Bearing & Spindle Damage (?) Real-Time Help Needed

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fumetsu

fumetsu

10 Year
Joined
May 16, 2012
Threads
31
Messages
106
Location
Michigan
Hey guys, I was tearing apart the rig today to rectify some noise issues going on from the front passenger front axle. After taking out the hub and the rotor, I found deep grooves in the spindle. I was getting audible and palpable "wub-wub-wub" noises that I made a thread about before, and the wheel bearings seem to be the culprits. Could you guys take a look at this spindle and tell me if it needs to be replaced?

OOD002T.jpg
 
The groove in the second "tier" is the deepest, just to clarify. Also, the entire steering knuckle needs to be replaced if the spindle needs replacement, right?
 
One more for clarification:
fBENzOt.jpg


Red circles are where the grooves are scored into.
 
because thats not a surface that sees rotation, as long as the bearing fits snug i would still run it.

Run some high grit sand paper over the surface lightly just to clean up the junk, take the bearing and press it on by hand and make sure it grabs the way it should.

The Groove may have been from the old bearing wearing out and spinning. If it machined itself too small you just have to replace it.
 
Thanks for all the help guys. The outer bearing had damage on three of the rollers, as the pictures show. However, the inner bearing did not have any noticeable damage on it, but the race did have some roller marks. The race feels completely smooth to the touch, but is the scarring something that I should be worried about? Should I just go ahead an replace them both? Also, what solvent do you guys recommend to clean bearings?

Outer bearing:
wqggtba.jpg

W5IoGDK.jpg


Inner race:
6Q587B8.jpg


Could the damage on the few rollers be enough to have caused that "wur-wur-wur" noise while driving the vehicle? Thanks guys!
 
Those rollers in the bearing race look to be in terrible shape. They caused the noise. Don't bother cleaning them, just replace them both. There is a lot of old grease/dirt thrown around on the hub just outside where the oil seal sits. That's been leaking for while and dirt/water probably damaged both bearings. Check the oil seal seating surface very carefully for damage. If it's rough, the new seal will wear out fast and you'll be doing this all over again soon.
 
Sandroad said:
Those rollers in the bearing race look to be in terrible shape. They caused the noise. Don't bother cleaning them, just replace them both. There is a lot of old grease/dirt thrown around on the hub just outside where the oil seal sits. That's been leaking for while and dirt/water probably damaged both bearings. Check the oil seal seating surface very carefully for damage. If it's rough, the new seal will wear out fast and you'll be doing this all over again soon.
Click to expand...

Hey thanks for the help folks. Really appreciate it. Are you talking about the dust shield in terms of the damage? Or the region around the spindle?
 
2002LX470 said:
Hey thanks for the help folks. Really appreciate it. Are you talking about the dust shield in terms of the damage? Or the region around the spindle?
Click to expand...
There are two seals:
The Inner Hub Seal, which should be changed (nearly) each time you open the hub. When the bearings are worn a bit, the inner hub seal will experience a bit radial movement, and wear faster. Goes on the innermost, biggest part of the spindle.
The larger Dust Cover Seal, which in your pic is worn to pieces.

Suggest that in addition to changing both bearings and both seals, you also change the two washers holding the the hub adjustement nuts in place, and make sure the little tongue on the inside of each of the washers looks strong and big enough. I've seen a bit of lack of QC from t0yota here.
 
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And don't forget to inspect the spindle needle bearing for condition. Ditto for adequate grease before reassembly.
 
Thanks for the help guys. Wonderful board we have here. One more question:
While trying to take off all of the rusted brake pad components, I found that the guide pin just wouldn't budge. One I got out after a prolonged uphill battle, but the other I sawed off one half but the other half wouldn't come out. Any tips or advice on getting this mess out?

6AiJedF.jpg

TENy2vD.jpg


How should I be tackling trying to get these rusted components off?
 
One last question: the part on the spindle where the outer bearing sits is kind of rough, as the pictures show. Will I be okay just sanding this with fine sandpaper?

F87uO3O.png
 
I don't like the look of your spindle (ok, your cruiser's spindle:o). Looks like it has been overheated. The bearings have to fit snugly so that they don't move. The diameters have to have certain specified minimum measures - I have looked in the FSM but not found such specs.
Might be better to source a second hand part in good condition.

Discaimer: I do not have much experience with worn front hub spindles or damaged bearings, only what I have seen on my cruisers, although I do have basic machinist/mechanic training.


Looks like the guide pin has to be drilled out. When fitting new ones, use ceramic grease on all the brake components. Better than copper. You get it in spray-cans, easy to apply and lasts a long time. Is not washed off by salt spray or water. My pins are still finger-movable one year after. Use it at the back and sides of the pads and on the pins. Also excellent for the rear brakes and the bellcrank for the handbrake.
 
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I'm with uHu on the fact that your spindles are shot. Once the bearing have spun like that the chances of new bearings doing the same in short order are high. Sanding the burrs off these spindles only makes that more likely by further reducing the press fit pressure on the inner race. New or good used steering knuckles are the way to go if you don't want to be doing this again sooner than you'd like. As others have said, your inner and outer seals are shot and need to be replaced as well. Look carefully at the inner bronze needle bearing as well. Its possible that it took a beating from all the movement as the outer bearings failed. Its not a big deal to take the knuckles off. I did mine on the pad outside my garage when replacing the front drive shafts.
 
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Wow the guide pin stuck on that caliper just won't budge. I'm at the point of giving up and buying a new caliper. Any recommended places to purchase a re-manufactured caliper?
 
Drill. You're not the first one.
 
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