Thread: wheel bearings or swivel pins

true

with the brakes locked up hard if you loose all the free play then its the wheel bearings

if you still have 12/6 play then its in the swivel pins, their preload or bottom bearing

Checking the free play at the 3/9 position, starting with just the passangers side jacked up.

If you have 3/9 free play then it is in the drag link, steering arm splines or the bottom end of the steering box

with the passangers side back down jack up the drivers side

if you have free play in the 3/9 position then it is in the tie rod.

now with the brakes still locked on and the engine running have someone rock the steering back and forth while you pull and push on the top of the wheel, if you feel any clunking or play here thats the pitman arm bushes or bolts worn.

still with the brakes locked repeat the test of rocking the steering back and forth, if you have an audiable clunk from the steering box its out of adjustment and may require just a quick adjustment but could need an overhaul. check the steering column unis first tho as sometimes the unis fret out against the steel splines.

Hi Dave-thanks for that- just done all the tie rod ends and drop arm ball joint so all good- did notice previous owner had drag link adjusted too long and steering box not centralised. Will adjust pre-load on bearings and see if it fixes it.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

true

with the brakes locked up hard if you loose all the free play then its the wheel bearings

if you still have 12/6 play then its in the swivel pins, their preload or bottom bearing

Checking the free play at the 3/9 position, starting with just the passangers side jacked up.

If you have 3/9 free play then it is in the drag link, steering arm splines or the bottom end of the steering box

with the passangers side back down jack up the drivers side

if you have free play in the 3/9 position then it is in the tie rod.

now with the brakes still locked on and the engine running have someone rock the steering back and forth while you pull and push on the top of the wheel, if you feel any clunking or play here thats the pitman arm bushes or bolts worn.

still with the brakes locked repeat the test of rocking the steering back and forth, if you have an audiable clunk from the steering box its out of adjustment and may require just a quick adjustment but could need an overhaul. check the steering column unis first tho as sometimes the unis fret out against the steel splines.

forgot to edit it in time...

the second steering test you do with the engine off.

adjusted up the wheel bearings today which took out the play- tricky getting the adjustment correct- would do the inner nut up enough to take out play but the hub still turned freely but when i tightened the outer lock nut up it would obviously tighten the inner nut a touch to create drag on the hub- had to do it a few times to get it right.