Front axle issue (IFS)

the_dingman

the_dingman

New member
Something is loose in my driver's side front wheel, as I hear a loud rattle every time I go over a bump. Over the winter, I was having issues with my manual locking hub not engaging, and after removing the cover, I see that the axle is a little low of center. I'm wondering if there is a bearing supporting the axle inside the hub, or if it's more likely the wheel bearing that is bad.

This is a daily-driver, and the problem's been around for at least 8 months and not gotten worse, so I think my wheel bearing is ok, but I am looking for ideas before I tear it all apart.

Any thoughts?
 
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Are you sure your shock isn't shot? I had a similar problem, passenger font, and upon inspection, discovered the shock was not supporting the car in any way shape or form.

20 bucks a shock and about an hour later, she rides smooth and quiet once again.

Mines a second gen, I don't know anything about 1st gens really, I assume they have shocks and not struts.
 
I had all the shocks replaced when I put the new tires on 2 years ago. They should be good. I have no issues with the ride. I think the noise and locking hub are connected.
 
Well I wouldn't know anything about that, just figured I'd suggest it because I hit one big bump in a snowstorm with the passenger side and it demolished my shock. anyways, good luck with the fix.
 
the_dingman said:
Something is loose in my driver's side front wheel, as I hear a loud rattle every time I go over a bump. Over the winter, I was having issues with my manual locking hub not engaging, and after removing the cover, I see that the axle is a little low of center. I'm wondering if there is a bearing supporting the axle inside the hub, or if it's more likely the wheel bearing that is bad.

This is a daily-driver, and the problem's been around for at least 8 months and not gotten worse, so I think my wheel bearing is ok, but I am looking for ideas before I tear it all apart.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Do you mean you pulled the manual hub cover off, and the little 12mm (11mm?) nut on the tip of the spindle was not centered in the hub assembly???

I really hope I'm misreading that, because I don't know how you drive around for 8 months with a bearing rattling around and not completely destroy the spindle.

Yes, there are inside and outside bearings between the flange and the spindle (behind the hub, not in it), and something would have to be grievously wrong in there for the spindle to not be centered in the hub.
 
I had this same issue, although it was on both sides.

Check your brake pads as for some reason they get loose on the pins that hold them in and they slide up and down and make a nasty noise.
 
It looks like the entire axle is just off center of the hub, as though it's sitting low from a bad support. There is a large washer under the bolt in the hub, and you can see that the distance is not equal on the top and bottom. This was causing the hub to not engage.

I've had bearing issues in the past, and I highly doubt a wheel bearing is to blame as well.

My swaybar does have one broken bolt on the driver's side where it attaches to the frame, but this wouldn't explain the hub problem, and the sound is older than the broken bolt.

I know my brake pads are shot, so that's a possibility on the noise as well, but I still want to figure out the hub problem. I found myself with 3-wheel drive a few times, and once had the inner gear on the hub finally pop from moving backwards to being in place at about 25MPH. I don't want to chance breaking anything again.
 
the_dingman said:
It looks like the entire axle is just off center of the hub, as though it's sitting low from a bad support. There is a large washer under the bolt in the hub, and you can see that the distance is not equal on the top and bottom. This was causing the hub to not engage.

I've had bearing issues in the past, and I highly doubt a wheel bearing is to blame as well.

My swaybar does have one broken bolt on the driver's side where it attaches to the frame, but this wouldn't explain the hub problem, and the sound is older than the broken bolt.

I know my brake pads are shot, so that's a possibility on the noise as well, but I still want to figure out the hub problem. I found myself with 3-wheel drive a few times, and once had the inner gear on the hub finally pop from moving backwards to being in place at about 25MPH. I don't want to chance breaking anything again.
Click to expand...

I would get a copy of the FSM, if you don't already have one, and take a look at how your hub and axle spindle relate. I was just in mine replacing the rotors (rebuilt the hubs while I was at it), and I cannot imagine a way for the spindle to be off center without having a loose outer bearing. If you remove the hub assembly, you'll find a pair of 54mm nuts held together by a flanged washer. That assembly is what's holding your outer bearing in place. That would have to be loose and allowing the bearing to float outwards in order for the spindle to not be centered in the hub.

Although if that were the case, your camber would be off... how's your tire wear? Any steering issues? Try picking up that corner and wobbling the tire. If I'm right, you'll get play in every direction.

Another thought is that maybe you've got a non-standard washer with an ID too big for the nut on the tip of the spindle, and it's just the washer that's off center?
 
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