wheel bearing change: 4wd

[normal]

noob questions on this topic:

- what specialized tools are required?

- Any tips or typical pitfalls for first timer?

- Is an alignment required afterwards?

- Any other repair / maint I should do at same time that i might otherwise overlook?

** RE: 94.5 f250 4wd, 5sp manual f250 7.3

[daveyburt]

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front or rear bearings???

[weareweird69]

I assume front, since he said about an alignment...

Front wheel bearings... You'll need a special socket has four prongs on it. NAPA should have it, advance wont. Costs a pretty penny, so if a buddy has one, or garage that will let you borrow, do it lol

Its straigh forward pretty much, you'll need snap ring plier also to remove the hub innards. Remember to pay attention to what comes out, and what goes in.

Do you have auto or manual hubs?

Manual hubs:

For this, take the hub assembly out, there is a snap ring on the inside of the HUB housing that needs to come out, its a PITA sometimes, and a snap ring on the shaft, remove those and the hub will slide out. Then take the special socket, and remove the nut inside the hub, DO THIS ALL BY HAND, take your snap ring pliers, or a pick, and take out the washer behind the nut. Then there is another nut to take off with the special socket. NOTE that one nut has a tab on it, make sure its the first nut that goes back in, and that the tab is facing OUT. After thats all out, the hub will come off, and the bearings will be there also. When the bearings are fully packed and replaced, place the hub back on, dont DAMAGE the splines on the spindle, put the first nut back in (with the tab) and tighten it down... Maybe someone can put some torque specs in here, I dont have them. When you goto put the washer back in, it will only go on one way, if it doesnt seat onto the nut, with the little tab that goes into the washer, pull it out, and flip it over, try that. It should go on then. Then put the other nut back on and tighten it down while spinning the wheel, once again, I dont have torque specs... Install in reverse order.

Rear wheel bearings... you'll need a special socket, NAPA should have it, advance wont, and a bearing puller makes life so much easier back there...

But thats a quick run down for ya. hope it helps.

[hijo202]

subscribed also

[BadDogPSD]

Originally Posted by weareweird69

Front wheel bearings... You'll need a special socket has four prongs on it. NAPA should have it, advance wont. Costs a pretty penny, so if a buddy has one, or garage that will let you borrow, do it lol

Amazon.com: Powerbuilt 648477 Spindle Nut Socket 1 Ton, Four Inner: Home Improvement

Found a nice spindle nut socket at Amazon for $18.00. Works great!

[weareweird69]

That would be the one!

[pjwoolw]

Here is some more info for ya. Hope it helps out.

Out:

1. Raise the vehicle and install safety stands.

2. Remove the hublock assembly.

3. Remove C-ring and three-piece thrust washers (if not already removed).

4. Remove the outer lock nut. Remove the lockwasher and loosen inner lock nut.

In:

5. Using spanner lock nut wrench while rotating the front disc brake hub and rotor back and forth, tighten the inner lock nut to 68 Nm (50 lb ft) to seat the bearing.

6. Back off the lock nut 90 degrees.

7. Install the lockwasher so the key is positioned in the groove of the front wheel spindle. Tighten the inner lock nut, aligning the pin into the nearest lockwasher hole. NOTE: Hole pattern of lockwasher is offset with keyway to provide half-position settings by flipping washer over to obtain closest hole.

8. Install the outer lock nut and tighten to 217-278 Nm (160-205 lb ft).

9. Check the final end play of the front wheel spindle. It should be 0.00-0.05mm (0.000-0.002 in) .

10. Torque required to rotate the front disc brake hub and rotor is not to exceed 2.3 N-m (20 lb in) .

11. Install three washers in order: metal washer first, plastic washer second and splined metal washer third. Install C-ring. NOTE: Improper sequence of three-piece thrust washers will result In excessive wear of assembly.

12. Install the hublocks. Reinstall wheel and tires.

13. Remove the safety stands. Lower the vehicle.

[weareweird69]

Is that for an Auto hub?

[pjwoolw]

Manual hubs.