Wheel bearing explosion

[Deny]

Hi all,
I know this is not diesel or international related, but every time I post these questions on the regular 40 tech, I only get the guys off the international board responding. so here is my issue. On my long 15 hour trip, my wheel bearing exploded, and I pulled it apart (man, did it stink like burnt grease) and the outer bearing fell out in pieces. The inner bearing was fine, but the spinndle has a big grove in it and a melted lump, which we grinded off and put an old Ok bearing back on so we could go wheeling this weekend. how long is this good for? will it last for another 15hour trip home, so I can get a new spindle and new bearings on? just wondering, because the groving on the spindle, isn't the surface the bearing runs on, so it should be ok for a while no?
Thanks for your input,
Deny

[wesintl]

Is this the same side as your aisin hub issue?

Cruisers are meant to be beat on and get you home. I'm sure it'd be good for a while since it's not on the bearing surface but I'd replace the spindle as soon as it's feasable.

How did the bearing go.. To tight or too loose?

[Deny]

No it was the other side as the hub issue.

My plan was to regrease the bearings when I got home in september, as I have no place to work on it up in Fort St John (fellow apartment people are already pissed at me for all the times I have my truck apart there). Before my quick trip down, I noticed my wheel bearing on that side was loose, and when I took the hub off, water came out, and it looked crappy inside, I thought it would hold another month, I tightened it, but I guess the 30 hour highway trip just cooked the bearing, I put in a nice greased up one now, so it should be ok for the 15 hour trip down( I hope) when I can put in new bearings and a new spindle.

The swampers don't help, as I didn't hear anything but swamper howl on my trip!

[lowenbrau]

Originally Posted by Deny

will it last for another 15hour trip home, so I can get a new spindle and new bearings on? just wondering, because the groving on the spindle, isn't the surface the bearing runs on, so it should be ok for a while no?
Thanks for your input,
Deny

As long as the bearing seems to have gone on square it should be ok. If your precision grinding cases the bearing to be off centre or skewed, you'll likle be swapping again. I have a parcel heading up to Ratpuke, You want me to toss in a spindle? ( Actually she might have a spare)

[Deny]

Thanks for the offer Bruce,
I think I will take my chances, not drive the truck too much till I go back home in September, then keep checking the bearing tightness on the trip down, taking it slow. But if Charla has a spare, I might need to borrow it and keep it handy for the trip down for a just incase policy. Since I am not as rushed as the cruiser days weekend, if I blow it up, I can stop and change it out, but Iwould really like to wait to get it back home to the shop! Might as well take advantage of my dad's hoist, and the couple parts trucks we have at home.
Cheers,
Deny

[crushers]

now, i have not seen this happen but i would be cautious since you have heated the sspindle making it weak and since that is the case and that is were the load of the the truck sits on there is a possiblity of the spindle shearing off due to weakening of the metal...
i would suggest taking Bruce up on his offer and replace it as soon as possible...
cheers

[Deny]

Wayne,
I was hoping most would just tell me that cruisers are tough, and not to worry. I know it is bad, but I think the bearing had been bad for a quite a while, and it just finished off on the long 30 hour trip(on the 15 hour trip home, I did it non stop, not even for lunch). I put in a good used bearing, and the spindle seems fine, except for the grove, and the inner lock nut and washer were a bit bowed out, but we hammered the washer strait, and switched the two nuts, so the good one is on the inside, plus the inner bearing was still good. I think if I stop at each town on my way down jack it up, spin the tire, wiggle the tire to see if the bearing is loose, and touch the rim to see how hot it is getting, I should be able to make it no problem(fingers crossed). Has any one seen or heard of a spindle sheering off?

[cruiser_guy]

Hard to say without seeing how deep the groove is in the spindle. The spindles aren't exactly super thick anywhere. A deep groove can certainly cause significant weakening.
If you can run with smaller tires for the trip home you'll have less stress than with swampers thus having a better chance of making it.

[Eric Winkworth]

Like wayne said the metals property on the spindle has definitaly been changed from the heat, as much as it sucks, when you get home I would go over it throughly. I would bet money on you having no problems getting back, but what do I know really?

[silvercrusher]

I had a spindle once that had a groove worn into it from a loose wheel bearing. I reheated it and let it cool to try and get the crystal structure back from its work hardened state. Then i filed the groove because it had created a lip. Used a round chainsaw file to avoid flat spots. Worked great. That front end is still in operation. The bearing was not as badly screwed as what you have there but i bet you will be fine to get home. Maybe get the spindle and carry it with you just in case. That is what i would do. They are pretty easy to change. You drive a cruiser so of course you have all tools nedded to change W.H.Y. anywhere. RIGHT!!!!!

Cheers
Challis

[1FE pig]

Deny.Carry a spare and new bearings with you.Most common towed in brake downs are; Bearings then Cooling systems.If its hot in tank fuel pumps are next in line.I have emery clothed lots of spindles after melt downs.If the grove is causing the bearing to have clearince or slop it's junk.This will cause heat and failure when pulling the hills.Offset wheels and oversize tires add to this.Just borrow one so this won't happen.I haven't seen a cruiser brake one.But on minitrucks I have.
Rob

[Deny]

Thanks all for the advice,
I will baby it for sure, and put in a new spindle and bearings when I get home for sure too. I will bring extra bearings for the trip down as well, and of course I have all my tools that I own when I go on any trip that takes me out of town.
Cheers,
Deny

[Tapage]

drive with care, and take note always for the temp on this hub .. is in most of case notory warning of bearing failure.