Little brother needs help, wheel bearings/axle problems

[sahtt]

My brother has worked hard all through highschool and purchased a 95 4wd w/120k miles cash at 17 years old. He's had the transmission, torque converter, entire braking system, etc. overhauled in the couple thousand miles he's had it. Not too much of a reward for working hard. He's about 4 grand into it service work including tires [doesn't include purchase price]. The truck has developed another possibly big problem. He needs to get this taken care of as cheaply as possible and cut his losses.

The wheel bearings in the front both have about 1/3-1/2" play up and down. The bigger problem is that the axle that goes into the right side of the front pumpkin has way too much play, probably 1/2" again, maybe even slightly more. It's causing a loud grinding noise when turning, even when it isn't technically engaged through the 4wd system. To be more specific, it's the passenger side axle/shaft.

I'm worried it is eating at the gears inside the casing, but I've never owned a SUV muchless a 4wd one. I am very mechanically inclined but this is unfamiliar territory for the most part.

The shop he took it to before I got a chance to evaluate it was quoting things like 1500-2400 depending on the condition of the insides of the casing. I went there and checked it on the lift as well as spoke to the mechanics, which is where I got the info. I posted above.

The truck does not have hubs supposedly, but what have you guys typically paid to have the wheel bearings done? Has anyone had this shaft 'fixed' and with what results/costs? Thanks,

Steve

 

[captwalker87]

The bearings involve removing the tire, and the ADD hub. yes, its a hub, and that where the wheel bearings are held. It will cost you $80 max for new bearings and races, and grease at autozone. Just takes some of your time, there are a few pages on the internet that show you how to do it, and sorry, I dont have any of the URLs handy. As for this "shaft", I'm afraid you need to be more specfic.. are you talking about the CV half-shafts ar the ADD sleve inside the differential?

 

[sahtt]

Thanks for the wheel bearing information, that gives me a sigh of relief if I can do it myself. Hopefully the hubs are still intact. I'll do my best to find an online service manual for the car.

I'll do my best to be more specific, I'm not familiar with 4wd's much. Looking at the car from underneath it, the front has the two axles from the wheels that go into the middle casing. I'm assuming they are axles, I don't know what else they could be but like I said I don't know 4wd systems. The driver's side is made up of two shafts [I believe bolted together], whereas the right is a single shaft that runs from the case/housing to the wheel. The part that has play is if you grab the shaft [level with the furthest parts towards the ground of anything under the engine] where it meets the casing on the passenger's side. It has 8 big bolts on that end of the shaft. The driver's side only has play at the wheel bearings, whereas the passenger side has play at the wheel bearings AND where that shaft connects to the casing.

I hope I was more clear. I'll try to find/take pictures if that is not clear enough.

 

[fourwd1]

Here is some info on replacing the front axles. You can learn what they look like, and how dissasemble the front end to get to the bearings.

This one is even more in depth.

 

[sahtt]

fourwd1, much thanks for those links. Definetely getting somewhere now. I need to figure out what is causing the grinding nosie, isolate it, and repair it. He has decided to sell the truck once it is in good running condition for a camry/civic until he saves up more money in the future. I put the truck up on jackstands in the garage in preperation. I start a 60-70hr/wk job within the next two weeks and want to make good progress before then.

BTW, those links you posted are identicle. Not sure if that was your intent.

 

[Red3.slow]

The grinding noise, I know exactly what your talking about. My 95 is doing the exact same thing. My friends 92 started doing it as well. He put on Asain hubs and forgot about it I did the same just till I can figure out what it is and replace it. Its not the CV axel I can tell you that. It's what ever the heck the CV shaft bolts up to on the front diff, A seal or something like that. I'm still not sure my self. Let me know if you find out anything. If I'm able to isolate it I'll let you know.

 

[Red3.slow]

I haven't tried this yet but see if it helps your brother. Tell him I feel his pain, I hope he gets to injoy the fruits of his labor.