Wheel Bearings

I'm about to replace the front wheel bearings on my early 1995 Tacoma
4x4 with auto locking hubs. I haven't done bearings myself since 1997
and I'm feeling a little lost especially as it's my first time with a
4x4. Can anyone offer any insight as to proceedure, common mistakes,
special tools required etc.? It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Mike

Cleaning and repacking them would be just as good unless they are worn/burt
blue or rusty. If used off road and in water replacement probably good
idea. See:

[url]http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/front_end/bearing/[/url]

"mjv" <pob1133@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1150551972.152741.91140@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> I'm about to replace the front wheel bearings on my early 1995 Tacoma
> 4x4 with auto locking hubs. I haven't done bearings myself since 1997
> and I'm feeling a little lost especially as it's my first time with a
> 4x4. Can anyone offer any insight as to proceedure, common mistakes,
> special tools required etc.? It would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks.
> Mike
>[/color]

"mjv" <pob1133@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1150551972.152741.91140@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> I'm about to replace the front wheel bearings on my early 1995 Tacoma
> 4x4 with auto locking hubs. I haven't done bearings myself since 1997
> and I'm feeling a little lost especially as it's my first time with a
> 4x4. Can anyone offer any insight as to proceedure, common mistakes,
> special tools required etc.? It would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks.
> Mike
>[/color]

A number of people here have mentioned a site where, for a few bucks, you
get on day of access to service manual info. I *think* this is the site -
take a look:
[url]http://www.techinfo.toyota.com/[/url]

On Sat, 17 Jun 2006 10:08:38 -0400, "Wolfgang"
<NOwolfXgang_dieterxSPAM@NOXcox.netNOT> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Cleaning and repacking them would be just as good unless they are worn/burt
>blue or rusty. If used off road and in water replacement probably good
>idea[/color]


THe appearance of the bearings and their smoothness is the main factor
as they can go 200K plus easy if properly lubed and less than 30K if
not. I would not replace them just for the sake of it if the look
good.
-----------------
The SnoMan
[url]www.thesnoman.com[/url]

Thanks for the info. It's been a particularly hard winter on ol' Wanda.
The local forest is void of tourists in the cold, snowy and wet winter.
A lot of water crossings and alot of snow travel. In addition, the left
front wheel has a bit of play so I'll check 'em at the least.
Thanks again to all who've replied.
Mike.

P.S. I've also noticed a "shimmy" when braking hard. Could this be an
idler arm issue?

Wolfgang wrote:[color=blue]
> Cleaning and repacking them would be just as good unless they are worn/burt
> blue or rusty. If used off road and in water replacement probably good
> idea. See:
>
> [url]http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/front_end/bearing/[/url]
>
> "mjv" <pob1133@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1150551972.152741.91140@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> > I'm about to replace the front wheel bearings on my early 1995 Tacoma
> > 4x4 with auto locking hubs. I haven't done bearings myself since 1997
> > and I'm feeling a little lost especially as it's my first time with a
> > 4x4. Can anyone offer any insight as to proceedure, common mistakes,
> > special tools required etc.? It would be greatly appreciated.
> > Thanks.
> > Mike
> >[/color][/color]

[xsacta]

[QUOTE=mjv]I'm about to replace the front wheel bearings on my early 1995 Tacoma
4x4 with auto locking hubs. I haven't done bearings myself since 1997
and I'm feeling a little lost especially as it's my first time with a
4x4. Can anyone offer any insight as to proceedure, common mistakes,
special tools required etc.? It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Mike[/QUOTE]

You haven't mentioned the mileage, so I'll assume it's relatively high. Jack the front of the truck up and rotate the wheels and see if they feel smooth. If you hear or feel a faceted sound(rough) then both bearings and races may need replacement. IMO, replace the bearings and inspect the races. If the races are grooved and uneven replace them too. A bit of a bitch as they're pressed in. AFAIK, there are at least 2 seals per hub that must be replaced also.