Hilux hilux front wheel play/movement

[jackboil]

Hey guys,
my 1988 LN106 hilux failed its warrant due to front wheel play.
the play was up and down on the wheel.
i thought it was wheel bearing play so i repacked them and properly adjusted the wheel bearing 54mm bolts.
there is no play when i move the brake rotor so it shouldnt be a bearing problem but there is still a bit of up and down play through the front swivel hub.
Any ideas what could be causing this?
Cheers

 

[pappy]

Steering knuckle bearings are shot.

 

[jackboil]

thanks for your help pappy,
would a loose steering knuckle (e.g. the 4 bolts above the steering knuckle that attach to the arm being loose) arm have an effect on the knuckle bearing?
also, can you replace the knuckle bearings by going through the 4 bolts under the steering knuckle arm and the bottom bearing cap or would you have to rebuild it fully?
cheers again

 

[Mudder]

Your best bet would be a full axle rebuild. It'd be easier then trying to get a new race in the top and bottom knuckle bearings.

 

[pappy]

Your best bet would be a full axle rebuild. It'd be easier then trying to get a new race in the top and bottom knuckle bearings.

This is the only way I know to do this. Remove the steering arm and bottom cap and pull that sucker off. Lots of kits out there, but I like the one from Marlin because of his axle seals. If you are going to fix this you might as well do it right. Plenty of direction online. If you haven't visited our FAQ page you might want to give it a browse.

 

[pappy]

thanks for your help pappy,
would a loose steering knuckle (e.g. the 4 bolts above the steering knuckle that attach to the arm being loose) arm have an effect on the knuckle bearing?

Yes. If your knuckle studs are loose it can mess things up since they hold the top cap on.

 

[jackboil]

Cheers for your help guys,
so with the movement i have not being the wheel bearings it is the inner knuckle bearings being stuffed or not sitting right due to the steering arm not being tight to the knuckle?
i will do a full axle rebuild if it is the bearings

 

[Jonathan_Ferguson]

I got the parts for this job from Don Kyatt - Terrain Tamer
From memory the part number for the kit is SH3
Don Kyatt Spare Parts - suppliers of 4WD four wheel drive replacement parts
Terrain Tamer 4WD Dedicated Stockists New Zealand

Because you haven't done this before it is much easier to buy the kit. As you already have a 54mm tool, there isn't really much more to it. The most dificult task is removing the Cone washers, getting everything clean and then keeping contaminants away during reassembly.

By searching this section of the forum you should find heaps of tips and pointers on this process.