midnight cruising gone bad.. front wheel bearings repair...

[SNLC]

That is one dirty looking CV!!

Make sure you tighten your wheel bearing down correctly, I think it is a very common mistake on a front end repair. On the Marlin website it states 18lbs of pulling force on the wheel for the bearings. Most people in the know...tighten, losen, tighten, losen, ect ect until you have 18lbs of pulling force to rotate the wheel. If not done right you will be opening that knuckle up again.

Since you wheel in mud/jungle type conditions. I would really look at doing the Longfield knuckle seal/wiper upgrade.

I did it recently and it is a super awesome upgrade. It is cheap, easy and seals that knuckle up unlike it has ever been sealed up before! It is so easy you don't have to tear the knuckle/axle down at all to install it. Unlike the stock seal/felt it is a split design so you can install while the knuckle is fully loaded. So far, after a complete outer front end rebuild with several upgrades....well, it is the best mod I have done to the outer axle! I would imagine a re-chrome of the axle ball would complement the seal very nicely. For me that was to much but the seal alone kicks some arse! Highly reccomend it!!

 

[dirtfriendly4x4]

That is one dirty looking CV!!

Make sure you tighten your wheel bearing down correctly, I think it is a very common mistake on a front end repair. On the Marlin website it states 18lbs of pulling force on the wheel for the bearings. Most people in the know...tighten, losen, tighten, losen, ect ect until you have 18lbs of pulling force to rotate the wheel. If not done right you will be opening that knuckle up again.

Since you wheel in mud/jungle type conditions. I would really look at doing the Longfield knuckle seal/wiper upgrade.

I did it recently and it is a super awesome upgrade. It is cheap, easy and seals that knuckle up unlike it has ever been sealed up before! It is so easy you don't have to tear the knuckle/axle down at all to install it. Unlike the stock seal/felt it is a split design so you can install while the knuckle is fully loaded. So far, after a complete outer front end rebuild with several upgrades....well, it is the best mod I have done to the outer axle! I would imagine a re-chrome of the axle ball would complement the seal very nicely. For me that was to much but the seal alone kicks some arse! Highly reccomend it!!

yep here mud silt mud is what we always wheel in. might look at the longfield knuckle seal/wiper upgrade.

thanks!

 

[kalais6]

one day i might go to australia again.. as my mother in law migrated there in cairns. btw i added you as my friend at the profile..

She picked a nice spot to move to then!

 

[Benjaman]

This is why I grease the wheel bearings every 2/3 years, and keep the birfields greased.

On my 85 Toyota 4x4 PU(same bearings as 60) I changed the wheel bearings once at 100K, but when I pulled the old ones they were still good, so at 300K I replaced the second set with the originals, and put close to 200K on those. Thats near 500k on two sets of bearings! Got to love Toyota quality.

 

[dirtfriendly4x4]

This is why I grease the wheel bearings every 2/3 years, and keep the birfields greased.

On my 85 Toyota 4x4 PU(same bearings as 60) I changed the wheel bearings once at 100K, but when I pulled the old ones they were still good, so at 300K I replaced the second set with the originals, and put close to 200K on those. Thats near 500k on two sets of bearings! Got to love Toyota quality.

i think i might do that too only problem is my speedometer is not working, might look at it soon.. the cable is still ok. might be the gear for the cable at the gearbox.

the process now is i got the calipers serviced, and replacing 2 wheel nuts which was damaged before i bought it, i dont want to get an idea of having 5 nuts while wheeling..

the vids and pics in this forum is contagious!!! i cant wait to fix my truck LOL.

tomorrow i'm gonna install the new bearings on the other side got a local workshop to replace the bolts and nuts for the wheel hub.

and gonna replace the flexible brake lines too.

 

[dirtfriendly4x4]

She picked a nice spot to move to then!

when i go there gonna grab some offroad gear will inform you when we plan to go there..

 

[dirtfriendly4x4]

i disassembled the left spindle and bearings, got the hub to a local shop and take the hub today morning, also rebuild the calipers as the rubber gaskets rot also taking it home tomorrow,

the stupid thing today is i just realised the right knuckle has a freeplay after assembling the the spindle for the 2nd time. might do that tomorrow as i have kingpin bearings in stock.

i don't know how the freeplay is spotted as i have checked with the wheel on, maybe the damaged bearing freeplay dampened the kingpin freeplay. good thing i didn't realised it after i put everything on.

i might take pictures of frosty tomorrow on the repair BRB.

 

[dirtfriendly4x4]

You need a complete front end rebuild kit, including wheel bearings and (I bet) kingpin bearings and all seals and gaskets.
Also, you need to inspect the spindle where the bearings ride on, as it could be scarred badly.
I don't know about availability of those parts in your corner of the world, but maybe some of the trusty vendors here would ship to you. Get in touch with Kurt at Cruiseroutfitters first, he is great to deal with.
cheers,
J

well this is a late reply, but its better than no reply. the spindle melted the bearing sleeve. i happen to have another spindle from my LJ70 axle. had similar dimensions and it was running strong until i sold my blue 60. eventually if i order parts from the USA will cost me a lot on shipping and the weight of 1 spindle is a pain.
i usually get my parts from neighbouring countries in saraak and sabah in malaysia.
anyays sorry again for the late reply