I just did a front brake job today. Nothing interesting. Until I had it on the lift and wobbled the front wheels. Driver side front was solid as a rock. Passenger side front has significant play. I look harder and the u-joint coming out of the front axle is what is allowing the wobble. It's not leaking, just wobbling. And that would explain the clunk I get when stopping.

I talked to a worker that used to use the truck and he said a co-worker used to go off road with it over big ruts too fast like a jerk, in hopes of breaking it.

Can someone with knowledge tell me what is broken and maybe hint as to how hard it is to replace?

 

sounds like the hub to me

 

Is that what it is called? It is the actual assembly that comes out of the front axle.

 

If you mean the whole wheel, tire, assy, then yea, it is the wheel bearing assy.

Look to see if it is just to the outside of the 4 big bolts on the inside of the knuckle.

Pretty common to have go bad, but they usually die much faster. The U-Joints would not support anything.

One things is for sure, either it is the wheel hub or the Ball joint.

 

Ok it's definitely the whole wheel, and upper ball joint (I think). Everything that is coming out of the solid front axle (including the u-joint) is moving. So I guess its the hub/bearing assembly? Sorry I'm so ignorant, drivetrain and suspension work baffles me..... Thanks for the help so far. Any chance this can be done by a total rookie?

 

Rookie? It's doable with cursing and beer. ( Beer after you are done for the day )

I would do a search on here about wheel bearings and see what you are up against. A personal decision, but if I am into it that far I would replace the ball joints as well.

 

He said it. Jack it up, grab one wheel on the left and right, and move it to see where you see play. I don't know about the wheel bearing, but I know I wouldn't touch ball joints.

 

Take it to shop that does this work. You will soon forget the high cost a repair done well, not to mention added safety for you.

 

i did both sides of mine in under three hours, and i would consider myself a rookie also. just make sure you have a good shop manual, and use this site for help.

 

I'm more with jayjay than dozer.

I'm more prone to bodily injury than to surrender to a "shop". Maybe if I had no arms or no legs or no eyes....

I've figured out, anything bubba down at retardauto can do, I can do in my driveway for 10% the price.

Thanks guys for the help!!

 

The proper name is unit bearing