STEERING AND FRONT SUSPENSION
Front Wheel Bearings and Hubs
7
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS
See General Warnings on page 1-1.
NOTE:
The front wheel bearings are pressed into the spindle and are not serviceable. If excessive free-play is
detected the entire hub should be replaced.
FRONT WHEEL FREE PLAY INSPECTION
1.
Disconnect the battery cables and discharge the controller as instructed.
See WARNINGS “To avoid
unintentionally starting...” and “After disconnecting the batteries, wait 90 seconds...” in General
Warnings on page 1-1.
2.
Raise the front of the vehicle.
3.
Use your hands to attempt to rock the wheel and hub assembly back and forth on the spindle. Movement of
the wheel and hub on the spindle indicates that the hub bearing is worn; therefore, the hub assembly must be
replaced.
See Front Hub Removal on page 7-17.
FRONT HUB REMOVAL
1.
Remove the front wheels.
See Wheel Removal on page 8-1.
2.
Remove dust cap (12) and lock nut (11)
(Figure 7-19, Page 7-16)
.
3.
Slide the hub assembly (9) off of the spindle shaft (3).
4.
Lightly sand spindle shaft to clean away any light rust.
5.
Inspect the surface of the spindle shaft for surface damage. It should be clean and smooth. If severe pitting from
rust or corrosion has occurred, replace the spindle assembly.
See Kingpin and Steering Spindle Removal on
page 7-13.
HUB INSTALLATION
1.
Clean and apply a light coat of anti-seize lubricant to the spindle shaft (3).
2.
Slide the hub assembly (9) onto the spindle shaft
(Figure 7-20, Page 7-18)
.
3.
Install a new flanged lock nut (11) and tighten to 50 ft-lb (68 N·m).
4.
Rotate the hub. The hub should rotate smoothly without binding, side play, or any indication of rough spots.
5.
Repeat the procedure for the opposite wheel.
6.
Install wheels and finger-tighten lug nuts.
7.
Lower the vehicle and finish tightening lug nuts, using a crisscross pattern, to 55 ft-lb (74.6 N·m) for steel wheels
or 65 ft-lb (88 N·m) for alloy mag wheels.
2009 Electric Precedent Maintenance and Service Manual
Page 7-17
