Maybe an hour from catastrophic failure!!

[jerseyjeep2003]

OK, I started out by tearing into pinion bearing and seal replacement, as they were loose and leaking. No big deal. So I thought, my axle boots were split and oozing grease.....might as well take care that too, since I had a full kit to do all axle seals and boots. Started this afternoon with the drivers side. I took the brake drum off, the outer wheel bearing looked great, clean, even, light wear pattern.....no pits or flat spots, very usable still. But the inner!!!!! WOW!!! Never have seen a wheel bearing look sooo bad. It was completely rusted (sorry about the pic quality) to the point of not even being able to spin. It was just spinning on the hub shaft, good thing there was a little lubrication between the two.

I can only imagine what would have happened if that bearing would have seized to the hub at 55 MPH. Bye, bye 53" tire, wheel, brake and hub. And God help anyone that would be in the way. Like I said, not far from a catastrophe.

I will post up some pics of my tear down later tonight.

But, the moral of the story...Just because it feels like it drives OK, don't be so sure it is OK. Kids, do your PM as scheduled, not just "as needed" Fortunately I learned before somebody got seriously injured or killed. I hereby promise to never neglect any PM, no matter how insignificant, or time consuming it may seem.

 

[phil2968]

Always seems to be the fronts that burn out. I guess because no axle lube works into the bearings. My fronts where bad too. Glad you found it! I have bad pinions bearings also. Future project.

 

[Floridianson]

I have said it before and guess I will say it again. When you get a truck from GL take off all hubs front and rear inspect and repack you stuff.
If you bought from someone else hope you trust them if they said that all the trucks bearings have been serviced.

 

[phil2968]

I have said it before and guess I will say it again. When you get a truck from GL take off all hubs front and rear inspect and repack you stuff.
If you bought from someone else hope you trust them if they said that all the trucks bearings have been serviced.

Especially if they put it put it in mud and water before you got it!

 

[barefootin]

Although that is nasty, I've seen bearings where the cages cracked after they welded themselves fast. Good catch.... Reminds me that I need to pull my wheels and PM......

 

[jerseyjeep2003]

I have said it before and guess I will say it again. When you get a truck from GL take off all hubs front and rear inspect and repack you stuff.
If you bought from someone else hope you trust them if they said that all the trucks bearings have been serviced.

I purchased it from a SS fellow member. I trust his abilities as he also has a service garage. He assured me that he did a full PM on it when I bought it about a year ago. I probably put 3,000 miles on it since I got it. I have had it in some deep water a few times. But pressure washed it at least a dozen times. I did have the axle boots split at one point. Which is probably where the water got into it. They were the zipper kind. Silicon one pcs are going in now.

I am guessing the one on the passenger is just as bad. We'll see when I tear into that one next week.

 

[lawdog1623]

Im glad u found it brother. I was planning on chdcking my bearings today but i ended up changing out the cv axles and the front wheel bearings on a 2000 monte carlo.

 

[73m819]

Im glad u found it brother. I was planning on chdcking my bearings today but i ended up changing out the cv axles and the front wheel bearings on a 2000 monte carlo.

u is spelled YOU

FROM the SITE RULES
Do not post as if texting and do avoid the use of texting abbreviations. We are not the grammar police but we want everyone to easily read your post in at least 8th grade English.

 

[gringeltaube]

..............I did have the axle boots split at one point. Which is probably where the water got into it....

That would have affected the outer bearing first, not the inner; since normally water gets from the knuckle into the hub all the way through the spindle.
You probably need to inspect/ replace the hub seal, too - unless only the outer bearing has been replaced, 3K miles earlier...???

G.

 

[73m819]

If that bearing SPUN, you may have to replace the spindle, because a NEW bearing WILL be to loose of a fit

 

[jerseyjeep2003]

That would have affected the outer bearing first, not the inner; since normally water gets from the knuckle into the hub all the way through the spindle.
You probably nead to inspect/ replace the hub seal, too - unless only the outer bearing has been replaced, 3K miles earlier...???

G.

I would have thought that too, but, surprisingly enough, the outer looks like new. It is tight, clean and no wear at all.....hmmm, don't understand one and not the other.

I have a full axle seal and boot kit to finish installing. So far all of the seal surfaces on the shafts look great, only slight wear (maybe .002-.003) no sharp grooves, just kind of a smooth shallower area where the seal rides. A new seal will definitely take up that little bit of wear.

 

[jerseyjeep2003]

If that bearing SPUN, you may have to replace the spindle, because a NEW bearing WILL be to loose of a fit

Good thought, I will definitely mic it, to make sure the size is OK.

 

[jerseyjeep2003]

Left front axle done and back together, all looks well. I wound up having to rebuild the wheel cylinder as it started leaking when I squeezed it in to re-install shoes. No biggie, a quick honing and new internals and good to go. Now on to the right side.

 

[Warthog]

How about this bearing?

I was a fun drive a 52mph at 10:30pm at night.

 

[combat32]

Joe I would just clean that one up,use more grease!

 

[Motorcar]

I see from that photo you have one loose lug nut, fix the obvious first then move on to the more technical issues...

 

[Odyssey M]

had to...