Wheel Bearings Gone Bad? ( Video Help )

[Petros]

some people spray penetrating oil on the joints, though that seems like a bad idea. the grease would get diluted and not stay in place. if the grease is dried up the bearing surface is already damaged. Despite what the FSM says, the u-joints can be driven out and repacked with fresh grease if there is no wear in them, but once it is out you might as well install a new one. You just have to stake the new u-joint by using a punch around the perimeter of each bearing cap.

I may have a spare drive shaft with a good center bearing, and mostly good U-joints I would consider selling. Is yours so bad you want to replace the whole assembly?

[marlinh]

Have you ever found a number for the u joints? I tried the local aftermarket place and they couldn't find a listing of a part number.

[TominMO]

some people spray penetrating oil on the joints, though that seems like a bad idea. the grease would get diluted and not stay in place. if the grease is dried up the bearing surface is already damaged. Despite what the FSM says, the u-joints can be driven out and repacked with fresh grease if there is no wear in them, but once it is out you might as well install a new one. You just have to stake the new u-joint by using a punch around the perimeter of each bearing cap.

I may have a spare drive shaft with a good center bearing, and mostly good U-joints I would consider selling. Is yours so bad you want to replace the whole assembly?

Agree that penetrating oil would be a bad idea. As marlinh asked, is there a part # for new ones? I note that the other Tom in STL had a reman shaft made, with new u-joints with grease fittings. So the reman source can obviously get them. Would be nice to snag some of those new improved u-joints without paying for a whole shaft.

I am just looking at upcoming repairs down the road, inspecting and getting to know the vehicle. When I bought a new '87 SR5 in fall '86, I didn't really get to know it. It was brand new, and I sold it three years later in Romania for what I paid for it, to a Yugoslav diplomat. (I was working in the US Embassy's Defense Attache Office in Bucharest, Romania; I'm retired Army).

[ARCHINSTL]

I didn't have a reman shaft made, per se - it was in stock in PI's TX location. At the time (Aug. '10), it had over 50 for our wagon in the CA warehouse (!).
Tom M.

[TominMO]

I didn't have a reman shaft made, per se - it was in stock in PI's TX location. At the time (Aug. '10), it had over 50 for our wagon in the CA warehouse (!).
Tom M.

Right, I know, I just worded it badly....I'm amazed they had so many ready to go!

BTW how about a mini-meet this weekend? I'm free Sunday 10AM - 3PM.

[ARCHINSTL]

BTW how about a mini-meet this weekend? I'm free Sunday 10AM - 3PM.

See PM.
Tom M.