[Chewbacca]

Front wheel bearing is starting to chirp (sounds like a bird) and needs to be replaced.  Local parts stores claim I need to buy the entire assembly and are quoting something like $337.  Anyone else have any experience replacing these bearings or assembly?  Hints, tips or suggestions?

THANKS!!!
Ty

 

[Dale_Lakin]

They are not that bad to replace, just 4 bolts behind the knuckle (after the brakes are off) We have some complete kits that you might be interested in: Click Here for Hub Bearing Kits

 

[drdenny1]

Yep, You'll be replacing the complete assembaly /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif. Once you pull it off the truck, you'll see in stamped letters "DO NOT DISASSEMBLE". This is due to the ABS. Check several on line parts stores for the best price,fordpartsonline.com/ and NAPA. I got mine from firstfordparts.com complete with studs. Some are cheaper,but do not have studs. I payed extra 'cause I didn't want to deal with that stuff. And get a new O-ring too! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Denis /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif

 

[Ggg6]

Re: X Front wheel bearing replacement

That deal Dale Lakin is talking about is a good one. The best price I found on the bearing only was $275, that did include the lug studs. The studs in Dale's kit are the bearing mount suds which are the ones you need to reuse from the old bearing which is a PITA to remove. Plus he includes the o-ring and the hub to shaft seal which runs about $35 I believe.

 

[mattA]

snmabitch,good thing you posted this, i just got done rotating my tires and found out my front driverside is shot, the whole hub/brake assembly has a good amount of play in it, looks to be the wheel bearing is bad, how many miles are on your truck?? im at 145k and the list of [censored] thats broke is never ending on this truck, i did hear that you do not need to buy the whole assembling, but just read that you do?????

 

[mattA]

"Assembly fits 4x4 F250-350 built after 3/22/99 with DRW 4 Wheel ABS"


what do i need for my truck? my truck has a build date of 11/98 i belive, but is titled 99, ill check again on my build date tomorrow, but im pretty sure its around that time.

 

[Ggg6]

The bearing does come as an assembly. The job is not that big of a deal, it can be done in the driveway. But be certain you do not need ball joints, tie rod ends, brake pads, rotors, calipers are free not seized up, & hubs work well since you will have it all torn down. I ended up doing all ball joints, brakes and rotors, both calipers had one seized slider,& rotated the tires while I did the bearings. 145k is a long time to go on a set of bearings. I had 120k, I have heard as low as 45k and as high as 150k. It steers, stops, and rides nice now!

 

[smokeyboyz]

I am having a weird noise in the front end and somebody mentioned front wheel bearing. Thing is I just bought a set of super winch hubs and installed them few days later we left on a road trip and while driving it start to vibrate like it is rough road and slowly gets worse until I stop or slow down and boom it stops in 1000 miles it did it 7-10 times I wonder if I got a bad hub. Does it sound like a bearing?

 

[JimTJr]

MATTA,[ QUOTE ]
what do i need for my truck? my truck has a build date of 11/98 i belive, but is titled 99, ill check again on my build date tomorrow, but im pretty sure its around that time.

[/ QUOTE ] You have an early 99. The cut off was mid or late December,98. They built the "99" from 03/98 I think on. Skipping the actual "98" year for PSD FORDs and jumping from the "97" to the current Super Duty body style, calling them "99"s. THE HUBS Are different from early to later modles. NOW IF you are replaceing BOTH. Then you can get the later ones..but have to replace rotors too. (I dont know if this is and "UPGRADE" ,,or what. Have not heard of anyone doing it because the later ones are that much better I dont think. Or if they are..how much better I dont know. I guess they should be,,,no other reason for FORD to mess with it.RIGHT?/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif (Now that I have talked in circles,,sort of /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif) BUT they are different. So if you want originals..so you can use your rotors. Make sure you get early 99s.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

 

[Fat Diesel]

I'm going to replace my early 99's soon and will be "upgrading" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif to the later ones. I just want to be able to easily get parts if I am out on the road somewhere and have a failure. Most likely I will get them from Dale.

 

[eng211ine]

Check www.dynatrac.com
I just ordered their superduty basic kit to replace the front bearings on my early 99. I've done some research and for my money these guys have the nicest stuff around. The kit is a little pricey but you get some great heavy duty stuff to replace the lightweight stock parts. Ford front ends don't take very well to bigger tires. The best part about the dynatrac stuff is it comes with all new SERVICEABLE parts and the bearins and races are easily changed out and are sommonly found parts available at any parts store. Give them a call, they can give you all the details.

 

[mattA]

i looked today, the build date on my truck is 8/98, so its a early one i guess, the ball joints have already been done and are in good shape along with all the rest, brakes were brand new about 5k ago, but the bearings have never been done, oh well, looks like its time to just do both sides and get it over with.

 

[DENNY]

Smokeyboyz
Sounds like the spindle bearing inside the hub. If you lock the front hubs manually and the problem go's away that is most likely what it is. Keep the hubs locked so you don't damage the stub shaft.
DENNY

 

[Chewbacca]

Dale, Denis, Ggg6, mattA and others,

THANKS FOR THE HELP, REFERRALS AND INFORMATION!!! Have 96K on the truck now. Driver's side failed around 70K and was covered under my extended warranty. Given that I still have Geico Mechanical Breakdown coverage (til 100K w/$250 deduct), I'll probably go that route saving a couple bucks and time (given it's already 100 degrees outside here in Texas).

THANKS AGAIN!!!
Ty