Front wheel loose

Been feeling a little wobble when turning sharp left turns and noticed a little uneven tire wear on the outside edge of the tire. Front passenger side.
Today I jacked up the passenger tire and gave it a little back and forth tug and it has play in it... like 1/2 inch or so.

Now I'm trying to figure out what's wrong before I go tear into it on Saturday.

I'm wondering about the wheel bearings or the big hex nut (bearing adjusting nut per FSM) on the shaft working loose as possible causes.

I wondered if any of you would be so kind as to most likely problem and other possible causes.

 

I would check wheel bearing adjustment first, If inspection does confirm loose or backed off wheel bearing nuts and you dont know how long its been that way I would recommend pulling the hub so you can wash and inspect the bearings and races for excessive wear then repack and readjust.
If the wheel bearings are ok its possible you have a steering knuckle bearing out, Inspect the wheel bearings first and let us know what you find.

 

I'm looking at my factory service manual page 192 figure 228. exploded diagram.

What exactly is a steering knuckle bearing?

 

Before your tear it apart jack the wheel back up and leave the wheel about 2-3 inches off the ground. Take a long pry bar or pipe and place it under the tire. While in front of it lift up a few times and you will visually be able to see where the play is. Sounds like your on the right track with a wheel bearing, but if it's not this is the quickest way to rule it out without a complete tear down and inspection.

 

I can do that fast. Just a minute

 

ok I can see the brake drum moving but nothing toward the middle of the axle from that point.

 

Sounds like it's time to tear the hub apart. If it's just the drum moving it's in the hub. (bearing) When you get time take the tire off and repeat lifting on the hub. If you have a 1/2 in. of play you should be able to move it without the leverage of the tire. This will allow you to see up close and personal if the nuckle is moving or just the hub.

 

Wow! I just pulled the tire, the warn hub and then through all the grease I was able to remove the bearing adjusting nuts....



with my fingers!


Cleaned it up and the bearings look pretty good, no rust, no rough or flat spots. The nuts are old and the washer between them looks a little worn but I think I'll just blame it all on the P.O
Tighten them down re grease it and get to :driving:

 

Check the other side too.

 

Did you bend the washer edge? That's supposed to keep the spindle nuts in place.

 

I will tonight when i get the time to re build it all.

I was wondering why they loosened. Thank you for telling me that... good info!

I think I'm gonna get new bearings and washers, nuts anyway while I have it apart. The nuts are torn up from a hammer tighten job by the po. Maybe they all are like that though... it's a hard place to get to.

 

You can tighten them with a chisel, but it's considered bad form. You can get the socket from any of the Jeep specialists (Walcks, Krage, etc.) for less than $10 IIRC.

 

The socket can be bought from NAPA also.
The washer should be bent out toward you not in. I can't count how many guys do not know how to bend the washer correctly to lock them down.
They should look like this or something close.

 

I see no pic ! ||||| stumbles around and falls down |||||

TD

 

If your talkin to me.... there's not much to take pics of. Wheel was loose and during investigation I took it apart...... with my fingers! No wrench needed. Guess that s'plains that!R)

 

Thanks... that's good info too and a great pic of the whole shebang!

 

I didn't get that bulletin. It was the first thing I EVER did on this jeep 15 years ago. I'm stupid now, but back then I was really stupid bout jeeps and mechanic-in. Sshhhhhh! I blamed it on a P.O. in a previous post! Shhh!