3-second answer: The TTB front spindle nut torque is 200 ft-lb (then back off per the manual procedure for preload). Symptoms of worn bearings: a growl that changes with steering, play at 12-and-6 on the tire, or vibration at speed. Repack/rotate regularly; the needle bearings in the TTB spindle eat grease and die without it.
The symptoms
- Growl/rumble from the front that changes when you turn (loads/unloads the bearing)
- Loose feel at the wheel (grab 12-and-6 and rock)
- Vibration at speed that feels like tires but isn't
- Uneven tire wear (see TTB alignment)
The service
- Hub + rotor off (the 4x4 has the manual hub/auto hub assembly to remove first).
- Pack the bearings with wheel-bearing grease (a packer or by hand — full coverage, no air).
- Install: inner bearing, seal, hub, outer bearing, washer, nut.
- Torque: 200 ft-lb to seat, then back off and set the running preload per your manual (the classic procedure everyone quotes is torque-to-200 then loosen-and-retorque-lighter).
- New spindle nut lock washers — they're one-time parts.
4x4 vs 2WD
- 4WD TTB: bearings live in the spindle with the hub assembly.
- 2WD: standard hub-and-rotor assembly, same 200 ft-lb procedure family.
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Threads
- FTE search: wheel bearing · spindle nut