Front Wheel Bearing Play and Replacement

[Gixxer]

On my 95 F350 7.3 I’ve noticed that when I’m maneuvering the truck at slow speeds, especially on the uneven ground, that I hear a clunking sound from within the cab that sounds like it’s coming from the front left. At least that’s where it sounds like it’s coming from. I’ve replaced the radius arm bushings, but it didn’t help. I put the front end on jack stands and found that when I push and pull on the wheels there is a tiny bit of play. Also if I listen carefully and can barely hear a noise that sounds like it may be caused by some play in the bearings. Is this normal or should there be no play at all? How difficult is it to replace the front wheel bearings?

[460+]

You may need someone to shake the wheel for you. Watch the ball joints also, if they havent been changed they may be whats loose. If it is the wheel bearings they arent that bad if you have the tools. Take the lock out off, then the internals of the l/out, there are 2 snap rings : theres one around the end of the axle and one around the outer part of the hub. Once you get the snap rings out, you can loosen the spindle nuts,should be either a large 4 or 6 prong socket.After removing the nuts take the brake caliper off and remove the rotor, the outer bearing will fall out and the inner will have to be knocked out with a long punch. Then reassemble after cleaning the bearings and repacking with a good wheel bearing grease. tighten the inner nut till you cant turn the hub, loosen the nut so the hub spins freely, then tighten up till there is a slight drag on the hub.Then install the lock ring and outer nut. Tighten the outer nut tight against the lock ring. And the rest in reverse order.

[Marty]

There should be no play.

Have some as strong or stronger then you grab the wheel at 12 and 6 and yank in and out on it. Check the ball joints if that's now where it's moving - 9 times out of 10... it'll be the bearings.

They are a unit bearing setup - fully encased so you can't just replace the bearings. You have to replace the whole hub bearing assembly. Cost usually around 300...

[460+]

They are not unitized on a 95, they have inner and outer bearings. They arent unitized until 99and newer.

[Marty]

Originally Posted by 460+

They are not unitized on a 95, they have inner and outer bearings. They arent unitized until 99and newer.

Over looked that.

I was just in the 99-03 forum and didn't see that I crossed over.

[mschn99]

check the u joints on the front axles....and the hublocks to make sure tha axles disengague right........

check the wheel bearings...

check the ball joints..