I need to replace one of my front wheel bearing and hub assembley on my 99 F350 4 wheel drive. This truck has the vacume hubs. How big of a job is this? Any special tools needed?

 

Lets see....I don't really remember any really "special" tools that are required. I know for sure that the Ford replacement part comes complete with the ABS sensor and cable. Don't forget to replace your yellow O-ring so your hubs will still lock in for 4x4. I would reccommend having a big hammer laying around....just in case you need it. You will need a vice and some vise-grips (and maybe a blue-flame wrench) to get your old studs out of the old part to put into the new one. Seems like I recall using a pair of snap-ring pliers. Pay special attention to how the washers/spacers come off of the spindle behind the 4x4 locking mechanism. These will need to be replaced EXACTLY as they came off. Thats all I can think of right now. Sorry, but I have slept a few times since I did mine.........

 

Just get new studs and nuts from Ford ($11.00) that will save you lots of time and bad words. Actually it is pretty easy, if you can do brakes, you can do the hub assm. As RedTaurus94 said, replace the yellow O ring. Since you have vacuum hubs, this is important.

 

Thanks guys, My truck is a pre March 99 truck. I am having trouble finding the part most places only have a listing for post march 99 trucks with 4 wheel ABS. I only have 2 wheel ABS. Will make sure to get the four studs and O ring from Ford before I start.

 

Dang....wish I had known they sold the studs....or that I would've had sense enough to ask them.........

 

check with dynatrac, http://www.dynatrac.com/ they sell kits to get rid of your unit bearings. Not sure about prices but they seem stronger and are eaiser to service. if you carry alot of front end weight or off road alot i would look into them. they sell different kits so you can check into what will work best for you.

 

Did you say 4 studs?!?!

are you sure you don't own a Cheby?

 

As far as I know the only place to get the early bearings is the dealer.
Unless you get the newer units and have them machined cause they are .070 thicker in which area I'm not real sure about. I read a post where someone put washers behind the caliper mounting...You can get the newer bearings for $250.00 or so compared to the $350 for the dealer exact fit....I'm gonna be doing this in the future. I've been thinking about it but havn't gotten to it yet...Maybe this week I'll go to the dealer and get both bearings and measure them to see whats up..

Dick

 

I have the early model also.

I was wondering what the dif is between the years. If someone had access to part #'s I would think you could find which patrs are the same for early and late. Then maybe you could buy the late bearing with say the the late disc brake. I would think thought that if you also needed a new caliper it would get expensive.

I have noticed I can't find an aftermarket replacement disc for the front. It's the same story as the bearing.