Truck is 2011, F350, 4x4 CC Long box with a 6.2, 124,000 km on it.


Was driving home last night towing my jet boat when I heard a sudden noise from the front end, kind of shudder, first reaction was a flat so headed to the curd. No flat, nothing running hot, no play in wheels, all looked good underneath the front end. Pulled out and drove away, got about 15 km and it happened again, looked all around nothing obvious so pulled out and drove home (25 km) no issue.


This morning wanted to investigate further. Drove truck down the block and heard a definite rotating type sound. Not a grinding more like a scrape sound. After a minute it went away.


Went into a parking lot and drove in tight circles but no strange noise. Found that the auto locking hubs were not working but hub would lock in manual. No strange noises with hubs locked in either.


Jacked up truck rotate front wheels, no sound and no play or wiggle on either side.


Pulled the hubs and the passenger side had water in it. Hub was not rusty but it didn't look as good as the other side. Not sure how water got there as I have never driven in water, although I am not original owner but have had it two years and put 25,000 km on it.


Could the water have gone in deeper and caused a bearing to fail?


Any input would be appreciated.


Thanks
Stew

 

So its a sad story.


Took off the locking hub and got water pouring out. Needle bearings are seized and unit is toast.


Pulled the wheel bearing assembly and found the axel steady bearing dry.


Looked deeper and found vacuum seal was cracked/torn. In addition, axel tube dust seal was missing in action.


Couple things I learned. Buy the vacuum seal driver tool. not cheap but only way to go. Buy the right snap on snap ring pliers (P# SRPC9000A, in Canada), with these axel snap ring came off it 10 seconds, with out these it's a royal pain in the ***.


This is the best video for help on this job, made the job a lot easier.

Over all not a hard job if you have the right tools. All in all parts and tools, some aftermarket and some Ford, I am in for about $1200. Canadian. If I have to do it again I would order parts off ebay or amazon and likely save several hundred.

 

Actually used a piece of 3" Sch40 PVC pipe to drive my seals in.... less than $10.

That stupid axle dust seal is worthless... they're always messed up.