Wheel Bearings - Front

[dieselscout80]

Yesterday I serviced my truck and I wanted to check my ball joints as it has almost 95k miles on it.

I grabbed the tires and shook them and I could feel some movement on both sides in the vertical plane.

However, when I had my son shake them there was no movement in the ball joints on either side. When movement in the horizontal axis the other side tire move right way so I believe that the tie rods and drag link are still tight.

So I think the only other thing that could cause that movement is the wheel bearings does that make sense.

What is the best brand of wheel bearings?

Has anyone used either of these (longest warranty I’ve noted to date):

Mevotech TTX TXF25326 Lifetime Warranty @ Rock Auto

Duralast Gold Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly - DLG515206 - 5 Year Warranty

Not sure how a warranty replacement works with Rock Auto. The AutoZone is a local warranty thing.

 

[bm02tj]

I will pay more and get SKF as most life time warranty's are a cost of doing business
After you pay shipping to return and supply the labour is it worth it

 

[dieselscout80]

Where are you finding the SKS wheel hub assemblies?

 

[Jas34]

Before you start throwing parts at it, check things the correct way. You didn't mention this, but to check your ball joints you should have a jack supporting the weight of the truck under the lower control arm on the side you're checking. Then it should be a pretty simple thing to have one person move the wheel in and out and up and down vertically then horizontally while someone looks at the steering knuckle and tie rods to see what's moving. You could get fancy and use a dial indicator and compare to specs but that's usually not necessary. Just don't use a prybar with the car up in the air. That's how the aligment guys claim all the ball joints they check are bad.

 

[BenchTest]

Yesterday I serviced my truck and I wanted to check my ball joints as it has almost 95k miles on it.

I grabbed the tires and shook them and I could feel some movement on both sides in the vertical plane.

However, when I had my son shake them there was no movement in the ball joints on either side. When movement in the horizontal axis the other side tire move right way so I believe that the tie rods and drag link are still tight.

So I think the only other thing that could cause that movement is the wheel bearings does that make sense.

What is the best brand of wheel bearings?

Has anyone used either of these (longest warranty I’ve noted to date):

Mevotech TTX TXF25326 Lifetime Warranty @ Rock Auto

Duralast Gold Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly - DLG515206 - 5 Year Warranty

Not sure how a warranty replacement works with Rock Auto. The AutoZone is a local warranty thing.

I've had good experiences with Mevotech Supreme. I've installed them on several vehicles. I just put a set on a vehicle for somebody 3 days ago as well. Duralast anything can be hit/miss no matter what "grade" of part you get from them. Some of their stuff is just fine and some is quite junky, even within the same part #.

 

[dieselscout80]

Before you start throwing parts at it, check things the correct way. You didn't mention this, but to check your ball joints you should have a jack supporting the weight of the truck under the lower control arm on the side you're checking. Then it should be a pretty simple thing to have one person move the wheel in and out and up and down vertically then horizontally while someone looks at the steering knuckle and tie rods to see what's moving. You could get fancy and use a dial indicator and compare to specs but that's usually not necessary. Just don't use a prybar with the car up in the air. That's how the aligment guys claim all the ball joints they check are bad.

The truck was jacked up and supported at the lower control arms (radius arms).

There was no movement in the ball joints.

Also, today I drove it in circles (almost at steering lock) in both directions and I didn’t hear (windows down) anything like grinding or howling although the speeds were sub 10 mph.

I did feel some light grabbing almost like it was in 4wd (no it was NOT in 4x4), but much less pronounced.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

.

 

[dieselscout80]

I know it’s a 2500 so it doesn’t have control arms, but it does have radius arms.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

I know it’s a 2500 so it doesn’t have control arms, but it does have radius arms.

Then why did you say control arms in post #6?

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

The truck was jacked up and supported at the lower control arms (radius arms).

There was no movement in the ball joints.

Also, today I drove it in circles (almost at steering lock) in both directions and I didn’t hear (windows down) anything like grinding or howling although the speeds were sub 10 mph.

I did feel some light grabbing almost like it was in 4wd (no it was NOT in 4x4), but much less pronounced.

Fyi. Control arms are different from radius arms.

 

[dieselscout80]

Thanks I know it’s a 2500 and they only have radius arms.

I only trying to convey that I had it in the air when I checked the ball joints/ wheel bearings because someone else mentioned control arms. His statement about how to check it was correct.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Yes I know it’s a 2500 and they only have radius arms.

I only trying to convey that I had it in the air when I checked the ball joints/ wheel bearings.

Only 4x4 2500s have radius arms. And they don’t have ball joints.
Sounds like you have a 2wd 2500, correct?

 

[dieselscout80]

Only 4x4 2500s have radius arms. And they don’t have ball joints.
Sounds like you have a 2wd 2500, correct?

No it’s a 4x4.

It’s not a kingpin axle.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

No it’s a 4x4.

It’s not a kingpin axle.

True. But they are not ball joints either. The knuckles only move side to side, not up and down as well.

 

[olyelr]

True. But they are not ball joints either. The knuckles only move side to side, not up and down as well.

Wuhhhh? 2500’s definitely have ball joints. Top and bottom on each side.

 

[olyelr]

OP, for what its worth, my ‘16 power wagon had very minor wiggle/play just as you have stated, when i first rotated the tires at 2500 miles. Its now got 9 years and 127k miles on it and still has this minor play. Has not gotten worse.

When the tire is hanging in the air (essentially from the ball joints), i believe it is not uncommon to have a very small amount of play in the upper ball joint. It was very difficult to see, especially when you are the one wiggling the tire, but that is where the play was in my truck from day one.

 

[olyelr]

Then why did you say control arms in post #6?

If you read right after he wrote control arms, he also wrote (radius arms).

 

[dieselscout80]

OP, for what its worth, my ‘16 power wagon had very minor wiggle/play just as you have stated, when i first rotated the tires at 2500 miles. Its now got 9 years and 127k miles on it and still has this minor play. Has not gotten worse.

When the tire is hanging in the air (essentially from the ball joints), i believe it is not uncommon to have a very small amount of play in the upper ball joint. It was very difficult to see, especially when you are the one wiggling the tire, but that is where the play was in my truck from day one.

Thanks!!

Maybe I will just monitor them for another oil change or two.

 

[bm02tj]

Where are you finding the SKS wheel hub assemblies?

That should be SKF and get the part number off Rockauto site then search it

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

If you read right after he wrote control arms, he also wrote (radius arms).

True. Which implies they are the same thing, which they’re not.
Control arms are used on independent suspension systems. Radius arms are used on solid axle muli-link suspension systems.