Converting a 2wd 2006 spindle to fit a 4wd 2002

i recently converted a set of 2006 2wd spindles to fit my 4wd 2002 tundra. i pressed out the bearings and hub and pressed in new bearings and my 2002 4wd hub. thats it. i have a growling(ish) noise that lightly vibrates the cab at 30+ mph (nothing before) and the tire doesnt make any noise when its lifted and rotated (suspension is tight and so is the wheel bearing. also for context the entire frond end is brand new). can someone double check my work i think i did it right but i could have missed something

 

Does the growl or vibration change at all when you go around long sweeping corners or when you saw the steering wheel back and forth (while going 30+ mph)?

 

going left or right it doesnt affect the growl. when i go faster the growl gets faster (the rhythm of the growth that is) and the steering wheels tight. theres 2 steering rack bushings that look toast (i replaced the big one on the far right)
i deleted the sway bar (and put ome up front to compensate) so it cant be the end links either. it wont let me post a video of the steering rack play but it definitely moved around a bit when turning left and right and i do feel a little floaty on the highway despite having and entire new front end.i have had it go away on the highway for a couple seconds

 

What bearings did you use? Why the 2wd spindle conversion?

 

Sadly, you are describing a bad wheel bearing.

 

I'm curious. Is this common practice? Why not use bearings and spindles for a 4WD? Seems there's lot's of opportunities for things to go sideways (figuratively and literally).

 

Where are you located. Maybe another member is nearby? Assume you made the swap to upgrade your LBJs and brakes to the larger versions? When you pressed in the bearings were you careful to apply the pressure on to the outer race? Also did you freeze the bearing and heat the spindle?

 

ALL 2wd and 4wd wheel bearings are the same. 2004-2006 2wd and 4wd spindles are also the same. ALL 2wd and 4wd hubs are different.

The 2004-06 spindles (knuckles) have a larger bolt pattern that will accept the larger style ball joints. An upgrade for the 2000-2003 trucks is to swap over 2004-2006 lower control arms, spindles, and ball joints.

 

The Energy Suspension 8.10104G kit is quite affordable. I prefer the black bushings since they "may" be impregnated with graphite.

https://teamenergysuspension.com/product/energy-suspension-8-10104g-steering-rack-bushing-set/

 

im located in orlando, florida. i didnt heat or freeze anything just pressed out the old ones and in the new ones. i got the 4wd bearings and seals. no play up down left right too and when i free spin the tire no noises either

 

but theres no play in it left right up down and it was brand new. when i free spin the tire no noises either. do you think it was damaged and/or not installed correctly?

 

I replaced the front wheel unit bearing assembly in my friend’s Chebby Tahoe last month. There was zero play in it when i had it up in the air. There was also zero noise when i spun the tire by hand. Also zero noise when i had it in 4wd with the tires spinning (also while up in the air). It was only noticeable while being driven in the ground at over 30mph. The sound did change a bit when going around sharp corners though. My friend bought a replacement unit bearing assembly at NAPA, and once installed the sound disappeared.

 

I’ve seen and been told about bad bearings brand new. Brand makes a big difference.

 

Did not know this. Thanks.

 

i used cheap wheel bearings. have any recommendations?

 

i did use cheapy wheel bearings.. whats a brand you recommend?

 

Koyo, OE or Timken.

 

Koyo is the OEM supplier for these

Timken used to be the bees knees

Hit or miss these days it seems




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