Noise on deacceleration/spindle questions (1 Viewer)

[TXMeatball]

Howdy all,
Noticed a while ago I had what looks like gear oil seepage on my passenger side knuckle. I replaced the axle seals/bearings/etc exactly a year ago/8kish miles.

Replaced my extremely loud Chinese tires with much nicer ones and then noticed a grinding/hum coming from the same side. Pulled it apart and found this:

Nail catches on where the hub seal rides. The bearing surfaces are ugly too, but nail doesn’t really catch on them. I’m gonna go ahead and assume this spindle is smoked and replace.

Bearing races aren’t looking great either- gonna replace all that too.
Pretty sure these are causing that noise.
Now for questions- I initially thought it was my axle seal that was compromised and thought that was the source of my gear oil seepage. Now I’m pretty sure it’s the hub seal?
Looks like the bearings got hot by the staining. What caused this? Too much preload or too little? This go around I plan on setting it as described here (Spindle Damage Cause? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/posts/15613021/), but would like input.
Here’s an additional knuckle pic. I think my axle seals are fine, but I ordered replacement ones and the trail tailor driver for them as well just in case.

Thanks all.

 

[landtank]

I’ve had that type of sound from a dry spindle bushing.

 

[TXMeatball]

I’ve had that type of sound from a dry spindle bushing.

Expected the spindle needle bearings to be the issue but found a solid bushing. There was grease in here, cleaned it out. Super dark staining too.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

Looks the like the spindle OD is too small for the bearing ID. I can see the worn step and discoulouration, it's casused by the inner race acting as a journal bearing rather than the roller elements doing thier job. Did you change the spindles too, or just the wheel bearings when you rebuilt it? Its caused by not enough preload.

 

[TXMeatball]

Looks the like the spindle OD is too small for the bearing ID. I can see the worn step and discoulouration, it's casused by the inner race acting as a journal bearing rather than the roller elements doing thier job. Did you change the spindles too, or just the wheel bearings when you rebuilt it? Its caused by not enough preload.

Spindles are the originals with 343k as far as I know. Weren't this bad when I did it; would've replaced then.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

Sorry to hear that. Spindles are expensive-ish.
More preload next time.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Howdy all,
Noticed a while ago I had what looks like gear oil seepage on my passenger side knuckle. I replaced the axle seals/bearings/etc exactly a year ago/8kish miles.
View attachment 3718772
Replaced my extremely loud Chinese tires with much nicer ones and then noticed a grinding/hum coming from the same side. Pulled it apart and found this:
View attachment 3718773
Nail catches on where the hub seal rides. The bearing surfaces are ugly too, but nail doesn’t really catch on them. I’m gonna go ahead and assume this spindle is smoked and replace.
View attachment 3718774
Bearing races aren’t looking great either- gonna replace all that too.
Pretty sure these are causing that noise.
Now for questions- I initially thought it was my axle seal that was compromised and thought that was the source of my gear oil seepage. Now I’m pretty sure it’s the hub seal?
Looks like the bearings got hot by the staining. What caused this? Too much preload or too little? This go around I plan on setting it as described here (Spindle Damage Cause? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/posts/15613021/), but would like input.
Here’s an additional knuckle pic. I think my axle seals are fine, but I ordered replacement ones and the trail tailor driver for them as well just in case.
View attachment 3718787
Thanks all.

1st pic, looks like just a bit of oil separating from grease in the knuckle.
All my cruisers have done this. A little weeping around the steering arm studs is normal.

The 2nd and 3rd pic, the discolouration and wear looks like bearings were loose. Follow the bearing preload method that was suggested in the thread you linked.

Spindle wear looks like it's enough to warrant replacing the spindle, and bearings.


Spindle bushing looks a little grooved on the face, and inside. This may be your noise.

If you expected needle bearings in the spindle, and found dirty old grease in bushings, does this mean they were untouched last time you had the knuckle apart?
These should be cleaned and greased with some moly grease when assembling. Bushings, or roller bearings should both be packed with fresh grease. Without this, your relying on grease finding is way in through small spaces.