Ignorant Bearing question - help
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Ignorant Bearing question - help
Hello All,
Having conflicting opinions. One from Ford and the other from independent shop regarding front hub "spindle / needle bearings.
One says hubs are a sealed unit and no service required and the other says not
true, the needle bearings need to be greased.
Opinions please. They want $250.00 to grease.
Thanks for your help,
A & J
Having conflicting opinions. One from Ford and the other from independent shop regarding front hub "spindle / needle bearings.
One says hubs are a sealed unit and no service required and the other says not
true, the needle bearings need to be greased.
Opinions please. They want $250.00 to grease.
Thanks for your help,
A & J
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
The "hub" or "wheel bearing assembly" is not servicable, it is a sealed unit bearing. The actual "hubs" to engage the 4WD are servicable and do have needle bearings that can be lubricated. Here's a link to the maintenance of the hubs, very simple to do, Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 355
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From: Wichita, KS
You can replace the entire hub with a timken for $250 so I wouldn't pay that to have it greased. It is a sealed unit but if you remove the ABS Sensor you can squirt grease down the hole to the needle bearings. I think someone on here sells the part to do it right. Do a search or someone will be along shortly.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Oregon City, Oregon
The 4X4 wheel bearing assembly is a sealed unit. Some people grease them througth the abs hole on top of the unit. Either way there is a needle bearing that rides on the axle. It can be located in the very center of the assembly and is visible without taking the units apart. It does need periodic greasing.
The new assembly should come pre-lubricated but you will also want to lube the locking hub assembly, the axle, needle bearing, etc before installation.
It's probably a good idea to take apart the locking hub assembly to clean and lubricate that sucker as well
The new assembly should come pre-lubricated but you will also want to lube the locking hub assembly, the axle, needle bearing, etc before installation.
It's probably a good idea to take apart the locking hub assembly to clean and lubricate that sucker as well
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O.K.
So then I don't need this supposed service per se.
It was the independent shop that told me to have the "Needle bearings" serviced / greased.
Ford said it was a sealed unit and no service required.
I have 84,000 miles on the newly purchased 03". Seemed odd to me such a conflict.
It was the independent shop that told me to have the "Needle bearings" serviced / greased.
Ford said it was a sealed unit and no service required.
I have 84,000 miles on the newly purchased 03". Seemed odd to me such a conflict.
Thread Starter
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based on what was said....
"Some people grease them througth the abs hole on top of the unit. Either way there is a needle bearing that rides on the axle. It can be located in the very center of the assembly and is visible without taking the units apart. It does need periodic greasing."
If I am unable to do so (broken up back) what sort of shop could do this? I have a Lee Schwab near me........
any ideas and to what cost?
If I am unable to do so (broken up back) what sort of shop could do this? I have a Lee Schwab near me........
any ideas and to what cost?
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
What is the issue you are having, my post is showing there are 2 different things that people refer to as "hub" One is a unit bearing assembly, where the wheel bearings are, which can be greased through the ABS hole, but that is not greasing the needle bearing? It is greasing the bearing assembly, which cannot be opened or serviced without destroying it as it has the race machined into the assembly.
The other "hub" is the autolocking hub portion, which is very servicable and easy to do. As shown in the link I attached.
Are you experiencing noise, grinding? Only in 4WD or all the time?
The other "hub" is the autolocking hub portion, which is very servicable and easy to do. As shown in the link I attached.
Are you experiencing noise, grinding? Only in 4WD or all the time?
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Postmaster
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From: Oregon City, Oregon
Taking the wheel bearing assembly off of these trucks is a bit of a chore... especially with a bad back.
If the wheel bearing assembly is bad... then the entire unit needs to be replaced and they are about $225 for each side. If you are just trying to service things on a newly purchased truck then I would think that just about any shop with a tech with half a braing could figure it out. It's really just a matter of smearing some grease around the needle bearing and checking things out to ensure nothing has been damaged. A shop will have to take the works apart to make a thorough inspection anyway so slapping some grease in there shouldn't be too much trouble.
If the wheel bearing assembly is bad... then the entire unit needs to be replaced and they are about $225 for each side. If you are just trying to service things on a newly purchased truck then I would think that just about any shop with a tech with half a braing could figure it out. It's really just a matter of smearing some grease around the needle bearing and checking things out to ensure nothing has been damaged. A shop will have to take the works apart to make a thorough inspection anyway so slapping some grease in there shouldn't be too much trouble.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 9
From: Leander Texas
The bearings they are talking about lubeing are under the red dust seal in the first pic on the back of the hub. This isn't a gravy job for someone with a bad back, but depending on your level of pain you could do it. The second pic shows the bearings and as you can see, this new timken unit did not come greased. If your hubs are still in good shape and they are abs, I would recommend greasing them up through the abs hole once a year. Some different companies make compatible grease, but I've found most all auto places have mobil 1 synthetic in stock.
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not sure
Excuse my mechanical ignorance but the mechanic only stated that "you should have the needle bearings serviced on that truck." "It needs to be greased."
I had a 99" with manual locking hubs prior to this truck with auto switch locking dial type. So, I am not sure what he means and again, Ford said it didn't need it.
Should I use you link and attempt to perform myself?
I am servicing this vehcile in that I am basically changing all fluids and such with the advice and recommendations I have read on this great resource of a web site.
So far I have changed the fuel filter and oil with Rotella Syn 5-40W (cold out here). I will change coolent (Fleet ELC HD), thermostat, upper and lower rad hoses, trans - will have John Woods Valve Body installed and synthetic, fron tan drear diffs using that purple stuff....(<:
Thank you for your help
I had a 99" with manual locking hubs prior to this truck with auto switch locking dial type. So, I am not sure what he means and again, Ford said it didn't need it.
Should I use you link and attempt to perform myself?
I am servicing this vehcile in that I am basically changing all fluids and such with the advice and recommendations I have read on this great resource of a web site.
So far I have changed the fuel filter and oil with Rotella Syn 5-40W (cold out here). I will change coolent (Fleet ELC HD), thermostat, upper and lower rad hoses, trans - will have John Woods Valve Body installed and synthetic, fron tan drear diffs using that purple stuff....(<:
Thank you for your help
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not at all I think
I haven't even put it in 4 wheel drive yet since I just got the truck and snow is gone for now. No grinding in 2 wheel drive.
I just want to perform preventative stuff right now and have all fluids changed out so I have a base line on the 84K mile 03' to work with.
So, should I even bother with needle bearing stuff issue right now and save the $250.00?
I just want to perform preventative stuff right now and have all fluids changed out so I have a base line on the 84K mile 03' to work with.
So, should I even bother with needle bearing stuff issue right now and save the $250.00?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
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From: Leander Texas
We are speaking of 2 different hubs here. One being the 4wd locking hubs, wich need to be maintained and probably haven't since your truck was new. The other is the sealed unit bearing that also needs to be serviced, even though some say it can't be. On the cheap the timken unit bearing is $200 each. Some folks on here have been greasing them through the abs hole for many miles and they are still trucking. You will save a ton of money in parts and labor if you can keep them greased. As far as I'm concerned that is.
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I assume he means the 4 Wheel Drive locking hubs - needle bearings and not opening the sealed unit. Again at a cost of $250.00
If I wasn't an old guy with all the hardware in my back (unable to lift more than 40 lbs. now) and nerve damage I would attempt to to as described in the link. With that at hand I guess I have to trust this guy - I hate saying trust a mechanic!
I appreciate the responses....
If I wasn't an old guy with all the hardware in my back (unable to lift more than 40 lbs. now) and nerve damage I would attempt to to as described in the link. With that at hand I guess I have to trust this guy - I hate saying trust a mechanic!
I appreciate the responses....