Front wheel becomes difficult to turn after bearing replacement?

[michaelmiller85]

I've got a 93 L. I replaced a bearing and repacked all the other bearings. Replaced the seals on both inner and outer on both sides. When I finished pressing everything back together one was smooth but difficult to turn and the other was easy to turn until I tightened up the axle nut.

I did remember to put the spacers back on. Could this be caused possibly from the seals somehow?

THanks. Any tips are very much appreciated.

Michael

[FestYboy]

this could be a result of lower quality bearings or excessive axle nut torque.

BTW is this front or rear bearings?

[michaelmiller85]

front bearings. I haven't done to many front wheel bearings, but think that maybe the outer seat is being the culprit. On the front left wheel assembly it was stiff simply after pressing the bearings and everything together. The front right assembly, the actual assembly was kind of loose until I hand tightened the axle nut, after which became more difficult to turn.

[crazyrog17]

You may have pressed a bearing in crooked. That'd make it difficult to spin the hub/wheel for sure.

[WmWatt]

Sorry, I thought I read steering is tight. That would be overtightened tie rod end.

Sure you did not mix up the preaload spacers? When I did mine I wired the spacer to the hub as soon as the wheel was pulled apart. Overcautious.

I don't think it would be the seals. If so they would wear in. When I put mine back together one was stiff until I put in on the car and rolled it up and down the driveway. Weight of the car seated everything. Then I re-checkled the torque on the axle nuts.

[nitrofarm]

front bearings. I haven't done to many front wheel bearings, but think that maybe the outer seat is being the culprit. On the front left wheel assembly it was stiff simply after pressing the bearings and everything together. The front right assembly, the actual assembly was kind of loose until I hand tightened the axle nut, after which became more difficult to turn.

We are going to assume that you didnt mix up spacers. So with that being said,what tooling did you use to press the bearing onto the Hub? If you used tooilng that doesnt push on the very inner portion of bearing cage.You can damage the bearing. This could give you the symptom you are describing.You probally dont want to hear this.But you should disassemble that side & inspect the bearings. Better yet,would be checking the preload per the Factory Repair Manual.
edit----Just thought of this after posting.If you didnt fully seat your Race's (You did replace them right?) This would give the same symptom also.

[FestYboy]

Sorry, I thought I read steering is tight. That would be overtightened tie rod end.

ummm, how woud that affect steering effort?

as for the turning effort, i would run up and down the block once and re-check. the bearings may just need to seat. the axle nuts should not have seen more than 140 lb-ft.

[michaelmiller85]

I can't remember also, but the left wheel, which is the stiffer one requires a slight/light couple taps with a small hammer to get the axle to slide out. The passenger side simply slides right out.

[FestYboy]

^ that's not uncommon and has no (excuse the pun) bearing on the hub and the worked you performed.

[michaelmiller85]

I'm uncertain of what you are saying. Is it ok then? Please clarify.

[nitrofarm]

I'm uncertain of what you are saying. Is it ok then? Please clarify.

Maybe someone else can chime in here.......

[htchbck]

^ that's not uncommon and has no (excuse the pun) bearing on the hub and the worked you performed.

He's saying that many axles have to be tapped slightly with a hammer to be removed from the hub, and that yours needing a little tap with the hammer isn't a problem

[michaelmiller85]

I drove it this morning and then rechecked how freely the wheels turned. Everything checked out and turns freely! Thanks for all the help

[FestYboy]

He's saying that many axles have to be tapped slightly with a hammer to be removed from the hub, and that yours needing a little tap with the hammer isn't a problem

precisely!

[nitrofarm]

He's saying that many axles have to be tapped slightly with a hammer to be removed from the hub, and that yours needing a little tap with the hammer isn't a problem

Thanks htch