front hub question

[D'mon]

While repacking my bearings, I noticed that the splined shaft from my CV shaft going thru the hub has freeplay. As far as I can tell, there is a bushing that this rides in thru the hub to get to the locker on the outside of the hub. Both sides have this freeplay, about the same.

Is this normal, and if not how bad is it to do these bushings? Do they need to be line bored, or can I do them myself? My truck is an 88 4Runner, BTW.

D'mon
{learning things about his Tonka Truck every day}

[reb]

I don't know about the freeplay requirements. Your front end is probably basically the same as my T100. The shop manual shows two bushings on each side. I suspect they are not super critical, otherwise I would expect to see bearings instead of bushings there. The replacement instructions for the bushings are straightforward. It just requires removing the steering knuckle, which looks like a bit of work. BTW, the manual suggests checking the steering knuckle for cracks with a dye penetrant and replacing them if cracked.

[D'mon]

I called my local dealer, seems Mother Toyota has nixed the bushings and "upgraded" the parts list with a whole lotta expensive stuff. Instead of two bushings and a seal, now it has the same outer bushing, two inner bushings sandwiching a needle bearing set, then a seal. It even needs "special" grease, $20 for a small toothpaste tube of it. Total cost: $311 plus taxes, a week to order in.

Tomorrow I'm hitting the wrecker, there's an '88 pickup with good tight bushings so I'm buying the entire spindle assembly from both sides. Seeing as I have to pull the spindle to replace the bearings/bushings, I might as well save some bucks this way. The two spindles will cost me $90, including the ball joints and teh rotors. Good spare parts all around.

Wish me luck!

D'mon

[reb]

I tried unsuccessfully to edit my last post. My manual specifies the steering knuckle thrust clearance should be 0.10 to 0.50mm standard, 1.0mm maximum. That is measured between the steering knuckle outside bushing and the spacer, while pulling on the axle with 22lb force. The recommendation is to replace both bushings if the measurement exceeds the maximum.

[D'mon]

My thrust bushing is fine, well within specs. However, I have free play along the shaft to the tune of 1/32" at the end pulling up and down.

But thanks for the specs.

D'mon

[reb]

I thought that was what you were talking about. What confuses me is that the manual seems to make no mention of freeplay specs. That makes me wonder if it is critical. I have taken apart several front ends and it seems to me that there was always some freeplay like you mention. The thing is, I haven't taken apart the hubs of an independent front suspension. The situation could be different.

[D'mon]

Well, as the snow has been coming down all day I guess I'm going to really give my rebuild a good test. I have about 20 miles of highway to cover, and that is what I got the 4x4 for in the first place! Everything else is just gravy!

Wish me luck!

D'mon