IIA crunchy cornering... bearings?

[Shonky]

Driving Ambrose around yesterday, he developed a few new noises up front.

First off, it started making knocking sounds on braking. It didn't affect braking, it wasn't pulling and I couldn't feel it through the pedal or the steering. The noise sounded like it was coming from the front left wheel area...

I made a note of it, but as it wasn't loud and it wasn't affecting driving I kept driving home, just being gentle.

Later that evening, I was doing a U-turn in the end of my street to put Ambrose in the driveway, and it made a loud grinding and knocking noise which didn't sound good... It stopped when I straightened up and it didn't cause any loss of steering or motion, but it made the noises again as I was turning into the driveway.

I don't think it is a broken half-shaft - there wasn't a trademark 'bang' and it isn't noisy normally. I could be wrong though... thoughts?

I was thinking that it was more likely to be a dicky bearing that has finally spat the dummy. Considering the length of time the vehicle has been sitting idle it could have seeped it's oil and been running dry.

I seem to remember reading something about converting oil-filled hubs to grease packed. Am I right, or confused?

Anyway - let me know your thoughts because I am loath to drive him anywhere until it is all sorted.

Oh - I should mention that I drove it home from the previous owners place (~30kms) in 4WD by accident. This may have contributed to this.

[JDNSW]

It could be bearings going, although I doubt it. More likely to be a bearing nut loose (and on the left hand side, on the way off!) which should be checked immediately before driving it again. Jack up the wheel and check for the wheel being free to wobble If it does, and it is not the swivel or the wheel nuts, remove the drive flange and check. If it is loose bearing nuts you will have to strip it and replace at a minimum the lock washer, but check the stub axle thread for damage and the seal for sealing. Bearings are likely to be OK unless they have been run dry or allowed to rust, neither of which is likely to happen unless the oil that should be there has been replaced with grease. It could also be loose wheel nuts, again easy to check.

But perhaps the most likely, if it stops when going straight, and does it when turning, is a U-joint in the swivel housing, either in the process of disintegration, or simply dry, or both. Jack up that side, full lock, and spin the wheel, trying to see where the noise is coming from. A small torch looking through the filler hole may see something, but it sounds to me as if a swivel disassembly for inspection is indicated.

John

[Shonky]

Thanks John - how did I know you would be first to reply!

Bearings are likely to be OK unless they have been run dry or allowed to rust, neither of which is likely to happen unless the oil that should be there has been replaced with grease.

I take it that you are not a fan of grease filled hubs then? If not, may I ask why?

Thanks for your comprehensive and helpful answer. I will crack out the green bible and see what I can do.

[dandlandyman]

Have you got free-wheeling-hubs on it? I had a new Selectro unit on the front right wheel start graunching when I went around a left-hand corner. I stripped it on the side of the road one day and found a circlip had come adrift. Easy fixed, but it had me worried.

Dan.
69 2A 88" pet4, 74 3 109" pet4, 68 2B FC pet6.

[Shonky]

G'Day Dan.

No free wheeling hubs. Just plain old drive flanges.

[Xtreme]

My first thought was (as JDNSW has suggested) the U-joint in the swivel housing, although usually if the U-joint was disintegrating, I would have thought you would get some 'kick-back' through the steering while turning.

Re the bearing lubrication - stick with the oil. Anyway you wouldn't have the necessary seals in Ambrose to stop the oil working up from the diff/swivel housing if you wanted to for greased wheel bearings.

Roger

[Shonky]

Oil it is then.

Ta. Will let you know how I go.

[d@rk51d3]

You're not in 4WD are you?


Edit -

Never mind.... I just read the last line of your opening post.

[Shonky]

Haha... hmm... slight problem gents.

Ambrose didn't come with a jack.


Forgot about that!

I also don't have a hub-nut box spanner - will have to get one off eBay. I don't want to do it the cold-chisel way.

[JohnE]

ambrose gets posts up and down the page!

a hint i don't have a hub nut spanner, use a pair multi grips its just as easy, i don;t know why you would want to use a cold chisel they are not usually that tight.

hope it helps,


john