Mechanic said that the front bearings are separating which he can see occurring inside hub underneath and is allowing dirt/dust into the bearings.
I had them replaced about 50K ago with I think Moog bearings. I wasn't expecting to do this again till 300K. Now has 205K. The shop that did the
work had a 36 mos warranty on the work but went out of business so it looks like I am SOL! I am getting another opinion tomorrow.

 

Front wheel bearings? Did the last shop replace the whole hubs? The warranty is probably on the hubs, not the work.

Can you get the front wheels in the air and check for play?

 

The front bearings are enclosed inside the front hubs, no way to see them. The whole hub is replaced as a unit not just the bearings. There is also a big dust seal that always falls off and flops around on the back of the hub, possibly what the mechanic saw. Happens all the time and not a big deal, there are further seals inside. There is a revised metal seal that stays in.

I am not disagreeing with the diagnosis of bad bearings, I'm 1500 miles away. Just sayin' ya cannot see them and the loose seal is no problem. X2 on getting the wheel in the air and check for play/problems when spinning.

 

The whole hub is usually replaced but you can replace just the bearing once the hub is off. Just did it this weekend myself. Spicer part#550759 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dana-Spicer-550759-Spindle-Bearing-NEW-NIB-/281254375799?hash=item417c113177&vxp=mtr

 

I am so used to the dependability of this truck that when anything does
happen I panic like a little girl. I am going to get some other opinions
tomorrow as to what it could be. This guy did not impress me as knowing
much about the truck like he been out picking lettuce or something before
this job. So much for that place.

 

I feel for ya, i just did mine for the 3rd time after only 14 mths in service. Orielly did replace the hubs for free, but i had to take the downtime to do the swap.

Troy, i was under the impression that these were not a rebuildable item. I know folks have tried for years but to my knowledge no one has been able to do it yet. It sure looks like it can be rebuilt though...... If you have knowledge, please share details/link. Ive been away from the forum for a while, i may have missed something.

 

Well I am not sure if the entire hub is rebuildable but the needle bearing is easily replaceable once the hub is off. I don't have any links on how to do it or anything I just pulled the hub off and got the old bearing out and drove the new one in there. After knowing I can replace the bearing I would not bother pulling them off to just regrease them when the bearing is so cheap. Here is a link I just found that has a picture of the bearing out of the box. Northern Drivetrain, LLC: Spicer 550759

 

ok, needle bearing. i can see that. i was referring to the main bearing inside the hub. thats what failed on mine this most recent time. The previous two it was the needle bearing that failed causing axle shaft damage.