Loose wheel bearing....again

[raunch]

Had some front-end work done a couple of months back, and since then the right front wheel bearing has been loose. They tightened it back up the first time, and now I just took the truck in because it is loose again. I have heard that to keep the bearings tight it is necessary to stake the nut with a punch. Hopefully it is that simple. But just wondering if there could be another issue that would cause the bearing to loosen up. I'd like to be as informed as possible when the shop calls me back with the news.
Thanks.

[DmaxMaverick]

If properly installed and tightened, it should stay tight between services. If bearings were replaced, it's possible the race didn't get fully seated, and is seating itself as you drive. Staking the nut won't help. The problem isn't the nut backing off. The lock nuts, regardless of which design you have, work. If the nut is backing off, the lock is not being set properly. Using the correct axle nut socket and tightening procedure is essential. Lock nut sets are not expensive, so replace them if they are all beat up.

[raunch]

Well, the first time back it was indeed a loose bearing. This time, however, it's the ball joint. Bummer. That's a big job.