Front wheel bearing advice needed!

[iguanaman1960]

First off, I have found this site to be invaluable source of information. Sometimes the owners manual and internet sites just don't make it clear enough.

OK, here it is! Front hub, inner bearing and seal! Without spending a lot of money on tools, I'm looking for alternatives to removal, inspection and installation.

The drums need to be inspected and turned (all 4 will get evaluated and replaced if need be)......does the inner bearing need to come out for that? Will the seal be damaged or can I reuse it once removed? So far, the bearings and the race/cup look great!

I understand if I replace any of it, all new stuff should be used!

Any tips, tricks and/or traps would be helpful!

Thanks in advance!

 

[needabronco]

99% of the time bearings can be reused. IF they show signs of pitting, blueing or are are noisy replace them. ALWAYS replace the seals. The inner spindle bearings that your asking about are generally OK most of the time, but they are also the least maintained bearings, pack them with some grease and replace the seal and you should be OK. If you suspect they are damageds then knock them out with a socket and an extension or with a screw driver, and replace them.

As for the front drums, take a long look at doing a disk brake conversion, often times this can be done for the same price or for a few dollars more if your resourcefull and have a pick and pull near by. I did mine for about $250 and used brand new rotors and reman'd calipers....

 

[73azbronco]

another key point is if you start finding any crap inside the seal, dirt, sand, water, replace the seal.

 

[Timmy390]

The only special tools needed is a torque wrench and a spindle nut socket. They make two styles of spindle nut sockets, one with prongs and one that slides over the spindle nut. I have the prongs and wish I had the slide over version but both get the job done.

I would suggest taking it all apart and inspecting the bearings and the races. Often the bearings look good to the eye but the races will show any problems with pits and groves. Replacing the seals is just a good idea anytime you take it apart IMO. If you do resue clean and repack the bearings before putting them back in to get any contaminated grease out of there.

Upgrading to disks is a great thing (I just did this last week) but it cost me much more than $250 but I replaced everything in the front.

Tim

 

[DirtDonk]

While reusing the inner wheel bearing seal is theoretically possible (I've heard some here have done it) it's usually pretty well toast by the time you get it out.
Shame to waste a perfectly good one to just check bearings I know, but it's cheap insurance really. They don't cost that much new, and are easily replaced when you re-pack your bearings.

And you should do that. Unless you know they were done just a few miles ago, then cleaning, closely inspecting, and repacking the bearings is a must-do when doing anything in there anyway.

Have fun!

paul

 

[u10072]

Not to hijack-- all this bearing seal, checking nonsense--when I finally build a certain front end its going to have the 99-2004 SD unit bearings on them-- if my 2000 Excursion bearing are still good with 180K and 7600# -- an early bronco should be fine regardless of the tires! No more need to pack bearings! Just that is worth the price of admission!

 

[iguanaman1960]

Again, this site rocks with the amount of tips and advice. I would like to say "Thank You" to all those who responded. This helps tremendously in my decison making. Thanks again!

 

[73azbronco]

Not to hijack-- all this bearing seal, checking nonsense--when I finally build a certain front end its going to have the 99-2004 SD unit bearings on them-- if my 2000 Excursion bearing are still good with 180K and 7600# -- an early bronco should be fine regardless of the tires! No more need to pack bearings! Just that is worth the price of admission!

whats this setup look like, how to do ?