Is this so simple?

[TordFuglstad]

Hi there!
Is this simply the wheel bearing? Or could it be something more serious? It's a Jeep JLU with Dana 44 narrow and LSD. No lift.

Video here:

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[Phrank]

Sure looks like a wheel bearing to me. Once you get that much up/down play, they usually go completely T.U. pretty quickly.

 

[wibornz]

You replace the whole wheel hub assembly. It is an easy job. Takes about an hour.

 

[Lofty]

Is the bearing making adverse noise while driving? Those wheel ends are supposed to have endplay as you have shown in your video.

 

[Pape]

You replace the whole wheel hub assembly. It is an easy job. Takes about an hour.

Unless the retaining assembly spin on it self than you need a welder. As it look to be the back axle not the front with hub bearing unit

 

[TordFuglstad]

Unless the retaining assembly spin on it self than you need a welder. As it look to be the back axle not the front with hub bearing unit

What do you mean exactly?

 

[TordFuglstad]

Is the bearing making adverse noise while driving? Those wheel ends are supposed to have endplay as you have shown in your video.

There's no noise. Might be some clunk while over very sharp speedbumps. But not sure if it's related to this.

 

[Pape]

What do you mean exactly?

the retaining bolt are press fit and if like the JK, they have a tendency to start spinning when you try to remove the nut on the back side. only way to get it to stop spinning is welding them to the retainer.
Also if you go down that road do your self a favor and weld the new one in place so next time is a simple as just removing the nuts
Depending how much money you want to throw at it, you can get the full assembly that you just need to slide in and bolt. If the bearing race does not stay in the axle tube and you need to "fish it out", that is.

 

[Lofty]

There's no noise. Might be some clunk while over very sharp speedbumps. But not sure if it's related to this.

If it's not making bad noise, I'd leave it alone!

 

[wibornz]

Unless the retaining assembly spin on it self than you need a welder. As it look to be the back axle not the front with hub bearing unit

Did not notice that it was the rear tire. Still an easy fix. I can be a little more complicated as you said, but that is a newer Jeep and does not look like this has been abused in the mud so it will probably come apart pretty easy. I find that if it is difficult to get the axle out. I put the rotor back on the wheel studs backward and only put the lug nuts on a couple threads so I can use the rotor like a slide hammer to remove the axle.

 

[Phrank]

I find that if it is difficult to get the axle out. I put the rotor back on the wheel studs backward and only put the lug nuts on a couple threads so I can use the rotor like a slide hammer to remove the axle.

BRILLIANT!

 

[TordFuglstad]

Thank you all for your insights and replies! Do you think replacing the axle shafts to chromoly shafts is a good fix?
I guess it would also offer a significant upgrade over stock.

I do have a Sahara with Dana 44 Narrow SelecTrac.

 

[mwilk012]

What makes you think there’s something wrong with it?

 

[TordFuglstad]

What makes you think there’s something wrong with it?

Clunking noise and the fact that I can move the wheel on this side, but not the other size. A big difference. You think nothings wrong?

 

[mwilk012]

It doesn’t sound like the wheel bearing is the source of the slack, but that could be a cell phone audio issue. The noise is very sharp. What drove you to lift up the rear wheels and shake them?

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