what is involved with replacing the wheel bearings on a 76 FJ40, is it a tough repair? time consuming? Has anyone done it? Could be plain and simple, any thoughts would be great.
Replacing the wheel bearings isn't too involved - it just depends what you want to do while you're in there. You have to take apart the hub assembly and pull the rotors - then drive and replace the races in the rotor/hub assy...pack bearings and replace. Probably want to go ahead and do a complete birf. job while your at it (only a couple more steps...and you'll need some of the seals/gaskets anyway) since the kits are relatively cheap for 40s...and it probably needs it. This would also be necessary if you plan on replacing the trunion bearings (knuckles). The rear is about the same amount of work...
It is more of a messy job than hard. You can do fronts and rears in a weekend with no problem (if you have all the parts first). If the nuckles are leaking I would pull the birfs, replace the seals and wipes on the nuckles while I was at it. All you may need to do is adjust the fronts. Try to "wiggle the front wheels if there is a lot of play it could be just an adjustment.
Nocents
front wheels have a little play in them when wiggled, so i am thinking just getting a rebuild kit and taking a weekend to complete, thanks for the responses, was just curious about how long it would take.
Did you wiggle side to side or top to bottom? Sideways is usually wheel bearing, top to bottom is kingpins. Repacking and adjusting is usually 1-1 1/2 hrs the first time, after that it goes quicker. Are the knuckles leaking? If not I wouldn't mess with them.
One trick I use is multiple layers of latex gloves, peel them off as they get grunged up.
I went through the front of my '78 after a couple deep water crossing just to be safe. I found a crushed inner seal and knuckle bearing so I replaced everything (Thank JT Outfitters for the overnight shipping). Be sure to have the parts on hand when you start as it seems some places are always out of one item or another. It's not that hard to do just MESSY. It's worth the effort if you wheel it alot.
I'm doing that right now. As long as you are in there, do the knuckle rebuild. When the inner seal goes, the hypoid dilutes the grease in the hub and things go downhill pretty rapidly. You don't have to separate the inner and outer axles/ c clips. Make note of the # and position of shims on the knuckles and you should be OK. Use lithium grease to fill the knuckles. It will take a needle adapter on your grease gun and mine took about a half a tube per side.
You can do it. Lots of disposable rags. I used gasoline to clean parts, but do it outdoors.
GL
Ed
