I have a 1996 Magnum 425 4x4, and the front Right wheel and and hub have play in them. I took the assembly apart and the bearings and races (all 4 of them) look like new. I will be installing new bearings and races just in case, but I do not think this will fix it. Any ideas on what else could be allowing this to be loose. I tried just tightening everything, but it can still wobble.

Thanks
Cancat.

 

If the bearings and races are good/tight, I would think that the outside nut would just need tightened a bit.....hopefully that will work.....I hope you don't somehow have play in the spindle itself.

 

The outside nut isn't the problem, I tightened it until the wheel wouldn't turn freely and it could still wobble.
Anyone got any ideas, or seen this before?

CanCat

 

I think that you will find that the problem is gone once you replace the bearings and races. I have run in to some situations where the bearings look like they are good but they are actually loose. If you move the bearing in your hand you are a lot less likely to feel any movement in the bearing because it does not have the stress of the wheel and hub on it. With the wheel and hub riding on the bearing you add a leverage point for the bearing to be under a load which makes it loose. I hope all of this makes sense and helps. I really think that you're problem will be gone with the new bearings though.

 

A new strut assembly is more likly the answer. The insert that is cast into the strut is loose and no way that I know to fix it.

 

I went through this same problem last year. I have a 1996 500 Sportsman and hub fluid was leaking out. I replaced seals, bearings and races with no improvement. Then I had to replace the entire strut tower($250). The machined insert was loose within the strut itself and this is not repairable. This wasn't a cheap or easy fix. The worst part is that I rode this past weekend and now I have the same problem with the other strut. I don't know if this is a common problem or if I bought a lemon. I only have 1900 miles on the machine and it seems like every time I ride it something breaks. Well good luck with the repair, just make sure that you get the axle nut tight so that there is no play.

 

Yep, My guess is the strut housing. I had this happen on my sp 500 '04 at about 300 miles. The dealership figured it out after I showed it to 'em. LOL. Thank god for warranty.

 

I don't think it would have anything to do with the strut assembly. more like worn races if anything in the strut assembly, if the race isnt moving where the bearing rides how could it effect the strut assembly.