Drive 1K Miles On A Bad Wheel Bearing?

[minisub]

Noticed a real bad squeak from the drivers wheel on Monday. Jacked it up today and its definitely the wheel bearing - easily a 1/2" play rocking top to bottom.

Got two new bearing units on order, but no way to get them in before I was going to do a 450 mile "errand" on Thurs and then a 300 mile road trip on Sat. I already did about 250 miles this past week.

From what I understand, the wheel isn't going anywhere and there is little chance of a catastrophic failure.

But just to be safe, does anyone think I shouldn't put another 750+ miles on this thing before changing the wheel bearing out?

And the Thursday "errand" would be the wife going alone - I do not want her stuck 200+ miles from home....:thumb:

 

[Akdiesel]

While it's definiitely not suggested I had a bad wheel bearing that I too wasn't able to replace for a good amount of miles and I'm still kickin to tell the story. However, get her fixed as soon as time allows

 

[wikdlmm]

I believe it can lock the wheel down out of no where.

 

[05' Ditry Duramax]

The wheel can lock up. I would try and get a cheapy to toss on it. I wouldn't send my wife out on a wheel bearing that is that bad.

 

[Kat]

I wouldn't send my wife out on a wheel bearing that is that bad.

I just asked Pat if he would let me drive that far on a bad wheel bearing he said no. He said he would, but wouldn't let me.

Blue's was 2 inch's the first time we swapped it

 

[minisub]

Thanks for the input.

Truck will stay parked until I swap it out.

Should get the parts on Thursday, so I should at least be able to get the bad one changed that night after work. I am sure the right side isn't far behind, that can wait until Labor Day.

Now I just need to go read Kat's great DIY post one more time....

 

[Schwinn68]

that's probably the right choice. I drove longer than I wanted to on bearings with about the same play as you had but I didn't have much choice with the hours I was working at the time. It turned out just fine but the truck would really wander all over the road with the worn out bearings. You might also find that they're not that hard to change, especially if you follow the very thorough diy on this site. The second one took half the time as the first one when I did it. Make sure you have a 1/2" breaker bar and a cheater or maybe an impact and you should be fine.

 

[05' Ditry Duramax]

Do you have a 36mm deep socket?

 

[CamaroZ]

I'd play it safe and replace it. If you have done your share of GM bolt in wheel bearings, I don't see why you can't do it in under an hour. Just don't forget the BFH

 

[minisub]

Do you have a 36mm deep socket?

I will by Thursday

I'd play it safe and replace it. If you have done your share of GM bolt in wheel bearings, I don't see why you can't do it in under an hour. Just don't forget the BFH

Super. I will plan on 3 hours then....

 

[Sledhead]

I am sure the right side isn't far behind, that can wait until Labor Day.

2WD or 4WD? I was told from a GM tech when I did my front hub (130 km)that they fail at random. Now at 190km on the original other side.

Don't forget to save the speed sensor off the core for the junk drawer.

 

[Kat]

2WD or 4WD? I was told from a GM tech when I did my front hub (130 km)that they fail at random. Now at 190km on the original other side.

Don't forget to save the speed sensor off the core for the junk drawer.

Your pretty lucky. Ours have always failed a couple thousands miles of each other. Seems they fail faster when 4wd launches are involved :cool2: We always keep an extra set on hand. We even where taking them with us to the LSR events. That is one of the things Robert or Pat checked after each run.

 

[Noreaster]

Do you have a 36mm deep socket?

doesn't need to be deep

 

[CamaroZ]

doesn't need to be deep

I agree. Don't go out of your way to find one.

 

[minisub]

....

Don't forget to save the speed sensor off the core for the junk drawer.

.... Seems they fail faster when 4wd launches are involved :cool2: We always keep an extra set on hand. We even where taking them with us to the LSR events. That is one of the things Robert or Pat checked after each run.

4WD launches? I guess the 12 to 15 sled pulls and dozen 1/4 miles passes would qualify, but its not much.

If the right side is still good, I'll keep it on hand as a spare with the wheel speed sensor from the bad one (good suggestion).

doesn't need to be deep

I agree. Don't go out of your way to find one.

I am pretty sure I have one somewhere. In the fog of my memory, I do vaguely recall loaning it to a neighbor. Does anyone know if an F-150 would need a 36mm socket for front end work? If so, I am going to need to track him down as I do not recall ever getting it back.

 

[Noreaster]

Sears sells a 36mm in 1/2" drive or can use a 1 3/8"

 

[Schwinn68]

Sears sells a 36mm in 1/2" drive or can use a 1 3/8"

so does autozone and it's 20.00 that's where I got mine