Has anyone else had a lot of trouble with the front wheel bearing assembly on the 4X4 models of this era? I ask, because in about 1998, when this truck had about 40,000 miles, the driver side wheel bearing went out. Then in 2000, at about 60,000 miles, the passenger side went out. Today, at just over 90,000 miles, I was getting ready to replace the U-joint on the passenger side axle shaft, and was jacking the whole truck up to rotate the tires all the way around, and discovered the driver side bearing is loose again. Why is this truck eating wheel bearings???

The '99 model has had one wheel bearing replaced, at about 160,000 miles, and the '03 had one replaced at about 80,000. I just can't understand, all three trucks basically do the same work, and are on the same roads, trails...etc..., so why does this one just constantly eat bearings???

Any input is much appreciated.

 

The only thought I have on it , is when you replace them, using proper torque?
I ask this because I checked my bearings before doign all the ball joints. they were fine, now less than 5 k after ball joints, the pass side bearing seems shot. That or it has come loose and just needs tightening. Hoping for the latter.

I would see if you can snug down the axel bolt, perhaps it has loosened.