Wheelbearings on bronco

[Ron G]

The bronco im in possesion of needs new front wheelbearings it is a 4x4 and has manual lockouts on it.how hard of a job is this and is there any special tools i need?

 

[ehenry]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

what year model is your BRonco?

 

[Ron G]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

Its an 89.just to be sure how do you know if the wheelbearings are really bad,the driver side tire leans a little but could it be a tierod,it probably needs new bearings anyway.thanks

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

Unless you have them apart, how do you know you need new ones? <br /><br />You usually need to remove them and clean them before you know. You can do it yourself if you are mechanical and have a good selection of hand tools. But just by you asking if you can do it makes me think maybe you shouldnt.<br /><br />On the list of difficulty, 1 being the easiest and 10 the hardest, I would put it at about a 4 with the right tools.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

If its leaning, its likely an upper ball joint, I dont think they call them ball joints on 4X4s though.

 

[Ron G]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

Ive never worked on fords before or 4x4.i have changed wheelbearings on gmc and chevys in the past,im pretty mechanical inclined,just didnt know if there was some speciality tools needed,or the scoop on the lockouts?

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

I have an '88 Ranger w/manual hubs. Hub isn't very complicated at all. You should be OK. However, a tire lean doesn't sound like bad bearings. When bearings are bad there's a distinctive grinding/growling sound from the wheel. Jack it up, spin the wheel and listen.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

Yeah you have to have a spindle wrench to get the spindle apart for the inner bearings. You probably have some other front end issue.

 

[rattana]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

Most places will rent or loan you the large socket to take the nut off the spindle so you can get to the wheel bearings. There is a specific one for Ford 4X4.<br />If it is leaning, I think you have other issues.

 

[gatorred]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

wait till you do the back don't let it run low on oil in rear you think front wheelbearings, are bad try foating rear axle's bearing they grind or leak. i have an 1988 that did that bearing was good axle was dug up from low oil it was leaking on brake's.

 

[crazycory]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

sounds like you grew some brains gatorred.<br />find any sponsors yet?

 

[gatorred]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

no but I talking to a few crazycory

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

The hubs and spindle are easy to remove. There is one special tool to get the nut unscrewed for the hubs. It is fairly cheap if I remember however I made my own. Took a peice of pipe and cut the top like a castle. <br /><br />Tire lean is not a wheel bearing or tie rod end. Check the ball joints. <br /><br />Just to be on the safe side though could re-pack the wheel bearings while your at it. They are easy to do and the new seals are cheap.<br /><br />(edit) I said spindle. I meant bearings off of the spindle.

 

[Ron G]

Re: Wheelbearings on bronco

Still havent done it yet,but i dont think its the wheelbearing either,didnt think about the ball joints when it warms up im going to jack it up and cheack everthing.thanks for the heads up Ddog.Seems like im getting all these fords got another one last week stepside 4x4 the linkage iswont shift out of 4 wheeldrive,but its got a new inline 6 just replaced 2 months ago.Looks like i better get to learning this mechanics stuff.