I plan to tackle this for the first time and have done my research on this site with all the great info! Still a couple questions after reading the shop manual -

1 - Why do they say, if necessary replace the wheel pin (I take it they mean wheel lug nut studs) - why would this be need to be done?
2 - Are the tool drivers for snap rings & shims necessary? None of the forum procedures I've found mention this.
3 - Are the shims necessary?
4 - At 130K miles, should I just get new bearings instead of reusing the old? I take it they are cheap?

Thanks - any other hints welcome!

well I priced my bearings and they were around 60 a piece and there is 4 of them for the front and 2 i think for the back. all the other questions im not sure about but I would like to know for I am doing the same thing right now.

isuzu wheel studs are known for getting stripped. some say it's because of the fine thread and the heavy handed use of pneumatic tools. in any case, now's the time to replace them (if they need it) while you have everything off. if you can't turn your lug nuts on and off by hand (after they are loose), and they won't clean up with a thread chaser or die, then you should consider replacing the studs (and maybe the lug nuts too). be warned: they are not cheap.
replace *if* necessary, which will come from inspection. metal shavings, specks; heat coloration of the races or bearing; galling or other problems with the races; etc all would indicate replacing. otherwise they should be good. if you are concerned, you might want to have them on hand. i personally like to replace both sides at the same time, even if only one side *needs* to be replaced.
this timken bearing site has some good info for the novice bearing inspector/replacer
http://www.timken.com/industries/automotive/autoaftermarket/index.asp
click on Automotive TECH TIPS.




//bc

Thanks for those tips!

Let me ask philosophical question here: My local mechanic and friend suggests this job is "over my head" and really not necessary - "if it ain't broke don't fix it." In fact he said he'd prefer not to tangle with bearings as he's had experince where even with all his tools and knowledge they've ended up whining and had to be re-done. Hence his advice to me.

Now mind you he may be speaking from expereince and practicality - I am doing this kind of stuff to learn since it is becoming a hobby for me. However, the Trooper is my wifes car and since it may take me longer than the average guy and I may hit troubles I can't solve right away it could take a while. Last year with the help of this forum, and my mechanic friend I did the timing belt - though he said that was over my head too.

Just curious as to your thoughts here - I realize everyone's situation is different, but looking at it from a needs to be done point of view and learning as you go, I'd like to hear what you think.

In fact he said he'd prefer not to tangle with bearings as he's had experince where even with all his tools and knowledge they've ended up whining and had to be re-done.

Then he is incompetent. Sorry, but if a mechanic cannot do a basic bearing repack, he needs to seek out some continuing education so he can figure it out. Packing bearings is something that I would not hesitate to run out and do right now. It is easy and never a bad idea as part of some sort of maintience schedule.

That said, I have a feeling your friend either cut corners (some smaller bearings and/or abused vehicles probably should replace the bearings as good measure) or he did not fully inspect the bearings (or mixed them up and put them with the wrong cones) and they either made noise or failed. Actually, if they were making noise, they did fail.

I also suspect that he does not have the slightest clue how hefty the Isuzu bearings are. They are HUGE. I am also not sure where the "Don't fix it if it isn't broke" mentality comes from. I guess he prefers to wait until they seize and take out the hub and spindle and leave you by the side of the road. It really is a much better bit of advice for his pocketbook.

That said, just do it. Take it apart. Keep everything in order. Clean all the old grease out of the bearings and the hub. Don't forget a new wheel seal on the back of the hub (but only after you put the repacked bearing in the hub). Pack those bearings very very very well with new grease (seriously, push grease until you think you have it and then push some more through). Put it all back together. Tighen that nut down, spin the hub to distribute the grease. Back it off. Tighten it until it is set with a pull-type scale and be on your way.

Good Luck,
Michael

Michael - I really appreciate your opinion. It certainly seems to me your are correct becuase as I think about it, if it was such a nightmare then why make it a regularly scheduled maintenance right? If Isuzu says do it, it must be required. I do know my friend is "cheap" - no offense but he always professes this and is trying to save a buck whether it buying a car or used tools. Regardless of how or why is maintains such opinions, I will tackle this and let you know before I start - I'll be counting on you and the others for any help!

Alos, if you can, take a look at my questions 2 & 3 above regarding shims & tool drivers, I just want be as prepared as possible. Thanks!

Alos, if you can, take a look at my questions 2 & 3 above regarding shims & tool drivers

I am not sure what you mean by a "tool driver". You can use a seal driver, but I find a block of wood and a mallet to suffice to install the wheel seal.

As for shims, again. Not quite sure. I assum you mean the ones that go on the ends of the axles. You don't "need" shims, but you do need to put whatever ones that were on there, back.

Michael

The Isuzu shop manual refers to several special tools:

Hub Nut wrench; bearing Installer & Grip (what I refered to as driver tools)- a different part number installer for inner & outer bearings; yet another Installer part for the Inner Cam; yet another for the axle shaft Lock Washer & Snap Ring Shims - here they recommend different size shims on hand to verify the clearance "between the snap ring groove of the axle shaft"; and finally another "tool driver" for installing the Snap Ring!

I'm really not a perfectionist by any stretch, rather just concerned when it come to this kind of first timer stuff. Let me know what you think, thanks again Mike.

FEA, check out those pdf files at the timken bearing link in my above post. they are pretty good. although general, they will get you through this without all the special tools isuzu calls for.

do use, though that spring scale to preload the bearings correctly.

ADDED EDIT: as to the hub nut tool, some just use a drift punch or such to get that nut off (including mlclark iirc). others adapt a 4-prong to a 2-prong lock nut 'socket'. there are quite a few descriptions on this either here or maybe planetisuzoo.

and while packing/repacking bearings with your hands (and fingers is very do-able), a few bucks for one of those bearing packers at the parts store will reward you with more-better results that's more sure.


//bc


///EDIT ADD2: Yeah, *that's* the one. FEA, strawmyer's "Click Here" link in his post below is *great*. /// have fun!