Help Please Hub/Bearing/Something else

[Phil21]

My Truck 89 GQ Manual, no turbo, Manual Hubs- i drive down the road and all is well, a small ridge or bump and sometimes the front passenger side wheel starts to rumble - it sounds just like i am driving along a rumble strip, no feedback through the steering wheel, no shake just the rumble noise, i can clear it by gently steering left / right, or slowing right down. This rumble can happen at a speed as low as 40ks and only happens when i go over a small bump, again this doesnt happen all the time.
With the car stationary (parked) if i push and pull on the side wall of the tyre (passenger side) i can feel some slack as the car moves it weight around, so far i have been unable to prove or disprove the wheel bearing (but thats my guess) as despite the hub being in 2x4 with all the bolts off it doesnt want to come off and feels like its caught on something, should i prize it off?
Any advice and comments welcomed - Thanks in advance, Phil

[timbar]

silly question have you un done the 54mm nut and locknut on the axle stub?

[Phil21]

As i have been told previously - no such thing as a stupid question, I havent as i cant get the hub off ( 8 x hex screws), hence should i prize it off ?

[timbar]

ok once you have the 8 hex screws out then just give a gentle tap with a hammer to break the seal on the locking hub once that is off then you need to remove the split ring and remove the mechanisim on the axle behind that is a locking washer remove that and there is a 54mm lock nut you can either buy a 54mm socket or a hammer and screwdriver to remove this then there is another washer and another 54mm nut same again remove them then the hub should slide off with a gentle tap ........hope this helps

[Phil21]

Thanks mate i appreciate your help, do you feel its a wheel bearing issue?

[timbar]

one thing you could try i assume you already have ajack under the vehicle just turn the wheel and feel or listen closely and see what happens or grab the wheel and feel for movement up and down and side to side if ther is vibration when you spin ....wheel bearing? or movement definately wheel bearing either way its a good place to start water and mud do wonders for them hahahahaha

[Phil21]

I havent as yet, now i know how to get the hub cover off i will have a better look this weekend, my guess is a loose wheel bearing, but this is a first for me, so really want to get a second or third opinion from someone with more experience of the GQ. i did all this kind of thing on my old discovery but the set up on these isnt what i'm used to, so always open to suggestions, and really appreciate your help.
Not been off roading in it yet but will do in the near future - cant wait!,
while i think of it, having undone the hex screws and broke the seal, it doesnt want to come off although its loose - is it ok to prize it off?

[timbar]

the hub is in the unlocked position ???? you can prize it off be careful as there is no gasket there and you dont want to damage the faces of the join ..............i have done the front wheel bearings about 6 to 8 times on my GQ im pretty sure i know what im doing but good luck its a messy but easy job Enjoy

[Phil21]

Thanks again mate, really appreciated..

[growler2058]

Agree with timbar re tapping to remove only that i'd use a rubber or nylon mallet to be safe, and only cause i dont know how to tap gently ahahhahaha

[glyngq]

i've had a similar drama as of late simple to fix though. the circlip on the end of the cv axle falls off from time to time. mines done it a couple of times now. creates a similar sound to what you have described, should be a simple fix. good luck with it.
only other thing to check is that the circlip or the washers between the hub nuts aren't chewed out. this was the cause for my axle falling apart. you may need to obtain new ones. can't remember the exact thickness off hand. it will help to stop it happening again.

[Phil21]

Hey guys, i eventually figured out the problem, i needed to take the outer part off you know the bit where you switch from 2x4 to 4x4 Duh! glad i didnt try to prize it off, i would have been pushing against the circlip, anyway, plenty of slack in the bearing and very little grease, it obviously hadn't been done in years, so have given a good coating of grease (of course i cleaned it first) and i'll see how it runs, but will probably check over the drivers side this weekend just to be on the safe side, suprisingly easier than i expected, Thanks Again, will let you know how i get on with the other side..

[growler2058]

I got a complete set of japanese bearings for front wheels and swivel hubs for $200 delivered to me door off ebay. i wouldnt stuff around with old bearings. i'd replace straight away

[growler2058]

Hehttp://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=GQ+patrol+swivel+hub+bearing+kitres the ebay link mate

I'll try that again http://shop.ebay.com.au/i.html?_nkw=Gq+swivel+hub+bearing+kit&_sacat=0&_dmpt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&_odkw=Gq+swivel+hub+seal+kit&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313 Better haha