Periodic Clicking after Front axle overhaul

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Okay,

So I just jacked her up, pulled the cap and screwed the "puller" bolt into the end of the axle/birf. There is about a mm of play. I pushed it in then pulled it out and ....ping, pushed it in, pulled it out and ...ping, pushed it in ... well I did it about 10 times. This noise sounds deafly similar to what I'm hearing. The dust shield, rotor etc.. is like an ampetheater affect. I'm thinking this has got to be it.

So the big question is, what's causing the extra play, and is it F'ing up stuff? I wondered.. has that filthy C'dan short changed me with a skinny snap ring?? But I know he wouldn't do that (besides I put the old one back on and it's the same difference). The only thing I can think is the non-oem hub seal is either slightly skinnier or I over pounded it. What else could it be??

What say ye, O cruiser gods?

:beer:
Rookie2
 
Seals are just that seals. The stopping point of the hubs are the bearings and races. Sounds to me that everything is normal that you have described. Did you examine the bushing on the inside of the spindle for wear?
 
I thought the bushings looked great, especially after I got all the grease out of the grooves. No visible wear.

Since it wouldn't be possible to overseat the bearing races, I figured the seal was the only other thing that could create the slack. You're saying the seal is not the contact surface that hits the spindle when you push the hub all the way back on?

Thanks,
Rookie2
 
rookie,
the seal is justa seal,
it does not locate anything or restrict the travel of any parts. the bearings and races and outer nuts control this. just for giggles how did you set the preload on the outer nuts?? just thinking out loud although I agree with rick that there is nothing wrong with the play you are seeing.
Dave
 
Dave,

I followed the proceedure in the FSM on setting the pre-load. Tightened it down, turned the hub, re-torque, loosen, finger tight, check preload, lock washer, locking nut torqued to spec.

BTW there was no thrust washer on my rig or in my kit, like shown in the FSM, not that that would have an affect on this deal anyway.

R2
 
when I set the preload on mine the 4 ft lbs and then tightening on the outer nut still gave just a little play in the knuckle. mine are at approx 8 ft lbs( hard to gauge, my hand on socket and turning till tight by had with no wrench) this will not affect the in and out movement of the axle shaft at all I was just looking for other signs of clicking.
Dave
 
you mean the flat washer between the outer wheel bearing and the locknut? That is there on the 91, 93 and 95's I have worked on and I thought there was no change over the years. Not sure if you should be setting the lock nut directly against the wheel bearing so I would get the washers put in there. If your truck was already like that then it probably is not the cause of your noise, Maybe someone lost them while survicing your rotors or wheel bearings in the past.
 
[quote author=semlin link=board=2;threadid=15329;start=msg147472#msg147472 date=1083257951]
you mean the flat washer between the outer wheel bearing and the locknut?
[/quote]

Yes. Neither side had them. I don't think these hubs have ever been off before. The flange nut and studs, didn't have a scratch on them and looked like new.

I'll check with C&#039:Dan.

Any thoughts why one side would have the play we're talking about and the other not?

One thing I was noticing last night when looking at the front of the rig, the tires look a little bo-legged. Meaning the bottom edge sets in more than the top. I always thought an alignment problem was a toe-in/toe-out deal. Doubt this has anything to do with this deal.

Thanks,
Rookie2
 
rookie,
if that is the case then the only adjustment to this condition (referred to as camber) is shims in the knuckle itself. unless your tires are wearing funny I would not look closely. the only easily adjustable thing on these is the toe in and toe out. all are adjustable but camber and caster are more difficult and not worth chasing for small offsets.
Dave
 
what is your tire psi at???
could be an optical illusion or some really sad trunion bearings. probably just the illusion.
Dave
 
I believe I'm running 32psi or something close to that. It's whatever is on the door sticker, but I haven't checked in a couple of months. It seems to ride fine.

The trunion bearings and racings or new.

I did have to beat the piss out the old races to get them out. Surely I couldn't have bent to axle and ball. It seems pretty stout.

:beer:
Rookie2
 
>> I did have to beat the piss out the old races to get them out. <<
>> Surely I couldn't have bent to axle and ball. It seems pretty stout. <<

Unlikely that you could bend the axle removing the knuckle bearing races, though the force required to remove them should NOT be as you described.

>> Yes. Neither side had them (thrust washers).
>> I don't think these hubs have ever been off before.
>> The flange nut and studs, didn't have a scratch on them and looked like new.

There should be thrust washers on both sides. Something is NOT right inside your knuckles. I'm guessing your bearings are not seated properly causing the noise. You need to open it up and get that washer in there.

-B-
 
:doh:, :slap:... you guys are probably going to flame me, but it looks like it was a loose front end shock. Damn the timing!

I've PM's C'dan about some new thrust washers, and will get those put in.

Thanks for the advice gents.

And the moral of the story boys and girls... seals are seals :D.

:cheers:
Rookie2
 
Rookie2,

I had a loose shock when I bought my truck; upper bushing was gone. It made a clunk or a thud noise, not a clicking noise.

Describing with words the sounds that something is making is really tough but you threw us off with the "clicking" description.

-B-
 
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