I'm back and I have more problems with the PSD...

The front driveshafts have a considerable amount of play and are causing tire wear problems. IIRC this means I need to replace the whole hub/wheel bearing assembly. Correct me if I am wrong.
Are there directions out there on how to change them? Is this something you can do yourself? (other than the FEA when finished) Any recommended suppliers for the parts? Any tips? Just the brakes, four nuts, u joints, and a few other little things.
If I do this myself maybe I will finally strip all my vacuum hub stuff off.

 

Hey Scott, there is no need to go all the way to the u joints just to replace the unit bearings. Order up 2 bearings/hubs from Rock Auto (Timken for around $215/each) Remove caliper, caliper bracket and rotor. Remove the 4 nuts from the studs on the back side. The hub may require some persuasion to remove. The new Timken's should come with 4 new studs and a new yellow o ring. Re install in reverse order of removal.

Hope that is what you are looking for.

Tire wear could also be ball joints.

 

If you weren't on the other end of the state I'd be all for giving you a hand.

 

I agree with Ford79 about the timkens from rock auto, they are the best deal around. Also, get all the seals, because they will need to be replaced. I would just do the u joints while you are that far. Before you tear anything apart though, check your ball joints. Rock auto has good prices on those too. By the way, if you need to borrow my home made seal install tool, let me know. It's in Oconomowoc.

 

I would also check the ball joints.

 

If your tires are wearing abnormal I would be looking at 1- ball joints, 2- tie rod ends, 3- alignment first. If you have a bad wheel bearing you would not be driving very long as when they go bad they don't last long.

 

Both sides of the ball joints have been replaced in the last couple of years. I had to do one set when I put on my Coopers and another set when I put on my Firestones. They should be good, but you never know.
I just had Pete's in Whitewater rotate the tires and that is when we found this problem. Don't tell his insurance man. He will let you stand right there and watch the techs. That's why we looked into the front end a little more. We checked the wiggle in the fronts and there wasn't any. Am I correct in thinking this would find the bad ball joints?

Are we positive it is the hub/bearing assemblies? I might as well order those and get them moving.

What additional seals are in there besides the yellow oring? Do you order them from Rock Auto or Ford? Do I care if I have abandoned my auto lockers?

 

Is the only symptom the tire wear? Any vibrations or noise?

 

No, there are bigger symptoms. Where the driveshafts go into the wheels the LF flops like a fish and on the other side there at least .250" of play in the shaft.

 

The long end of the axle can move around a lot.
Here is a good place to look at the hubs, from Guzzle.

ttp://www.guzzle7pt3.com/maint.php
Just scroll down a ways.

 

To answer your original question. Yes you can.
Someone posted an excellent article on here. Step by step with Pix. I can't find it just now, but someone will post up soon.
Be sure which wheel studs you need, fine or coarse. and all the seals for the front hubs.
ABS or not. I believe the big seal is only available from Ford.
The special tool for pressing on the seal can be made from Lowes for about $8.00.
It will be shown with the step by step. Use the search function and you can probably find it. Jim

Here is some more.

http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/maint.php

 

This is both a ball joint and hub R&R LINK

 

Yeah, they move around a lot more than I thought they would.

 

Can you replace just the spindle bearings? I know the wheel bearings can not be replaced on their own, but I read something about the needle bearings being pressed into the hub assembly.

 

Yes if your unit bearing is ok, then go to NAPA 25$ apiece knock it out tap it back in, it's easy.