How can you tell if a hub is bad

[tyhuck]

I just took it by my mechanic after work. He said it was fine. He also said that everything felt tight in the front and that the sound I was hearing is most likely the steering shaft.

[CoffeyLover]

Intermediate Steering Shaft.... look it up, it's a pretty big problem with our trucks.

[tyhuck]

Yes, Im aware of that. Thanks.

[Garrett Street]

If you all had to guess. Roughly how long would it take me to do this job, one side? I'm a decent mechanic, good tools, and an indoor garage. What, 3 hours maybe?

[ChevyTech77]

As long as the hub bearing isn't seized into the steering knuckle with rust, an hour, hour and a half, tops.

[ChevyTech77]

You know, this isnt really helping any. Besides the fact that you cant describe a sound by typing, there is a lot of contradicting information here. Sometimes there is play, sometimes there isnt. Sometimes it makes noise, sometimes it doesnt. Sometimes it will make it worse when turning, sometimes it will make it quieter. My head is spinning, and Im no closer to knowing if my bearing are good or bad.

 

I appreciate the info and input from all that contributed. Im just pointing out the contradictions here.

 

 

So you start a thread, asking a general diagnosis/repair question and you're then going to post back about how your head is spinning and there are too many contradictions here? Seriously? You were not only given a VIDEO of how to check the bearing for play but also some really good advise from multiple members on repairing the issue as well. Then, you just give up and take to somebody and have it checked anyway.

[tyhuck]

Well, yeah. But, the only reason I took it to a mechanic is because I watched the video and checked for play in the bearing, and there was none. But, several people said that it could make noise but have not play. I didnt know what the sound sounded like, and like I said, im not sure if the sound Im hearing was bearing, tire, or what. And I mean absolutely no offense to anyone giving advice, but I concluded that the internet is not a good place to describe a sound. So, I took it to someone who knew what the sound of a bad bearing sounded like. I guess its my fault for asking a question that requires a sound for an answer on a text based forum.

[CoffeyLover]

It never hurts to ask, we can always try to help. But you're very right, describing a sound online is pretty difficult.

 

I agree with your decision to take it to a mechanic, better safe than sorry I think. I'd rather spend a few bucks to know that my hub isn't going to shatter while doing 70 on the freeway

[tyhuck]

Right. Best part is, he didnt charge me. Hes a great guy and he knows that when something breaks that I dont have the tools or time to fix, hes gonna get the business.

[txab]

Did you even take the wheel off to check for brake noises, you can then spin the hub by hand while listening closely and checking for any roughness while turning it. This is not rocket science.

[Garrett Street]

I completely understand how you might not be able to diagnose this. I just fixed my wheel hub (literally 3 hours ago) and I wasn't confident that I had fixed it until I took it out and drove it. I mean, the noise from the brake pad causes sound so it's hard to hear the bearing inside. Once that's off, it spins virtually freely since it's got no weight on it and I didn't know what a "good" bearing is supposed to feel like since I'd never done one before. I didn't think that the bearing felt all that bad and it certainly wasn't as noisy as all the noise in the cab would suggest. Infact, I almost took the part back and just left the old one. Fortunately I went ahead and changed it. The give away for me was the very small amount of play that could be felt with the wheel in the air.

 

Anyway, hope that helps in some way.

[tanked_darren]

Right. Best part is, he didnt charge me. Hes a great guy and he knows that when something breaks that I dont have the tools or time to fix, hes gonna get the business.

 

There's a guy in my town that did something similar, told me what was up for free, best way to get free advertisement because I recommend his shop to anyone that has electronic issues.