front hub smoking.

[slaytonfab]

Ok so I have my M35a2 sitting for about a month. I finally had some free time to go cruise the country roads. As I started driving I noticed it seems to be under power and harder to steer than usual (ran perfectly fine last time I drove it). Once I drove about 10 miles I came to a stop and saw smoke coming from the driver front hub. I got down to take a closer look and saw oil/grease leaking form the hub as well as massive amount of smoke and hot temps coming from the hub. It is acting like the wheel is binding up and hard for the wheel to turn making it seem under powered and harder to steer. I have not had the time to take it all apart and see what all is going on yet. Hopefully I will have time this weekend. But has any had this happen to them? Is there anything I should be sure to look for? Please help me out. When I get time to tinker with it I will take pics and give more info. Thanks

 

[Big Z]

Wheel bearing is out. Jack it up and push/pull the top of the tire towards/away from the center of the truck. There should be very little play, but I'm betting you'll have a bunch; as well as noticeable drag and gritty noise when you spin it.

 

[slaytonfab]

Thanks Big Z. I will have to check that out. Do you or anyone else know a good place to buy parts? any recommendations?

 

[Warthog]

Bad bearing. Watch out for over temping the tire. The heat will blow it out.

Memphis Equipment
Erik's Surplus
TJ Murray
Boyce Equipment
White Owl
and many others

 

[RAYZER]

I recommend 2nd on the list.

 

[m715mike]

Howdy!

I'm getting off topic, but welcome to the site. A few of us are meeting at Magnolia Diner off of Hwy 105 Saturday morning at 08:00. You are welcome to join us. There are more details here:

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?119799-Greater-Houston-area-Events/page3

 

[runk]

Erik's for parts.
Or NAPA or a bearing supplier may have some of the parts.
Here are some useful threads. Since you have to open up the hub, it's a good idea to do a general maintenance while you are in there.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?8460-Front-axle-seals-and-boots-stepXstep

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?13109-shopping-list-for-front-axle-rehab

Oh, and welcome !

 

[Flyingvan911]

Your chewed up a bearing, badly. A friend of mine had that happen to his outer wheel bearing. It was ground up and spit out.

 

[Coffey1]

If it got that hot your bearing is likely welded itself to spindle.

 

[wilfreeman]

Exact same thing happened to my passenger front side in March - same length of drive too. Got a replacement Timken from O'reilly(don't remember the number - they just looked up the number on the old one).

 

[porkysplace]

I am pretty sure this TM covers wheel bearings TM9-2320-209-20-3-2.pdf

 

[gimpyrobb]

No way to tell till you take it apart and inspect. Sure it could be a wheel bearing, could be bad brakes too. I've had both heat up a hub.

 

[rustystud]

I was going to say brakes too, but "gimpyrobb" beat me to it ! Of course after heating it up that badly you should replace the bearings anyway.