miles a year on it tops. Thanks for the help!

08-08-2008, 02:03 PM	#2
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: 79 1/2 ton 4x4 front wheel bearing problem? Wheel bearings are not something to "fiddle with" or "experiment on", it is a serious safety issue. If the spindle is worn to the point of the bearing being that loose, I would definately replace it. Sometimes "restoring" just means replacing worn out parts.

08-08-2008, 02:12 PM	#3
RShaips Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Augusta Missouri Posts: 804	Re: 79 1/2 ton 4x4 front wheel bearing problem? It makes the noise rarely but I want to fix it. I am almost sure that there is a bearing made that can pick up the slack. Maybe not, but it would be a lot easier and cheaper to do that!



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