I'm new to the forum so please bear with me on stupid questions. I like to do as much work myself as I can on all my vehicles and have been doing much of the maintenance on my 06 Super Duty 6.0 diesel. I have a simple shop with a lift so I can get into more work than the average driveway / floor jack guy. Enough with the BS.

I recently had an issue with front end groaning and here's a quick rundown of where I'm at:

1. Rebuilt the front end almost exactly two years ago (hub bearings, seals, stub shaft u-joints)
2. Recently got some snow up here and plowed my driveway after a two year lack of plowing (gave up my commercial contracts) and noticed a front end growling, especially under deceleration and just figured wheel hub bearings had gone bad. I had previously plowed heavily since it was new in 06' so I was a little skeptical of the wheel bearings being bad since the new ones were installed two years and about 27,000 miles ago, but it sure sounded like it fit the bill.
3. Replaced both hubs and growling still there. Talked to my mechanic buddy (who I need to use from time to time when it gets too involved) and he told me it's more than likely the "front axle bearings". Sounds like it happened to his 04 Super Duty too.

So my questions are these:

1. Has anyone had to replace these before (these are the ones inside the front pumpkin) and if so, how difficult was it?
2. Anything else I should do / check while doing this? I would probably do the driveshaft u-joints just as a point of fact while it's out.
3. I found some simple Ford parts schematics and wondered if anyone has any special schematics they recommend.

Doesn't sound like it's something I need to do tomorrow, but I also don't want to get myself broken down as it's sounding like more snow is coming and I sold my other F250 gasser last month so this is my only vehicle. Any help / suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Hope this forum is helpful and informative.

 

You have what called a Unit Bearing

The Knuckle Seal also has Bearings in it

It could Also be Ujoints

Hub Bearings Shouldn't do this

 

Take the tire off and spin the unit bearing it should roll easy and smooth

My Wife pulled in the driveway last night at 9pm and said my Car is Grinding

It took me till 1 am to install UNIT BEARING with a Flashlight on her car LOL

I couldn't believe I had one laying around LOL



But it didn't Roll SMOOTH at all Sounded like the ABS Sensor came apart inside pretty loud grind

 

OK, I don't think I'm being clear, or maybe misunderstanding the responders. I replaced both hub bearing (foolishly as they probably weren't bad to begin with) and my next repair needs to be the axle bearings inside the front differential case. These would be where the half shafts enter the case at the gears.

 

When u pull apart the axle, the dust seals need to be replaced.

Maybe ur front differential needs more oil or something. U could drain it out and refill if u like and see if it goes away. To sum it up in a nutshell.

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Btw, do u get a growling just driving straight, or turning while driving, or turning from a dead stop, or just all the time from start to finish?

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Does not change when turning. More noticeable when decelerating because engine noise is decreased, but you can hear it (and feel it in the floorboard) at all times. Think it's too pronounced to he a ujoint.