[2689]

Hi,

I have a '93 Tracker, 4x4 (of course). Someone told me that the wheel bearing in a front hub is sealed. And because it's sealed, it can't be repacked. Is that true? The reason I ask is that a mechanic told me that he didn't think the bearing needed to be replaced, and he recommended just repacking it. This particular mechanic has a good reputation, so it would surprise me if it turns out that the bearings are sealed and can't be repacked.

-Phil

 

[1339]

Hmmm, I haven't had a Trackick hub apart, but If its like every other hub assembly I have ever seen (and I
see no reason why not) then what your riend migt be talking about is the inner bearing.

There are 2 bearings in a front hub. the outer one comes out when you remove tne axle nut. Then the
hub will slide off the spindle. there will be a seal on the back side to keep grease off the brakes.

You have to remove the seal to get the bearing out to grease it, but its not a sealed bearing per se.

 

[TomKat]

TrackKick front wheel bearings are a cartridge style, non serviceable sealed bearing. They press in the knuckle, ide they are changed, be sure to torque to 120 lb/ft on the nut.

 

[2868]

That's not what my shop manual says, nor my local Suzuki dealer. Unless its a difference from year to year... mine's a 91 with manual hubs.

The bearings SHOULD be fully serviceable. The problem is having the bloody socket to remove the hub nut! Its a specialty part, only sold by Kent-Moore and OTC. Plan on spending about $50 for one @ NAPA. It looks identical to one used for a 1/2 ton Chevy, but smaller.

I've even seen dealers not have the socket, and use a hammer and punch to get the nut off! The problems with this is if that front nut isn't torqued to the right specs, then you'll be replacing them inside a year!

 

[1339]

Tomcat, are you confusing the outer axle bearing with the wheel bearings? I would expect the axle bearing
to be sealed, but not the wheel bearings. It might be as you say, but we seem to have mixed opinions on
the wheel bearings so far...

 

[2868]

Well, I know that the bearing in the locking hub is a sealed unit.... that may have been what he was thinking about.

My Mk2 Turbo Sprint (Suzuki made, never sold in the US) had sealed units, so it wasn't uncommon for others in the Suzuki lineup to have the cartridge bearings. But to put them on a 4WD would be somewhat silly, one would think.

 

[TomKat]

Front wheel bearings are a cartridge, sealed bearing pressed into the knuckle. I worked 8 years for a Suzuki dealer, replaced several. I don't want to be misconstrued a a Know it all, just have experience with these. I will add, though, I never tried to take it apart and grease, When we replaced them, They were noisy so it wasn't an option.

 

[2689]

Just thought I'd post a follow-up. It turns out that the real answer appears to be: "it depends."

I just took my '93 Tracker to the local mechanic. I watched him take the hub apart, clean the bearings, etc. The wheel bearings in my Tracker are NOT the sealed, cartridge type. The mechanic told me they are not, and I saw them with my own eyes. So that other mechanic who suggested that the bearings be re-packed instead of being replaced wasn't feeding me a load of bull.

But here's what has us scratching our heads: The Haynes manual that I just bought says that, starting in 1993, Suzuki went to a sealed, cartridge-style bearing. So what the hell is going on? Could it be that vehicles made early in 1993 had the older style bearings, with the switchover to sealed bearings coming later on in the year? Or maybe the Haynes manual is just plain wrong?

-Phil