- Thread starter
- #41
In what is hopefully the last chapter to this saga, I got everything put back together this weekend with the missing pieces replaced and using the proper lubricants. I think the total time for the job was about 14 hrs - not too bad for a first time DIY front axle service. A lot of time was spent wire brushing the nasty black silicone gasket maker off everything, especially nut and bolt threads.
I hadn't planned to deal with the wheel bearings since they had just been repacked. Surely any semi-competent mechanic can get that right, I thought. When I got the DS hub reassembled it stuck out just one or two mm too far to get the c-clip in place. So I pulled it back out and discovered that under a bunch of grease, the stupid mechanic had installed the inner wheel bearing seal backwards causing the spring to pop out and the rubber seal to fall apart. Fortunately I had a replacement seal on hand to put in properly. Argh! Never again will that guy touch my truck.
Anyway, the truck drives nicely now and is much quieter. Thanks to all for the help on this issue.
I hadn't planned to deal with the wheel bearings since they had just been repacked. Surely any semi-competent mechanic can get that right, I thought. When I got the DS hub reassembled it stuck out just one or two mm too far to get the c-clip in place. So I pulled it back out and discovered that under a bunch of grease, the stupid mechanic had installed the inner wheel bearing seal backwards causing the spring to pop out and the rubber seal to fall apart. Fortunately I had a replacement seal on hand to put in properly. Argh! Never again will that guy touch my truck.
Anyway, the truck drives nicely now and is much quieter. Thanks to all for the help on this issue.
