I have a 2000 7.3 350.....I bought new

I had one of the auto hubs blow.....at 60 miles an hour mind you, on a interstate curve....dam near crapped my pants.

I went with warn manual hubs, then about a year later that same (right side) hub started to catch and get to get chewed up. I did some further investigating and determined the front right wheel u joint was sloppy and the culprit. I ordered new hubs and went down to purchase new ujoints. I was also thinking I need to replace any bearings and races associated (this is the part that I am unfamiliar with).

I now know that there are no bearings to replace....I would have to do the whole hub assembly. I do not know if this is a problem and needs to be replaced or not?

Have any of you replaced sloppy front u joints and not had to replace the hubs? What is the usual protocal?

My thinking is if the u joint is sloppy enough for the small length of splined shaft that contacts the lock outs is not lining up, the inside of the hub may be worn enough to cause further damage. When I take this off maybe it will look fine?

 

I have not replaced any of the u-joints you suggest. But in doing so, you will need to remove the hub. Before doing that, grab tire at 12/6 and 3/9 and see if you have any slop. May be a bad bearing in the hub.

Attached is Guzzle's hub maintenance procedure. Good review, and may shed light on your probled,

Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page

Good luck.

 

Thank you for the link!!! I will read it in detail tonight. I don't understand why ford did this, or why they would not wnat to replace small parts vs bigger and more expensive?

I did however jack up the side in question and there is no movement in the 6 & 12 position so I would assume for now that I just have to do the u joints.