Mission aborted, by now.
Got the wheels off and inspected brakes and knuckels. Rotors are still good, even surface, with little wear in thickness and still well within spec. So are the pads.
Knuckels have no play, neither in swiffel bearings nor wheel bearings. Looked worse from outside than it actually is.
Seals on the back at the knuckel balls do not let significant amount of grease go, and grease is not much diluted and by no means dripping yet. Diff oil shows traces of black MoS2 greas, though (I had an issue here over 1.5 years ago, but apparently got that fixed by cleaning the diff breather. No issues since).
No obvious need to digg into this right now. Don't fix what's not broken...
But here are some question:
At what intervals would I need to take it apart for in-depth inspection and maintenance?
The truck is with me for 2 years now / 12000km. No idea what the PO did.
Are there any telltales indicating the bearings or bushes are about to die?
Is periodic re-greasing through the filler hole enough of a maintenance?
I thought I would do the knuckle job once either the seal fails and oil-greas significantly leaks out, or the rotors need replacement, or anything breaks / gives issues. Is that a good plan?
Thanks for advice Ralf
Hello,
Regarding your questions,
- In-depth inspection and maintenance are recommended every 40000 km / 25000 mi. Inspect and replace/repair as needed, according to the manual. 70 Series Land Cruisers follow the "multiples of 40" rule, i. e., major in-depth maintenance and transmission/transfer/differential oil change (the manual says "inspection," but better safe than sorry.) every 40000 km. I think the time between major maintenances under severe operation conditions is 20000 km, but I am not sure.
- If the PO used big tires and/or spacers, chances are your axles need maintenance/repair.
- If you take apart the hubs and there is oil, chances are your seals need replacement. Usually, the bearings need replacement as well. Wide (12.5 in. or greater) tires and spacers wreak havoc on seals. Worn bearings cause tires to wobble when they are suspended in the air and you push them.
- Yes, it is. It is also a stopgap until you have the time and/or resources to replace seals, bearings and axles.
- Yes, it is. Front axle rotors are the first to give up the ghost in old age (ask me how I know.) Seals and bearings follow. If you find oil during the knuckle job, take the hub apart (you are in the neighborhood already) and check for oil contamination in the grease.
Hope this helps.
Juan
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