So i'm changing my ball joints and I go to grease my needle bearings and they fall out! i'm guessing its not a good idea to try and put the bearings back in since they should not have fallen out to begin with. It was a cheap eBay unit installed about 2 years ago.

 

Replace it. Ford P/N: C6TZ-3123-A

Here's a good write-up:
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page

 

Not a dumb question and it means nothing. Just grease them and put them back in. (former mechanic, trust me).

 

I've put plenty of needles back into their race, especially those damn u-joint caps. I did take the extra time to spray them down with brake cleaner to make sure any grit and dirt was off of them, let them dry completely, then insert and grease thoroughly.

 

They were $35 at the stealership and $10 at parts source. For the price I put new ones in.

My op was more of a whine lol after battling with the puddle side of my truck. I almost made it through both sides without a cry for help.

My Ex now has some shiny new mevotech supreme ball joints and timken seals. Kinda funny to see the timken seals had holograms on them. I guess nothing is safe from being copied.

Oil and fuel filter and bring on winter!!