1988 Chevy S-10 wheel bearings or?

HEAVYLIKECHEVY

MEMBER
1988 CHEVROLET S-10

Shakes or Wobbles problem
1988 Chevy S-10 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I have a chevy s10 that was stolen and found without tire and rims. I believe the wrecker just slammed it at the pound because when I picked it up it was on its belly. I still bought used tires and drove it home but the two front tires were wobbling bad. I thought something must have been bent.

Well today I jacked the front up and even put a different tire to see if it still wobbled. It did. So I changed the wheel bearings because being jacked up I figured the hub spinning on the spindle could eliminate the problems. Well even after changing the bearings it still wobbles. I dont see how it coud be the joints if its jacked up. I would just like to know what else it can be. I really want to repair this myself and I cant take it in to repair it. Ive asked 10 different family friends and have gotten 10 different answers. What could have gotten damaged when the truck was left laying on its frame. I am sure I installed the bearings correct. I even torqued the spindle nut to 12 lbs.
Fyi I still hear a metal rubbing noise when rotating hub.

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

If it were slammed on the ground itmay have a bent rotor or it may have come loose from the studs. It also could be a bent spindle or hub- that's where the wheel bearings mount. The rubbing noise is probably the brake shield that has bent and rubbing against the rotor as it goes around. By the way proper torque for front wheel bearings is 50' lbs and then backed off to the first notch on the nut retainer.