Ok, so I've done some research on the front hub assembly. I have some symptoms such as: audible noise around 45+ mph, but not when turning right hard. The front tire does not sit even on the ground.
I have jacked it up and looked for play 12-6 method and have not noticed excess amount of play. I also tried to hold the coil spring while rotating the wheel, but didn't notice anything by doing that either. The u-joint also seems fine.
Can it still be the hub assembly?

 

 

Bought myself a Timken one so we'll see. If it's not it I'm blamin you guys

 

jack up the front and see if theres play in the hub bearings

 

Yeah, I tried that, but it didn't seem bad..

 

i had this same issue with the drivers side hub. replaced it this weekend and noise and issues went away. for $45 shipped, easy fix!

 

Timken for $45?!

 

Where'd you get that timkin for 45 bucks..I want 4!!!

 

Lol that is one gimp wheel. You should be able to feel something wrong with the old hub assembly once you have it off.

 

That's what I'm saying!!

 

Hahah I know. I'm sure I will

 

I have a similar issue, mine was making grinding noises while the tire was spinning. I pulled the brake caliper and rotor off and noticed excessive metal shavings around the (hub) I think. I was wondering if you guys might think a bearing went bad in there or something. Also do I have to take out the entire axel shaft to do this repair?? I hope not. Any and all info is appreciated.

 

The bearing and hub assembly are sold as a single sealed unit, and no you do not need to pull the axle shaft out. Just take off the wheel, brake, axle nut, unbolt the necessary stuff, beat the hell out of the old hub to get it off, slide the new one on. There are a thousand and one write ups and shouldn't take you long at all.

 

Ok thanks for the help. I tried message with it today but once I started to see what the idiot precipice owner did it just makes me laugh. He put the wrong brake pads on and backwards so they are also tearing up my calipers because they are loose. But If I continue to drive my XJ with the hub being bad what could possibly happen?

 

Depending on how bad it is, if it fails, I would not want to be in that vehicle. I think the wheel falls off it it completely fails. If it isnt really really bad, it will wear on the other components and they will eventually go bad. After you replace it, give everything under there a good shake to make sure it is nice and tight and nothing went bad as a result of the bearing. I had one go bad and I waited for a month or two for the weather to be a bit better, and the tire had some nasty wear patterns but luckily my ujoints and everything were ok.