so on this 2000 4x2 truck that I just picked up I noticed right away that for some reason, the front right tire is wearing pretty bad on the outside, so I thought it was maybe just the alignment. But I jacked it up and the wheel bearings need replacing, the tire isn't about to fall off or anything.

My question is would a bad wheel bearing cause the outside of the tire to wear, seems to me that a loose wheel bearing would cause the tire to lean toward the truck and the inside of the tire wear.

Just wanted some imput, I'm going to fix it either way after the holidays are over and funds become available.

 

Might be seeing a combination of problems. Bad bearing AND out of alignment. Fix the bearing, make sure the rest of the steering is in good shape, get an alignment, and make sure everything comes back within spec.

 

yea thats what I thought. Also, when I turn and hit a bump simultaneously I hear a pop!! Think it's the same thing? I did a very thorough inspection and can't find anything else that seems worn out.

 

Maybe sway bar links? Or dry joints..... If you have grease fittings, hit 'em with some grease.

 

Outside tire wear and a clunking sound when hitting bumps. I would bet a dollar on ball joint going to hell.

 

On the 4x2 if you have riveted on style ball joints like I do and your still running the OEM, the bottom's get the worst, both of mine had nearly 1/2" of up and down play in the ball stud.

Top ones seem to do okay, but the boots wear out over time...

 

yea my boots on the ball joints are wore out, but honestly the joints themselves seem fine, I'll have to check again (specifacally for up and down movements)

 

I used to hear pop's when I'd turn with the bad joints.

I had a terrible squeak, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCq3xCam4Ew , it was the ball joints. There were very "loose" from the over 140k miles put on them.

 

I would suggest replacing the bearing first as you already know it is bad. Than check ball joints and tie rods. My experience has been when someone has neglected anything, they have neglected everything. If boots are bad on ball joints then there is nothing to keep grease in and to keep dirt and water out- so even if ball joints appear good at the moment they are on the way to failure and need to be replaced soon. Tie rod ends are easy and will save money if you do them yourself. Ball joints cost about $60 or so each, and anywhere aren't $300 in labor. You can do them but plan a day to do them.

 

Oh yea I do everything myself, have all the tools and the know how. The previous owner of the truck said that about a year ago they had spent 900 dollars "rebuilding the front end" I don't know what the shop told him they did, but I don't see any bushings or anything that appear new. And I know that they did spend the money b/c I have a receipt, but just a credit card receipt. Maybe they put new control arm bushings in the truck, b/c they appear to be the best shape out of everything.