brent80111
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2007
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Vehicle Year
- 1996
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Automatic
I own a stock 1996 Eddie Bauer edition Bronco with 110k miles on it. Several months ago I had the local brake shop replace the worn rotor's, and when I got it back I noticed a slight high pitch squeal coming from the front. I tore the front end apart, and found that the inner part of the bearings had been turning on the spindle. I can see where the bearings spun, but I can't feel any wear, and there doesn't appear to be any slop when I fit the new bearing on the spindle. The problem (high pitch squeal) , remains after I put in new bearings and races and tightened them down.
I've learned a lot more than I wanted to know about Ford front ends by reading the Tech Library! I've learned that the factory nut that holds/tightens the bearing is hard to set to the right torque. There is a C clip (retaining clip??) that fits into holes in the nut, and forms around the spindle that that keeps the nut from turning. There are a limited number of holes in the nut, and it seems that the bearings are either too tight, or too loose. Is there anything that can be done about that? If not, how tight can I torque that nut without applying too much pressure on the wheel bearings? Any recommendations to keep the bearings from spinning on the spindle? The new bearings are packed with grease, but seem harder to turn than I would have expected.
Although the spindle doesn't feel worn, I'm suspicious that there has been some wear, and they are now smaller in diameter, and nothing is going to keep the bearings from spinning. I called Ford to see about replacing the spindles, and they claim that the spindles for Bronco made after June 2005 are no longer available. Can this be so? Would Ford have made a unique spindle for only 12-18 months, then discontinue it? I have what appears to be a Dana 44 axle based on part # 610608 (tag on passenger side I beam)
I've kept this Bronco in showroom condition, and want to get this front end problem fixed right. Any suggestions on what I should do?
Thanks,
Brent
I've learned a lot more than I wanted to know about Ford front ends by reading the Tech Library! I've learned that the factory nut that holds/tightens the bearing is hard to set to the right torque. There is a C clip (retaining clip??) that fits into holes in the nut, and forms around the spindle that that keeps the nut from turning. There are a limited number of holes in the nut, and it seems that the bearings are either too tight, or too loose. Is there anything that can be done about that? If not, how tight can I torque that nut without applying too much pressure on the wheel bearings? Any recommendations to keep the bearings from spinning on the spindle? The new bearings are packed with grease, but seem harder to turn than I would have expected.
Although the spindle doesn't feel worn, I'm suspicious that there has been some wear, and they are now smaller in diameter, and nothing is going to keep the bearings from spinning. I called Ford to see about replacing the spindles, and they claim that the spindles for Bronco made after June 2005 are no longer available. Can this be so? Would Ford have made a unique spindle for only 12-18 months, then discontinue it? I have what appears to be a Dana 44 axle based on part # 610608 (tag on passenger side I beam)
I've kept this Bronco in showroom condition, and want to get this front end problem fixed right. Any suggestions on what I should do?
Thanks,
Brent