Wheel and tire about to fall off!

zdatdodge · Post by **zdatdodge** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 4:52 pm

I was driving around when I started hearing a weird clicking noise. Then it felt like I was losing my steering. I pulled over and nothing appeared loose. It got worse and felt like the tire was going to fall off by the time I got home. I lifted the front end and now it appears the wheel is bolted to the brake drum but I can move the drum from side to side at least 4 inches so something seems to be broken. Bearings?
Is this a common thing on the 68 d100?
If anyone has got tips/tricks let me know.
Thanks
Looks like this is going to push the disc brake conversion up to the front in priorities.

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:16 pm

It sounds like you lost the wheel bearings. Bad. I'm gonna have to call you lucky you made it home with that much play. Let us know if I can call you lucky lucky, if you didn't get the spindle, or lucky lucky lucky if you didn't get the hub.
Good luck.

66patrick · Post by **66patrick** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:34 pm

You definitely trashed the bearings, as a minumum! Had that happen on a '57 C-hevy truck I had once. Front end felt loose, pulled into the driveway and the tire/wheel, drum, and hub came off right there in the driveway! The bearings were just dust, and the spindle was glowing red!

Ever since, on EVERY used vehicle I've ever owned, I pull all four drums/discs and check things out.

dashshifter · Post by **dashshifter** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 8:39 pm

I ran into the same thing today. I got home from work only to have my son tell me he drove my LeBaron to pick up some smokes. He heard funny noises and the steering and brakes were weird feeling. To make a long story dull, outer bearing took a dive. O'Reilleys to the rescue. One hour and $24 later new inner and outer bearings and a new seal. It's all good now.

Post by **cowboy** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:10 pm

well lucky it's only common if you never grease the bearings , or at least check them every now & then & yes your very lucky you drove it home with out it locking up or comming off & hitting someone

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 11:43 am

Well, howabout it Zdatdodge, are you 1, 2, or 3 Lucky?
let us know.

zdatdodge · Post by **zdatdodge** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:26 pm

I dont know yet, Im keeping it intact long enough to drive her up into the garage. Before I can do that I have to finish a kitchen cabinet project thats taking up space. Then at that point I have to decide which way to go, seems like a good time to do at least a disc brake conversion.
Maybe I'll take some pics and post them for something interesting to look at.

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:02 pm

Ok, You'll have enough warm weather left to do it without being uncomfortable. Although I awoke to mid 30's this morning and the wind blew hard all day today. which made it very cold. Good luck with the cabinets and keep us posted.
Freezin my

off.
I'm just glad I don't live any further north like alot of these other
guys here on the post. I wouldn't be able to take it.
Yeah I know guys, I guess I got soft after I moved down here from the Chesapeak Bay 30+ years ago.

Website · Post by **wideblock** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:05 pm

if the drum is moving on the spindle, then you trashed a bearing, if the whole spindle is moving, you broke a king pin. in either case, id say your the 3 times lucky to have gotten home.

zdatdodge · Post by **zdatdodge** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:43 am

I have to say that I am lucky lucky lucky.
I finally got the drums off and it looks like both spindles are fine.
The spindle with the blown bearing was just starting to blue from the heat build up. Other than that it looks ok so Im continuing disassembly to put on my aaj brake kit.

MountainMoparRobin · Post by **MountainMoparRobin** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:14 am

don't forget the pictures

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:04 pm

I can call you Lucky, Lucky, Lucky now!

Post by **cowboy** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:19 am

Yep real lucky lucky lucky

good to see you cought it in time

zdatdodge · Post by **zdatdodge** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:34 pm

The only thing keeping me from finishing my aaj brake conversion is I have to thread the bottom holes of the spindle ears and steering arms.
I want to take the spindle ears off to do this. So far what is holding me up is the king pins do not want to move. Is something holding them in? Im wondering if Im creating more work trying to take them off instead of just removing the whole axle. They seem to be tight with no play so its not like I need to replace them anyways and Im afraid I will do some damage trying to force them out and then wont be able to reuse them.
Anyone got tips or tricks?

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:47 pm

If you try driving them out, excessive force or blow energy will mushroom the top of the kingpin and you'll have to replace them, then that will be alot of work, getting new pins, bushings, haveing the bushings installed and matched to the pins by a machine shop as best to my memory, I've only done a couple sets over 20 years ago.
I would tap in on the truck if it was me.

TimLG · Post by **TimLG** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:32 pm

My kingpins had a set screw with a jam nut holding the kingpin in the housing.

zdatdodge · Post by **zdatdodge** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:42 am

Mine had a wedged pin into the side of the king pins holding them in place.Could barely see them.
Finally got it all apart and so now it should be a little bit smoother putting it back together,provided I have the time to do it.