Wheel bearing question..
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: N.Y.
Wheel bearing question..
I have an 04 F250 4WD and I thought I had a road / tire noise for a while.. I put a brand new set of tires on the truck this weekend and it’s still there exactly how it was before the tire swap. Over the past several months its gotten worse and worse so I am thinking it’s one of the front wheel bearings. First and foremost, is there a way to be sure they or one of them is bad before I purchase a set?
I called around and did some research, and from what I understand it’s not a good idea to buy the Advance Auto Parts ones because they don’t last and aren’t good quality.
NAPA's top quality ones come with a 3 year warranty and are $315 each my cost (with my shop's discount)
CARQUEST is cheaper than NAPA but I haven’t seen any reviews on them online. I believe my cousin has them in his truck and he likes them.
I have a couple cars and I could order something online and wait for it to come in if it’s a decent deal and / or better quality. I don’t mind waiting for them to come in..
What do you suggest?
I plow, and tow and I want to do this once and never have to worry about it again. I never cheap out on anything I do so I want to do this right but I’m not a big fan of wasting $ if I don’t have to.
-Rob
I called around and did some research, and from what I understand it’s not a good idea to buy the Advance Auto Parts ones because they don’t last and aren’t good quality.
NAPA's top quality ones come with a 3 year warranty and are $315 each my cost (with my shop's discount)
CARQUEST is cheaper than NAPA but I haven’t seen any reviews on them online. I believe my cousin has them in his truck and he likes them.
I have a couple cars and I could order something online and wait for it to come in if it’s a decent deal and / or better quality. I don’t mind waiting for them to come in..
What do you suggest?
I plow, and tow and I want to do this once and never have to worry about it again. I never cheap out on anything I do so I want to do this right but I’m not a big fan of wasting $ if I don’t have to.
-Rob
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 32
From: AB/BC
To find the bad bearing you need to jack up the truck and check for play top to bottom ie push on top pull on bottom and vise versa if it has any noticeable movement at the hub the bearing is toast.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: N.Y.
do it with the tire on im assuming, correct? Just push up on the tire and push down on it to see if there is any movement? Any other ways to tell? Its making a growling sound thats driving me nuts 
Do you have any experience with one brand or another?
Do you have any experience with one brand or another?
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 32
From: AB/BC
Tire on push the top towords the motor and pull the bottom out and vise versa.If the bearing is shot you need a hub assembly it is a non serviceable bearing on the front of 4x4 not sure about the 2wd though.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Houston, TX
it could be noise coming ur locking hubs on ur front wheel hub assembly. here's the link to a maintenance website i found tats very specific in explanation on how to get it done. it's also the same year vehicle as urs as well.
2004 F250 ESOF Hub Service
2004 F250 ESOF Hub Service
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: N.Y.
Thanks for the info. I checked the wheel bearings and I dont think its them. I also performed the service on my hubs this summer and the noise is still the same.
Im thinking of putting the truck on a lift and putting it in gear so I can roll under it with a stethiscope to see if I can track down a little more of where the noise is coming from.
its driving me nuts!
Im thinking of putting the truck on a lift and putting it in gear so I can roll under it with a stethiscope to see if I can track down a little more of where the noise is coming from.
its driving me nuts!
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Saratoga Springs,UT
IMO you just checked the Ball Joints pushen and Pullen the top and bottom of the tires like you did
The Ball Joints is what holds the Tires vertical not the unit bearing
But Heres the kicker If you let the ball joints get REALLY bad the Unit Bearing Will wear into the Axel Shaft
IMO to check the unit bearing you would jack it up and spin the tire listen for noise and Drag
Even better would be to take the tire Off that way you would be able to feel the Unit bearing for smooth operation. If a bearing is bad You may have to replace the axel too
A Brake caliper thats draging could cause this issue to have you greased the slid pins in awhile
The Ball Joints is what holds the Tires vertical not the unit bearing
But Heres the kicker If you let the ball joints get REALLY bad the Unit Bearing Will wear into the Axel Shaft
IMO to check the unit bearing you would jack it up and spin the tire listen for noise and Drag
Even better would be to take the tire Off that way you would be able to feel the Unit bearing for smooth operation. If a bearing is bad You may have to replace the axel too
A Brake caliper thats draging could cause this issue to have you greased the slid pins in awhile
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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I just found this on my truck and it could be the same thing your hearing. Check the parking brakes. I found that the backing plates on mine had rusted so bad that the retaining clip that holds the pad in place came lose and the pad was rubbing against the heads of the wheel studs. This happened on both sides. Once I fixed it the noise went away. I had to replace all 16 studs plus new rotors and pads.
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Elder User
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From: N.Y.
Thanks for the info guys, I am going to do a 4 wheel brake job on the truck this weekend anyway so I will check everything out while its apart. Im hoping something jumps out at me while im doing the job and i can address it / fix it while its apart. I just hate it when things like this stump me! LOL
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