well, gotta wait for my 1/2in torque wrench to get her before i check this out. Gotta be able to torque everything back to proper spec.

The fsm says to pack with grease, but doing some google searches a lot of people say the bearings are lubed by the gear oil. i figure ill be able to tell when i take them apart. Probably go with the fsm.

I will jack the rear wheels up and see if there is anything really noticeable.

 

Ham Bone,
You can torque them to spec or go by feel. I'm an old school mechanic so I go by feel.

YES YES YES pack those axle bearings with grease. I had to replace a whole rear axle assembly in a motorhome because of not packing the axle bearings with grease. I had been taught that they were lubed by the gear oil also so never pack them. Motorhome came into my shop for a leaking axle seal so I swapped out the old seal and slapped her back together. Motorhome got 40 miles down the road and the right side bearings froze up. Not a pretty sight and expensive for the shop I worked in. Needless to say I didn't get any pay raise's for a while.

The inner bearing is tightened snug as you are spinning the hub. Then you need to tighten the nut 1 to 1 1/2 revolution past to seat the bearings. Then back off 1/2 to 3/4 turn. Then you put the lock plate in and tighten the outer nut using the German torque system. You tighten it Gutten tight!!!

 

Ok I'll just check them out early this week. Gotta make sure the parts store have them first in case I need to replace them.

I've seen that these things normally don't go bad. But stranger things have happened. Also I'm not sure of the exact mileage on my axles.

 

Alright update time. And i think I MIGHT have found my problem

Very recently i have gotten a small clunk in my steering. It only happens at lower speeds and when turning right or left after it being straight. Hope that makes sense.

Well got my dad to help me by turning the wheel while i looked under there.

everything seemed nice and tight. Slop in the gear box but the shaft was tight on there.

And then i noticed the track bar moving...... Hitting side to side. The clunk will shake the whole truck. Also i have a squeak/groan that sounds exactly like a bad bushing when turning at these lower speeds.

i didnt have time to check if the bolt was loose, but something there definitely is.

So could the vibration from driving 60-70 cause the the loose trac bar to just hit side to side because its loose? You could describe the sound as more of a binding up/knocking but it could be described as a grinding too.

All i know is i need to get this track bar addressed asap.

Suggestions?

I was thinking a moog replacement would be fine for my needs. No jacking the truck up in my immediate plans. I know there are lots of options and ive thought about the third gen conversion but not too sure abut trusting the bracket needed.

 

Which end is loose? if it's the axle end, there is just a bushing in there, and you might be able to just tighten it up. If its the frame side, there is a joint there. (lot like a ball joint) If that is sloppy, replacement is the only answer.

Good time to upgrade to the third-gen style track bar. Bushings on both ends. Last a hell of a lot longer than the 2nd gen style.

 

pretty sure its the axle end. Even if i can tighten it up i would like to upgrade or replace. Got a link for the third gen?

Didnt have time to check we had a massive storm system come through and i got drenched haha

 

There's this one, but, its a bit pricey. There are others out there.

 

yeah i dont have 400 bucks for this at the moment haha

 

Hey you is right on the second Gen and it's parts. On mine, I installed San adjustable bar, only because the two inch spring spacers through the front over. I know nothing about the Gen three. How would you mount it to the axle if it doesn't have the bushing... Fab something?

 

well they make a bracket that bolts to the frame and has the end for the bushing.

but what do you guys think about this maybe being my grinding/noise problem