front wheel bearing seal and other non-standard parts

[2deuce]

I'm trying to figure out how my wheel bearings got rusty. It looks like maybe condensation. Anyone else experience this? Both bearings have light rust all the way around. The rubber part of the seal looks ok, but the metal is pitted/rusty. I think I'll have to leave the old seal in since I can't get it at napa. I need the truck and I see the seal is a non standard part.
Could we get a list (if there isn't one already)of the non-standard parts that we can't get at napa for the deuce that we commonly need like this seal?

 

[2deuce]

I should add that the brake drum and backing plate are like new. I don't see any evidence of water in there and the gasket under the hub flange was stuck really good. Thanks

 

[rlwm211]

The seals are readily available through several parts suppliers for the deuce and they are not that expensive. My guess on your bearings is that the truck sat after fording for a long time and the bearings were moist when parked. I would find it hard to believe the bearings are pitted, simply because they have a rusty tinge. I would pull the hub, and clean the bearings and then grease them as per the TM and see how smooth they are afterwards. If they are pitted, you will need to replace them as well.

If you NEED the truck right now, grease the bearings and put them in but run them a tad loose as opposed to snug. At the same time, order new ones immediately and know you have a repair project that will have an immediate requirement to be done as soon as time allows.

RL

 

[2deuce]

The truck hasn't been driven much. It had 8K miles on it when I got it. has about 9K now. Its a 1987 model and very clean. Its not a rebuild. I have some of the records for the truck, shows the AF started it every 3 to 4 months. I pulled the brake drums off and its clean in there. Wheel bearings are a different story, they are rough. You can see it and feel it, looks like condensation did it. The other side(wheel) is fine. The axle splines were rusty and made it difficult to remove the drive flange. The spindle has a few spots of discoloration but is ok. I have new bearings thru napa. I bought them before I took it apart because it was rough sounding when I spun the wheel and because of all the rust and gritty grease I found when I took off the drive flange. Maybe water got in the boot, but the seal that is rusty on the inside didn't let water past it. Since I need to put in the new bearings today, I can't replace that seal behind the inner bearing like I would like to since I would have to order it special. Thanks

 

[gringeltaube]

Yes, replace the bearings now and leave the seal in place since that is not the cause of the problem! Water is certainly coming in from the knuckle side, between spindle and axle shaft, probably due to a ripped or rotten boot!
You need to service that soon if you don't want to replace wheel bearings again!

G.

 

[2deuce]

I replaced the bearings today and cleaned all the old grease out. It didn't have any water or rust between the bearings in the hub. The rust was up high like condensation. I'm back to thinking that, that was the cause. The boot looks new and clean. The grease inside the spindle and on the axle inside the spindle looks clean too. I pulled some out with a small screwdriver. The only rust is on the end of the axle, bearings and on the inside of the seal. The rust was mostly on the top inside portion of the seal that was steel. The rust is very light more like etching. This doesn't sound like a problem that's seen much cause nobody else with it has responded.

 

[gringeltaube]

Well, everything you described still makes me think that somehow you got water inside the knuckle. You can check this by pulling one of the 4 bolts holding the lower kingpin sleave in place. See what comes out...

G.

 

[2deuce]

It may have I guess but it doesn't look like any passed thru the spindle along the axle shaft. I'll try those bolts when I get back from the trip.