Well the dually that belongs to my friend (the one i swapped suspensions with in tex) started showing its butt this past weekend. Complete new break hardware in the rear, including new seals and packed the bearings. All of that was very needed, but it didn't solve the vibration that he called and described to me.

Driving at basically any speed, triggered by the slightest bump. Can feel it in the seat and the floor but not the steering wheel. Will stop with a slight bump as well, but most if the time slowing down to less than 10mph will make it stop. Doesn't seem to change frequency or pitch with speed.

The very first thing that came to mind was Honeydew's vibration a few months ago. I crawled underneath and used a crow bar to pry up in the axle shaft ujoint. Both sides had play, confirming that the needle bearings were shot.

To be sure, I compared the movement on my truck (which was zero ). Seeing and feeling the difference, that's definitely the problem. Will be pulling the hubs and replacing the needle bearings Sunday on both sides, cleaning and lubing the slide pins, replacing the driver side knuckle seal, and shooting some grease in the abs holes.

All in all it should be less than $100 in parts, and a few hours if quality time with a good friend before I move. Just wanted to point out that it's well worth servicing those needle bearings regularly so they don't have to be replaced in a pinch. This will be the third known case of bad needle bearings this year (Honeydew, txdoug, and my friend), so it's good to know the symptoms and be able to properly diagnose the issue quickly. I will try to document the play in the axle shaft when we get to it.

 

I had this same same symptom earlier this year with a truck i just bought. The needle bearings took care of it, I think i commented one one of the other threads. Pretty straight forward job.

 

In the meantime, to prevent further damage, manually lock the hubs so there is no turning inside those needles.

The transfer case isn't in 4WD, so there won't be a major problem with it.

Pop

 

Already had him lock them

 

We're all in this learning adventure together......

Good job!

Pop

 

I thought some play/movement was normal on these "floating" axles. No?

 

I didn't know you could buy them. I thought the hole hub had to be replaced. So dose any parts store sell these needle bearing? What ones are best? Are they the same on e99 cc 4x4's as late model?

 

Yep napa sells them separately from the hub. I forgot the number but it's like bg2108 or something to that effect. I think they're in the ballpark of 26$ ea. They knock right out of the hub with a hammer and punch.

 

How does the bearing face on the stub axle look?

 

Who are you asking?

 

The OP. But anyone who has had this occur is welcome to respond. I was curious since I had the same symptoms of periodic growling/vibration in the front axle a few years back. Locking the hub eliminated it. I learned here that it was the needle bearings. What I did notice was that the stub axle face/race was slightly worn and uneven with some slight blueing, obviously overstressed due to the failed bearing. (The bearings were dry and rusty). I went forward without addressing the stub axle and replaced the bearing to buy some time until I could deal with replacing the stub axle. So far, at over 2 years and about 15k or so miles, it hasn't acted up, but I also haven't opened it up since.

 

Some play.... Depends on your definition of "some" I guess. On my truck, there was a very slight flex at the u joint. I wouldn't call it play though (but come to think of it my hubs were locked, so that may void the comparison test). On the patient truck, there was more movement, not really flex, but actual movement.

As far as I know, they are the same.

B2110 I believe. I'll post the guzzle write up at the bottom of this post, or it's available if you click on "guzzle" in my sig.
Edit: yes B2110 is correct. Here's the write up. http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/nblube.php


I won't know until I get into it Sunday. Will take some pics to share though.

 

And for the record, there's been a LOT of discussion and questions about which grease to use on the front bearings. I like the Mobil 1 synthetic grease, but ford does offer the original 4x4 front axle and bearing grease if you want to stick with that. Here's a short thread that addresses it.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12476740

There are much longer threads that discuss the moly fortified issue, but definitely get lithium complex based.

 

I thought my problem was a locking hub at first, since one of mine grenaded (manual type). Replaced it and the sound went away for a while but I think the hub supported the shaft better. Turns out it was the needle bearings. I bought the truck this way with 217k on it so I had no idea how long this was happening for. The stub shafts were undoubtedly worn with about a 1/16' groove worn in it. I just slapped it back together and figured if it makes noise I'd address it( Go easy on me ). So far 3k miles and no problems at all. I repacked quite liberally with napa wheel bearing grease. I donno if over greasing will affect you ESOF guys but I really packed it in there. I dont have ABS so I cant repack the hub bearing.

 

Packing the needle bearings shouldn't hurt esof action. When servicing the esof hub lock mechanism though, you have to make sure not to use too much or it may not lock properly. That service is on guzzle's page as well.