Repeat Front Hub Failures -- 2WD Try this situation -- Purchased 2006 F-150 XL with 57,000 miles. Truck built on 05/24/2006.
Sept 2011 68,621 miles -- Left front hub failure -- Wheel bearing grinding -- Done by Bell Ford in Phoenix.
2013 -- Left front hub failure -- wheel bearing grinding -- done by independent shop.
Sept 2014 -- Left front hub failure -- wheel bearing grinding -- done by independent shop.
Sept 2016 -- Upper & lower control arms, struts, strut mounts, springs replaced -- Quality part used -- Complete front end alignment -- Brake job front and rear.
Nov 2016 -- New performance exhaust system due to exhaust leaks.
Dec 2016 -- Failed automatic transmission -- Remanufactured FORD transmission installed w/ 36 mo warranty. Sanderson Ford gets an A+
March 16, 2017 151,000 miles -- Left front hub failure -- wheel bearing grinding! Verified by jacking up truck and spinning left front wheel -- GRIND! This is coming from down in the hub. This is a 2 wheel drive truck. Yes, you counted correctly, this will be the 4th replacement on the Left side!
NO Towing! NO Overloading! Wheels are 2006 XLT style Aluminum rims with P235/70R17 Michelin XLT M/S (Defender LTX) tires all around.

It only hauls maybe 200 to 300 pounds of electronic equipment at the max, once in a while.
This is driving me crazy! I always use FORD PARTS for the HUB ASSEMBLIES.
Anyone have any ideas. Really loosing faith, the front right hub is OEM original - NEVER CHANGED!
Anyone from FORD please chime in on this issue.
HELP PLEASE!
Wallace

 

bearings only fail from lack of lube, or improper adjustment.......... hard to believe it has happened 4 times on the same wheel, but I would guess improper bearing preload.

 

Well the first replacement was at 68,000 miles approx. This was by Bell Ford in Phoenix.
The truck will be going to Sanderson Ford in Glendale, AZ. They are an A+++ dealership! They did an excellent on my transmission replacement. They are checking with Ford Reps on this failure.
Thanks for your reply!
Wallace

 

Surprised you have got 151,000 miles on your right front brake rotor. I have an 06 2WD and switched to the Centric 2 piece hub and rotor conversion kit at about 100,000 miles. I have about 60,000 on the Centric hubs and rotors. You may want to take a look at it. At least if it keeps happening the hub with bearing is only $75.

 

Just for others that have seen this issue, I have some information that you might find interesting.
I have contacted numerous service centers thru the valley. MOST of them do NOT have a torque wrench that will do the required 296 Ft Lbs. The ones that do heavy truck service usually have the necessary wrench.
If you have had a failure, check with the service center and find out if they have the required wrench. IF NOT then inform them that they installed a hub and it has failed. Once they know they have screwed up, by not following proper installation procedure, they will usually make good on their mistake.
The independent service center that installed 2 of my hubs, did NOT have the correct tools. The manager ordered and paid for (2) Centric 2 piece hub/rotor kits. Needless to say that a few of his mechanics are in very HOT water for not putting this truck together properly. It is always important to find an honest service center and to have a good relationship with them.

 

for the last 100 years, 2 wheel drive front wheel bearings have been adjusted to a few foot pounds and then back off till they rotate freely.. That's because they are two SEPERATE bearings with a space between them and you need a couple thousands clearance for operation........ all that changed with the new F150 2 x 4 hubs in 2005. They are made like the new 4 x 4 hubs.. two bearings combined into ONE, with the inner races TOUCHING each other. They need to be TIGHT together, no clearance.. therefore 295 ft pounds.. I would guess the mechanics setup the hubs WAY TOO LOOSE.

 

IMHO, definitely the issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and there is no excue for it. If you do not own a torque wrench that goes to the 250 lb+, you can use what is called a torque multiplier...basically it's an extension arm that attaches to the torque wrench....for mine (which goes up to 150 lbs), is used (ie fabbed up) and 18" one.......that's all it takes

 

When I did the rotors on my '07 I bought the torque wrench from Harbor Freight. They are cheap enough, any shop really should have it, even though it is ¾ drive.