How to check wheel bearings

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da_raabi

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Is there a special way to check the wheel bearings on these trucks? I tried the top/bottom method and got some clunking on the passenger front. Does that mean its time? I also found a bad idler arm while I was at it too. I dont think they are supposed to move up and down... Friggin washboard roads...
 

MadOgre

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Never hurts to clean and repack wheel bearings anyway. It just prolongs there life.
 

da_raabi

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Is the clunking a problem though?
 

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It cant be good! If there not damaged after cleaning them you could just try repacking them. If money is not the issue then just put new ones in.
 

da_raabi

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Well the problem is that if I'm going to be pulling everything apart I might as well do the rotors too. They look like they are the factory originals, and while I already have one, $260 for the second one is pretty spendy!!! I'll look into simply repacking and re-torquing them and see what happens though. It might get me through for now.
 

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Well clean them in varsol first and then brake clean before repacking.
 

highdesertrange

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if you need bearings go with timkin still made in the US. if you have play you must find where it's coming from before you start replacing parts. wheel bearings should repacked at regular intervals. so it wouldn't hurt to do that. no reason to replace the rotors if they don't need it. highdesertranger
 

da_raabi

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if you need bearings go with timkin still made in the US. if you have play you must find where it's coming from before you start replacing parts. wheel bearings should repacked at regular intervals. so it wouldn't hurt to do that. no reason to replace the rotors if they don't need it. highdesertranger

Oh they need it... But they work for the time being. I'll try repacking over the weekend and see if that helps at all.

I know I have a bunch of steering play - I found the idler arm deflecting up and down and the rag joint is toast. I'll fix those items to get the steering back in spec then repack the bearings and see how things look. I am NOT looking forward to moving them big friggin rotors around - but hey its all part of the fun! I really dont want to go through the hassle of installing $65 worth of brand new timkins in old rotors - just to have to do it again.

Plus - I want to use that $65 on exhaust tips or an H pipe. Priorities yo!
 

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