I have searched and read a lot about this issue. i am just looking for some advice for my situation.
99 f250 4x4 psd. 199000 miles on the odo

So i have ben having issues with the 4x4 lately. I plow with the truck and it certainly gets it's fair share of abuse.
The autolock does not work so i have to manually lock the hubs.
Whenever i put it in 4x4 there a myriad of funky sounds that come from the frotn left hub. Clunking when turning, accompanied by random squeaks and it also feels like something is binding when i make tight turns.

now for the dilema. I have read the diy on servicing the needle bearings. I do not have a garage and i dont not really feel any desire to get out there in the freezing cold and mess around with something that i have not done before.

so my options/questions are:
wait till spring and deal with it then?
if so do i risk causing more damage than there already is?
Take it to a shop and have them deal with it
i imagine this would result in them replacing the whole assembly? $$
Replace front bearing/hub assembly myself
will this be easier than dissasembly/serviceing the bearings?

any advice would be appreciated. I am just looking for the easiest solution withou having to spend a boatload.

 

If you are hearing it, it is time for a replacement, but.. I believe what you may need to look at will be the Front U joint feeding that wheel..

 

ok. thanks for the relpy... how difficult is a u joint to replace? do i need a bench press?

 

Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page

Heres a link to the hub assembly with picks.
Helped me out.

 

thanks i've been reading that

just trying to decide if i can wait till spring (or a warm weekend)and do it myself or if i should take it to a shop

 

IF it is the u joint, most likely you can wait, I use a press, but with age, I have learned its worth the cost to save on the labor sometimes.

IF it is the bearings, you could do more damage to the spindle if it isnt already tearing it up.

 

is there any way to tell which it is?
should i check for excess play?

 

The u joint, you should be able to put a small pry bar in, and be able to shift it in any of the 4 dirctions, slightly. The wheel bearing, normally by lifting that side and spinning, you may also use a pry bar and lift up from under the tire, like you would for a ball joint. YOu can free spin it, but this can be missleading, you may hear brakes instead of bearings. Another test, use your hand on the center of the hub after a long drive, normally it should be cool to touch, compare to other side.

 

I have been working on my ball joints this past week and also replacing my hub assembly. I know the ball joints were bad and also my driver side hub would make a lot of noise. The difference with my was that the noise would only happen in 2 wheel drive, hubs unlocked and would go away when the hubs are locked. When I took the hub assembly off the needle bearing in the hub was shot. Looking at it, it made sense to me why it would not make noise when the hub was locked. When the hud is locked, the hub and the drive shaft are turning together and the bearing is not moving. When the hub is unlooked, the hud and the drive shaft would not turn at the same rate and the bearing is moving and making a lot of noise. Well at least that's what I think, I could be totally wrong. So with yours making noise when the hub is locked makes me think that it might not be your needle bearing but something else. Hope this helps.

 

If you have read this you should have realized that once you remove the locking hub (takes less then a minute) you can take it inside to clean and lube it. This is different than the needle bearing maintenance.