Needle bearings (spindle bearing) LC 100 (1 Viewer)

[IceStorm]

I started to hear some noise from the left front wheel on my LC 100. Sounded just like the squeaking noise the brakes make (Sometimes) . After taking the wheel of and having a look at the break pads, disks and calipers I could not find the issue. So I took the caliper off the disk and rotated the hub. I could hear some odd noise and when I rotated the hub in the reverse direction it would stick just a little bit. So I put the wheel back on and pulled on the tire to see if the wheel bearing where shot. But the bearings seemed to be fine, at least there was no play that I could find. So now I started to think this might be the CV joint, so I pulled everything apart again and now I removed the hub and had a look at the bearings, they where fine, except I could see some rust around the end of the axle. So with the hub off and the CV joint now free to move inside the hosing I could hear that little bit of grinding noise. After some digging around on the internet I found that this could possibly be the needle bearing. So I removed the hub from the axle shaft and pulled the whole thing apart to find the needle bearing in shambles inside the shaft. So it appears that the bearing dries out over time and the seals wear out and water gets in to and then it´s game over. I replaced the bearing and busing behind it along with all the seals. Seems odd that this is not serviced and indeed is not serviceable. Does anyone here know if the dealers even lube this bearing during the maintenance. It was obvious that the wheel bearings had been taken care of but the needle bearings where not.

 

[IceStorm]

The pictures here are from the other side. I naturally did that one as well, the needle bearing there was still intact all tough it was rusty and there was no lube left around it.

 

[lhommec13]

I have a similar squeaking noise coming from my front DS wheel but I know it's not related to the brakes. Mine is only noticeable between 5-10mph, especially when I'm coming to a slow stop. Other than the noise, I've noticed no other symptoms of anything strange or mysterious.

Aside from the noise, did you notice anything else out of the ordinary on yours? What's dangers do you face if you hadn't done anything about it?

 

[TXLX100]

I haven't heard of that one yet. The wheel bearings are supposed to be repacked every 30k miles (or front brake job). How many miles on your truck?

 

[Sandroad]

Hmmmm......Isn't that what this Slee tool is for? If so, there's lots of threads on those needle bearings and methods to get grease to them at the required regular service interval.

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/products/products_grease_tool_detail.html

 

[IceStorm]

200k KM . I found the thread on the Slee tool here after I knew what the problem was I need to ask the dealer if they do this at all.

 

[IceStorm]

I have a similar squeaking noise coming from my front DS wheel but I know it's not related to the brakes. Mine is only noticeable between 5-10mph, especially when I'm coming to a slow stop. Other than the noise, I've noticed no other symptoms of anything strange or mysterious.

Aside from the noise, did you notice anything else out of the ordinary on yours? What's dangers do you face if you hadn't done anything about it?

The noise was really the only thing I did notice, and only when driving slowly. It wasn't until I took the wheel of and rotated the hub back and fourth without the caliper on that I could tell it was something other then the brakes. (Perhaps a small grinding noise) I´m not sure how much damage can be done by driving the car like this. I guess that if the bearing is broken apart like in my case it could damage the axle or the inside of the axle housing. But I found no damage on mine.

 

[lhommec13]

The noise was really the only thing I did notice, and only when driving slowly. It wasn't until I took the wheel of and rotated the hub back and fourth without the caliper on that I could tell it was something other then the brakes. (Perhaps a small grinding noise) I´m not sure how much damage can be done by driving the car like this. I guess that if the bearing is broken apart like in my case it could damage the axle or the inside of the axle housing. But I found no damage on mine.

Thanks for the response. I've never heard of the needle bearings before either. Might be a good idea to bring the truck in for a closer look. I just parked and the noise reminds me of a squealing pig where the volume and tone change with how fast the wheel is spinning. Still no symptoms otherwise, but I think I'll get it checked out in the coming weeks since I have more time during the summer months.

 

[IceStorm]

Thanks for the response. I've never heard of the needle bearings before either. Might be a good idea to bring the truck in for a closer look. I just parked and the noise reminds me of a squealing pig where the volume and tone change with how fast the wheel is spinning. Still no symptoms otherwise, but I think I'll get it checked out in the coming weeks since I have more time during the summer months.

Let us know how it turns out when you do. Always interesting to know what to look out for.

 

[uHu]

See e.g. this thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/wheel-bearing-inspection-items.802101/#post-9151084
...and others.

This (spindle bearing) must be the most neglected bearing on the 100. Check and grease it each time you repack the wheel bearings, and change the seal - as it is ingress of water that washes the grease out. It's really easy and fast to do.

When the needle bearing is fallen apart, the shaft will be supported by the brass bushing instead, and that will grind the shaft. Check that it is not worn too much so that the seal and bearing will not have a good fit.

 

[spressomon]

^ Glad you posted this uHu...lots of historical discussion and super useful 411 here including needle bearing coverage (I know you, uHu, fully understand this ).

FWIW with 220k miles and change on my rig I'm still on the original needle bearings. Regular PM work has paid dividends...so has using the search feature

 

[julioac]

hello, I had the same problem and following the first forum I tried to put lubricant. I followed the thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/wheel-bearing-inspection-items.802101/#post-9151084
and I changed spindle bearing, bought here (http://www.omniabearings.com/bearings/needle_bearings/), at the beginning I thought I had solved the problem.
after a while the noise is back and I do not know how to solve.
I fear that it may damage the engine.

are you successful? what brand did you use?
thank you

 

[uHu]

Welcome to the forum julioac.
I'm surprised that you found that needle bearing from a general bearing supplier, a very good find. I searched around half the globe for this bearing, and found it in a few manufacturers' catalogs, but with a note "Distributed only through TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation)". And the dealer needed 2 weeks to get it, from the supplier in Japan.
When changing the bearing, did you check the shaft to see that it was not worn? If the bearing was f'd, it would grind the axle shaft so that a new bearing would not sit right, possibly. Also, if severely worn, the seal area could be damaged as well.
On mine, I had to change the CV because the shaft was too shabby and scored.
The lubricant is specified as NLGI 1 grease. There isn't that much load on this bearing (depending of your driving style ), nor a high speed, so any grease would do. I suppose a more waterproof #1 grease would last longer, especially if you cross rivers and such.

 

[LonghornLX]

After working through the simplest problems first ( tires, wheel bearings etc) and consulting with LandCruiser specialists in my area with no luck, this post led me to my problem.

I had a noise emanating from the front passenger side while turning left. It sounded like driving over road strips or road imperfections with the wheel rotation. It was not a constant sound, meaning there was a pause or cycle to the sound.

I purchased all the bearings, seals, gaskets needed to complete both sides online from Toyota of Dallas ( no delay in procuring the needle bearing).

Due to a timing of a trip I completed one side at a time; I started with the front passenger side because that is where the sounds came from.

It is not a difficult job but it helps to have the right tools before you begin ( I did not ) . A Pitman arm puller, slide hammer puller set and bearing/race driver. Yes, you can do this job without (hammer and a long screwdriver) but you risk scoring the inner walls of the front knuckle and losing hair/time in the process. Trust me, the needle bearing is deeply recessed in the front knuckle and is delicate if you use non standard tools to place/press it.

The factory passenger side needle bearing was not in bad shape and no obvious signs of dirt or grime but it was replaced and lubed generously ( used NLGI #2 , all I had at the time).

I took it for a test drive and CHEESE AND CRACKERS the sound did NOT disappear. Same side, same sound.

Well crap.

A week after my vacation I tore into the front drivers side since I had purchased the parts. I had no hope that it would SOLVE my problem as the sound was not from this side of the vehicle or while turning right (which others haver complained about)

Once I removed the knuckle I saw no gasket failure but did see grime (dirt/grease) in the bearing. What what what ? There was no obvious axle damage or scoring (the sound is relatively new (found within 500 Miles))

After replacing the bearing and buttoning her up, I went for the test drive.

Eureka ! The noise while turning was gone !

Things to know (why I am reviving an old thread) :

1. This is an expensive problem to diagnose if you pay someone hourly to find it.
2. It is not impossible job if you are moderately capable.
3. Use all safety best practices while hoisting the front end up.
4. Autozone (for those in the US) lends (with 100% refundable deposit) you most of the tools you need without having to purchase them for periodic use.
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY:

• Locating the sound from the within the cabin while driving DOES NOT help you locate this problem.
• Turning a particular direction to produce the sound DOES NOT help you determine the side of fault.

 

[2001LC]

I changed both knuckle & front drive shaft seals (Dust Covers) that protect the knuckle bearing & bushing area. In addition to new thicker (2.6mm) snap rings.

I found both front drive shaft (axle) outboard Dust Cover Seals damage while servicing bearings & bushing. I found a part # for a dust cover from a Tacoma, which my local parts guy order. I appears to be a perfect fit, although it did not match the dust cover seals that came out. The seals that came out were on an after market front drive shafts, so I have no idea if they're OEM. But this was the only option I could find other than buying new drive shaft just to get a $20 seal.

During inspection found large lip of Dust Cover seal ripped off. Some of this rubber material was getting ground into bushing.

Toyota Part # 90304-A0001

Crude measurements.

Removal & Cleaning prep pre install of new Dust cover.

New seals are packed with a black grease, blue is Marine grease & red is Mobile 1 wheel bearing grease.

 

[LonghornLX]

Here is the part number and source of my oil seal for reference. This probably isn't the cheapest source but it removed the parts-counter folks that have ordered my parts incorrectly in the past.

OIL SEAL for 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser|90316-A0001

 

[2001LC]

Locally, I paid a little more but no shipping cost, $27.33 plus tax for that 90316- oil seal, $22 for the 90304-dust cover.