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1994 Ford Bronco Front end Knuckle out replacement

Tiny
NAVY JEFF
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD BRONCO
  • 55,000 MILES
My front left side bearings totally ceased up, the outer bearing is dust the inter bearing is welded to the spindle.

I got the 4x4 auto-locking hub assembly off and and the nuts holding it to the front drive shaft, and removed the caliper and ABS sensor, but I can not get the inter-bearing to budge, can I just removed the tie rod and ball joints (they are very clean, they are not that old) and just pull off the entire knuckle assembly, I am replacing the knuckle, spindle, ball joints, and bearings, seals and brake rotor and hub anyway, or do I need to keep heating and hope the inter-bearing will budge off the spindle?
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Friday, October 18th, 2013 AT 4:43 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Usually when the inner bearing does that it needs to be cut off with a rubber wheel (thin grinding disc) then either an air chisel or beat the hellout of it and hope that the spindle isn't messed up or if it is you can get it repsrayed and put on but just replace the spindle as you are anyhow.
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Friday, October 18th, 2013 AT 4:51 PM
Tiny
NAVY JEFF
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  • 6 POSTS
Sense I am replacing it all anyway is it required to get the rotor off to drop the ball joints, or can I just unbolt the ball joints and tierod end and just drop the entire assembly
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Friday, October 18th, 2013 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Yes you can do that first but make sure you disconnect the brake line to not damage that. And try to lube the bearings at least at every brake job to prevent this from happening if they are not the one piece type bearings.
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 5:57 AM
Tiny
NAVY JEFF
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes I agree, I replaced the bearings and seal last year when I did a brake job when I put new Hubs on, it was well greased them then, that is why I was shocked that they failed like they did, I don't drive this truck often thus why the miles are so low, it only had 4,000 miles on these bearings. When I felt the drag on my steering wheel I thought I had a bad caliper, because I did not change them, never expected a total bearing failure like this. I have not seen something as bad as his sense my 55 Chevy and the old ball bearings.
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 8:20 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If you cleaned the bearings with mineral spirits and didn't use something like brake cleaner to dry the bearing out after then the mineral spirits ate up the grease that you put on or the bearing may have been etched due to age and or sitting and tore the bearing up that way even if it were greased.
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 8:27 AM
Tiny
NAVY JEFF
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes I understand that, I was a mechanic in the Navy a certified Diesel inspector, Marine Gas Turbine inspector and Boiler Inspector.I would never use mineral spirits on a bearing, plus brake cleaner leaves a dry surface mineral spirits stay on the surface. I personally believe it is a manufacture defect.I even used a new tub of grease. In case it was bad grease I re-packed my Mustang last night with a new tub. But it checked out ok still looked new. It could be from sitting, I have + 2 tires on it for winter, the added weight plus the outward force changes so that may have been a factor, I got new bearings for the other side as well, just in case.
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 8:36 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
In all my experience that I've seen this it usually is from etched surface of bearing or race. Usually if it were repacked. Oh well you are getting it fixed that is the important part.
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
NAVY JEFF
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I agree, who knows who touched it before me, but I am 100% combat disabled, I live totally on my Retirement, Military disability and SSI. And with the Government shutdown I haven't been paid this month yet.I have a side business restoring arms and armament, lucky its been a good month for that. Just a few hundred bucks I didn't plan on spending. Funny when our children in DC start acting up, I can't fix guns and restore them fast enough, and forget stocking Ammo.I literally have folks picking it up right off the truck cases at a time. Joe Biden's have been the big seller this month (double barrel shotguns) I can't find them fast enough, I have a backlog of folks wanting them.
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 8:59 AM
Tiny
NAVY JEFF
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I have a bumper sticker that reads, "Vote for no one"
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 10:08 AM

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