Rear thrust washer

[John Robinson]

I am wondering if someone can tell the symptoms of a rear hub thrust washer going bad. Can you replace just the washer?

I occasionally have a sound or feeling like the right rear axle is shifting and when I put the car up on jack stands there is some movement of the wheel up and down and front to back. I do not think the play is in the bearing it is more like in and out play what I am feeling is the wheel shifting on the shaft. It has been many years since I packed bearings and adjusted them for tightness so I could be wrong but my past experience tells me the bearing is OK and something else is my problem.

Also if it is the thrust washer is bad were can I get a replacement.

 

[boomdriver]

I am wondering if someone can tell the symptoms of a rear hub thrust washer going bad. Can you replace just the washer?

I occasionally have a sound or feeling like the right rear axle is shifting and when I put the car up on jack stands there is some movement of the wheel up and down and front to back. I do not think the play is in the bearing it is more like in and out play what I am feeling is the wheel shifting on the shaft. It has been many years since I packed bearings and adjusted them for tightness so I could be wrong but my past experience tells me the bearing is OK and something else is my problem.

Also if it is the thrust washer is bad were can I get a replacement.

The good news is that you either have a badly worn tie rod (toe-rod end) OR it is definately the wheel bearing if it moves around as you describe. Not much else allows a rear wheel to have "play" in its mount. Severly, very very severly worn bushings perhaps, but you'd know if that were it. The thrust washer is not a critical part (IMHO) contrary to popular belief. It just applies torque where it should be. Many cars live without it and do just fine.

The bad news is that you do not "pack" these bearings or adjust....you throw them away and replace the entire hub assembly. They are non-servicable hub assemblys. The thrust washer is nothing that would cause wobble or looseness. It simply applies the torque of the nut to the bearing inner race so the bearing rollers are free to roll inside the outer race and distribute the load. IF your retaining nut has become loose, or the washer/shim is loose, its the bearing itself thats worn, nothing else.

DO be vigilant and look at the 3 torx bolts in BACK of the hub assy to see if they are tight....those 3 bolts are what really holds your wheel on.....they secure the hub assy to the knuckle and must be tight.