tire size question..
 

Okay, so I got this 1991 Ranger and I am wondering what is the deal with bigger tires. I have 32x11.5x15 mt tires on now and they are worn a bit. I was wondering if I would be okay going back down to a 31x10.5x15 bgf mudder. Is ground clearance the main issue, because the guy told me when I bought it that he goes through a few wheel bearings with the 32's and I like to not be changing many wheel bearings.

Re: tire size question..
 

I dont understand how a 32" is going to wear out wheel bearings? unless there is a spacer maybe, but even then IDK.

Maybe the guy was wearing them out because he didn't pack/re-pack them right or had them not tight enough, or to tight for that matter.

Re: tire size question..
 

wouldn't the width (11.5) have something to do with it too....especially if the rim doesn't have the right backspacing ..

Re: tire size question..
 

Not with wheel bearings. Lets say for example you had rims that put the inside of the tire flush with the outside of the fender. It might wear on the ball joints. But for your everyday standard backspacing or even a little more should not affect wheel bearings.

Re: tire size question..
 

cool...thanks

Re: tire size question..
 

If you have to change your wheel bearings because of the previous owner, get a repair manual. It will give you the torque spec on installing new bearings. The general gist is you torque the spindle nut to a specified torque WHILE spinning the hub then loosen and repeat at the second torque spec. It is very important that you spin the hub while tightening the nut to get the bearings to set properly.

Like stated above, back spacing and tire size rarely make a difference on bearings unless the spacing is way out of line compared to OEM.