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Front wheel bearing

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Inverno4, Jun 16, 2013.

  1. Jun 16, 2013 at 3:20 PM
    #1
    Inverno4

    Inverno4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    After doing the upper ball joints this weekend, I get home and the front left wheel is squeaking/rubbing at low speed under 10 mph and is cyclic with the speed. I jacked it up and there is no play in any direction. Took the tire off and just by spinning the axle by hand i can hear it sometimes . Is this a wheel bearing possibly? Can I replace the whole spindle with one from a junkyard if so? Seems like its be much cheaper.

    One other thing I did was top off brake fluid to MAX line but I doubt that caused the caliper to stick on or anything. Thanks guys.
     
  2. Jun 16, 2013 at 5:24 PM
    #2
    WHPLSH3

    WHPLSH3 Fortified with horsepower-adding goodness...

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    Wheel bearings never squeak- they growl. My guess is you dislodged some of the crud on the backside and it just needs to wear off. That, or you've tweaked the dust shield for the rotor
     
  3. Jun 16, 2013 at 6:24 PM
    #3
    wolfgang123

    wolfgang123 Well-Known Member

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    bump/question...

    What would be a sign of worn or failing front wheel bearings? I have a small wobbly up front on the drivers side and i fear it to be a wheel bearing since i covered almost every other possible solution.

    Dont mean to thread hi-jack but its relevant :eek:

    EDIT: OP sounds like you bent a dust shield behind your rotors its a simple thing to check so at least take a look before spending any money.
     
  4. Jun 16, 2013 at 6:25 PM
    #4
    PLC721

    PLC721 Well-Known Member

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    usually a roaring noise from the front
     
  5. Jun 16, 2013 at 6:28 PM
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    wolfgang123

    wolfgang123 Well-Known Member

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    any signs other than noise? its pretty quiet right now.
     
  6. Jun 16, 2013 at 6:29 PM
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    PLC721

    PLC721 Well-Known Member

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    Jack your truck up and put your hands on the tire at 10:00 and 2:00 O'clock, if theres play its your wheel bearing, also keep and eye on the steering rack to make sure your not just moving that around as it usually has some play
     
  7. Jun 16, 2013 at 6:31 PM
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    cgs2k2

    cgs2k2 old man

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    any strange vibrations coming from the front.

    jack the truck up and try moving the wheel back and forth (towards the truck and away, towards you) if there is play, it's probably be the wheel bearing.

    A good way to verify which side has failed is to drive straight down the road around 35-40mph and slightly turn the steering wheel to the left. If noise becomes louder it is the RIGHT side bearing that has failed. If you steer to the right side and the noise becomes louder it is the LEFT side that has failed.
     
  8. Jun 16, 2013 at 6:33 PM
    #8
    WHPLSH3

    WHPLSH3 Fortified with horsepower-adding goodness...

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    "A small wobbly on the front" is usually an outer tie rod getting ready to give up. If your tires are cupped inside it also does that
     
  9. Jun 16, 2013 at 6:34 PM
    #9
    wolfgang123

    wolfgang123 Well-Known Member

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    alright i will do the 10 and 2 shake test tomorrow thanks fellas!

    EDIT: upper, and lower ball joints have less than 1k miles on them...inner and outer tie rods have less than 1k on them, same goes for alignment, and tires look to be wearing evenly... and poly steering rack bushings about 200 miles ago
     
  10. Jun 16, 2013 at 6:59 PM
    #10
    Inverno4

    Inverno4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Come to think of it, we were messing with the dust shield. Ill have to take a look in the next few days. Don't worry about hijacking. I'm learning a lot with everything on here that I read.
     

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