front end shimmy,shake,or vibration 78 bronco

[Neldog]

I went wheeling today in a small mud hole near my home. Went through the first time in two wheel drive and when going back through my friend said go right a little bit. When I did we had to put it in four wheel drive and what a pain to get out of the mud. Someone had dug a nice rut and now my front drivers side wheel wobbles at about 25 to 30 mph. I believe the front wheel bearing on this side came loose. I am wanting to know if anybody has any ideas on this? The lug nuts are tight And I don't see any front end problems. My friend watched my front end for me and saw the front drivers side wheel wobbling only. Also what special tools are needed for the job of removing the locknut and adjusting nut from the spindle so I can look at the bearings and such?

Thanx Lee

 

[BlueThunder]

I went wheeling today in a small mud hole near my home. Went through the first time in two wheel drive and when going back through my friend said go right a little bit. When I did we had to put it in four wheel drive and what a pain to get out of the mud. Someone had dug a nice rut and now my front drivers side wheel wobbles at about 25 to 30 mph. I believe the front wheel bearing on this side came loose. I am wanting to know if anybody has any ideas on this? The lug nuts are tight And I don't see any front end problems. My friend watched my front end for me and saw the front drivers side wheel wobbling only. Also what special tools are needed for the job of removing the locknut and adjusting nut from the spindle so I can look at the bearings and such?Thanx Lee

I am having a very similar problem and its probably the same problem...but i was wondering the same questions as you....any help any one?

 

[89Bronco58]

take the 6 allen head bolts out of the hub cover, remove the cover, you have a ring on the axle u need snap ring pliers to get off, and another ring in the hub case i guess its called itself, that ones tough but just get some picks and you will get it, after that, slide the hub out and set it somewhere clean, you have to get a ford hub tool for the nut, once the hub is out you will see a odd looking nut inside, just put the ford dana 44 hub socket tool on, and tighten it up, check your wheel to make sure it still spins freely to avoid overtightening, reassemble and that should fix the problem

 

[89Bronco58]

i forgot to mention that the spindel nut is actually a double nut with a lock washed in between, so actually you have to remove the outter nut and washer and then tighten up the inner nut, sorry must have had a brain fart on that one, i thought i mentioned this

 

[crowebait]

loose bushing in the track arm can cause a front end shimmy as well, specially if you have mud throwing the wheels out of balance. I had this problem on my 78 after busting some snow drifts, snow had built up in one part of the wheel, that with the worn track arm bushings and i couldn't hardly hold on to the wheel at about the speeds your talking =(

 

[Justbust1n]

axle pivot bushling... had to replace mine check and see

 

[BlueThunder]

Ball joints and bearings...