Front Axle Drive Strengthening

[gotoy]

For some reason my lj70, bundera, seems to be chewing up wheel bearing every few months. I have little idea why this is occuring and have put it down to the amount of time spent offroad at weekends.

So what can I do? Been looking at 80 series axles but the change is too much.

The other option is going for those longfield style shafts, CV's and all the uprated bearings etc needed. Has anyone done this? I would have to order mail order and it scares me to order all the wrong parts. Anyone have a list? Would be most grateful if someone would point me in the right direction.

[hulsty]

Your problem is most probably maintenance and quality of bearings and seals used. Fitting longfields changes nothing with your wheel bearings. Your wheel bearings are the same as other landcruisers, like my BJ74, I get a year or two from each set on the front.

What exactly is going wrong with the bearings?

[yamaha__308]

Large offset or wheel spacers?

[drr]

They should be pretty good if maintained and adjusted correctly. Make sure you replace them with decent bearings and use the correct grease. What size tyres are you running?

[BadMav]

Get the preload right, keep them in check, you should have worry free motoring for years before needing replacement.

[Z()LTAN]

I run more preload than normal and no king pin shims.

They dont last awful long, i ususally break things b4 they wear out.

[gotoy]

The bearing and seals give way. The bearings I use are koyo.

Looking at places like Marlin Crawler I was wondering if I should use their overhauls kits, bearings and seals which they indicate are more robust. Not too interested in the longfields.

[hulsty]

whats your wheel and tyre setup? what fails in the bearings? they get crap into them? or just become really loose or?

[Z()LTAN]

I run almost 10" of offset on each side with crappy aftermarket wheel bearings. They havnt ever 'worn out' they usually go bad from water or get damaged through other breakages.

[Ashley_bmx]

I run more preload than normal and no king pin shims.

They dont last awful long, i ususally break things b4 they wear out.

Honestly, your problem lies here. Too much preload is bad. Creates extra friction. Friction means heat, Heat disperses your Grease away from your Bearings.

Ash

[gotoy]

I am running 33" MT on 15" alloy wheels, no spacers.

or

35" XT on 16" steel rims, no spacers.

Either the axle seals will leak 1st, or the wheel bearing gives way 1st.

[dogbreath_48]

Are you constantly sitting in axle-deep muddy water? If not it sounds like you have assembly problems.

Or is the inner axle seal leaking to such an extent that the oil is washing the grease out of the bearings? It that's the case, try a marlin inner seal and a new brass spindle bush. Otherwise something is bent or swivel housing alignment is waay out.

[gotoy]

Yes, Marlin Crawler may be the solution. Something is giving way.

When I look at this site a little confusing what actually to order:

http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front-axle-parts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dogbreath_48]

Are you constantly sitting in axle-deep muddy water? If not it sounds like you have assembly problems.

Or is the inner axle seal leaking to such an extent that the oil is washing the grease out of the bearings? It that's the case, try a marlin inner seal and a new brass spindle bush. Otherwise something is bent or swivel housing alignment is waay out.

I shouldn't be posting at 5am.

Correction: It's unlikely oil leaking past the inner axle seal will be reaching and washing the wheel bearings. It may however be washing the grease out of CV's.

The oil leak and wheel bearing failure would appear to be completely unrelated.

I believe Marlin only manufacture the up rated inner axle seal - the other seals in the kits on that site are of standard design/quality.

If I were you I'd start with these three:
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front ... l-bearings" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front ... seal-hilux" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front ... le-bushing" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Or maybe one of these:
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front ... l-bearings" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
+the spindle bushes. Don't bother rebuilding the swivel housings if there's nothing wrong with them (i.e. kingpin bearings are still tight) and/or unless you have a reasonable understanding of the job of the kingpin shims.

You may also need a speedy sleeve on the spindle (where the hub seal leaves a groove), or new spindle. Do you use a torque wrench, spring scale and factory specs when setting preload on the bearings? Or is it a case of hammer, screwdriver, re-cycled locking ring and 'calibrated arms'? (not judging, is use the latter system on my rears )

-Stu

[gotoy]

Thanks for the Marlin Crawler info.

Had an emergency repair a few months back using exact method of hammer etc etc, but little choice at the time.

I'll put in an order to Marlins and when arrives do it properly.

Thanks for all the posts everyone.

[gotoy]

Are you constantly sitting in axle-deep muddy water? If not it sounds like you have assembly problems.

Or is the inner axle seal leaking to such an extent that the oil is washing the grease out of the bearings? It that's the case, try a marlin inner seal and a new brass spindle bush. Otherwise something is bent or swivel housing alignment is waay out.

I shouldn't be posting at 5am.

Correction: It's unlikely oil leaking past the inner axle seal will be reaching and washing the wheel bearings. It may however be washing the grease out of CV's.

The oil leak and wheel bearing failure would appear to be completely unrelated.

I believe Marlin only manufacture the up rated inner axle seal - the other seals in the kits on that site are of standard design/quality.

If I were you I'd start with these three:
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front ... l-bearings" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front ... seal-hilux" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front ... le-bushing" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Or maybe one of these:
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front ... l-bearings" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
+the spindle bushes. Don't bother rebuilding the swivel housings if there's nothing wrong with them (i.e. kingpin bearings are still tight) and/or unless you have a reasonable understanding of the job of the kingpin shims.

You may also need a speedy sleeve on the spindle (where the hub seal leaves a groove), or new spindle. Do you use a torque wrench, spring scale and factory specs when setting preload on the bearings? Or is it a case of hammer, screwdriver, re-cycled locking ring and 'calibrated arms'? (not judging, is use the latter system on my rears )

-Stu

What is a speedy sleeve?

[BadMav]

What is a speedy sleeve?

It's a sleeve that slips onto a damaged shaft, particularly where a seal has rubbed a groove into it.

[gotoy]

One thing I noted on MarlinCrawler is Locktup is the Australian distributor.......but the price differences between the 2 are quite significant!!!!

[Z()LTAN]

exchange rate + shipping +Profit

The prices are about right mate

[gotoy]

exchange rate + shipping +Profit

The prices are about right mate

I am in Malaysia. The exchange rate between for USD and AS is more or less the same. So Marlin prices are better, but the shipping maybe higher.

[Z()LTAN]

exchange rate + shipping +Profit

The prices are about right mate

I am in Malaysia. The exchange rate between for USD and AS is more or less the same. So Marlin prices are better, but the shipping maybe higher.

Thats a pity... Locktup have free shipping in aust and last time I was there they had hundreds of marlin seals in stock. When you ring Locktup you always get an answer, you can talk direct to the owner and he always gets everything sorted.

[gotoy]

exchange rate + shipping +Profit

The prices are about right mate

I am in Malaysia. The exchange rate between for USD and AS is more or less the same. So Marlin prices are better, but the shipping maybe higher.

Thats a pity... Locktup have free shipping in aust and last time I was there they had hundreds of marlin seals in stock. When you ring Locktup you always get an answer, you can talk direct to the owner and he always gets everything sorted.

I have emailed Marlin before, but not much of a response. Locktup would be better as probably more experiance with the LJ70 or bundera.