Notices
Excursion - King of SUVs 2000 - 2005 Ford Excursion
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

help please!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 02:17 PM
  #1  
jayjjcc's Avatar
jayjjcc
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 2
help please!

I had a little bit of play in the wheels when I rocked them from the top and bottom and alot of wander and clunking so I changed the balljoints with Mevotech balljoints.

It went well but now the play when rocking from top and bottom position on tire is alot worse.

I recorded the movements or lack of... the balljoints don't even seem to be the problem anymore since I can't SEE any movements from them.

What could it be? It seems everytime I try to fix something on this truck it just gets worse...

I changed both top and bottom balljoints, u joints, knuckle seal, dust seal and o ring. Greased everything and repacked the bearings... even greased the hub assembly through the ABS hole...

When I rock it, the u joints move around but the balljoints dont seem to...
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 02:26 PM
  #2  
jmurray101's Avatar
jmurray101
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Sound like you are going to need some unit bearings, they are very common to need replaced.
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 02:49 PM
  #3  
jayjjcc's Avatar
jayjjcc
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 2
They are a year old (although I'm not sure what brand, I bought them brand new from someone who had sold his truck before replacing them - probably ebay no name) and both were fine before.

The only thing I did to them was grease them through the abs hole... I pumped alot in there but could that really have ruined them?
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 08:01 PM
  #4  
jayjjcc's Avatar
jayjjcc
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 2
Well... either I'm an idiot or I have really bad luck. I remember reading somewhere that to grease your bearings you just pumped grease in there until it started seeping out the seams.

Well it turns out mine were hermetically sealed or something and I pumped in too much grease I guess because now they're ruined.

Both were fine before, now both have a lot of play in the 12 & 6 and the 9 & 3 positions now.

I slapped on an old (previously removed) bearing assembly and it confirms the situation. Maybe one day I'll be able to fix something without breaking something else.

 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 08:12 PM
  #5  
EXv10's Avatar
EXv10
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Originally Posted by jayjjcc
Well... either I'm an idiot or I have really bad luck. I remember reading somewhere that to grease your bearings you just pumped grease in there until it started seeping out the seams.

Well it turns out mine were hermetically sealed or something and I pumped in too much grease I guess because now they're ruined.

Both were fine before, now both have a lot of play in the 12 & 6 and the 9 & 3 positions now.

I slapped on an old (previously removed) bearing assembly and it confirms the situation. Maybe one day I'll be able to fix something without breaking something else.

Grease has NOTHING to do with them being loose.......NOTHING!
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 08:42 PM
  #6  
Archion's Avatar
Archion
Logistics Pro
Veteran: Marine Corps
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,829
Likes: 104
From: Martinsburg, WV
Club FTE Gold Member
More than likely they were the cheap fleabay bearings, some of them are so cheap they can't last that long under the weight.
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 10:26 PM
  #7  
jayjjcc's Avatar
jayjjcc
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 2
The had to be the cheap units... but believe it or not they were fine before and loose after. What else could it be? The truck was on jackstands the whole time!
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 10:27 PM
  #8  
jayjjcc's Avatar
jayjjcc
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 2
I'm going ahead and purchasing a quality pair of wheel bearings.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 5, 2014 | 10:08 AM
  #9  
EXv10's Avatar
EXv10
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Originally Posted by jayjjcc
The had to be the cheap units... but believe it or not they were fine before and loose after. What else could it be? The truck was on jackstands the whole time!
Maybe they had so much debris in there that they would move the full distance before you greased them on the road but not by hand and when you greased them they eased up and were able to move easily by hand. There is no way adding grease would hurt them. As an example I packed both of mine so full grease was oozing everywhere 2 years ago and they are still very tight after 170k miles.
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2014 | 11:11 AM
  #10  
Tom's Avatar
Tom
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by EXv10
Maybe they had so much debris in there that they would move the full distance before you greased them on the road but not by hand and when you greased them they eased up and were able to move easily by hand. There is no way adding grease would hurt them. As an example I packed both of mine so full grease was oozing everywhere 2 years ago and they are still very tight after 170k miles.
^^^ THIS.

You can't hurt them by adding more lubrication.
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2014 | 01:59 PM
  #11  
jayjjcc's Avatar
jayjjcc
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 2
I'm trying to say that cheap brands are cheap not that greasing is bad. These ones lasted about 18 months & 15k miles. Terrible, especially when you figure that the Ex was parked for 6 of those months.
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2014 | 08:49 PM
  #12  
fordboy2's Avatar
fordboy2
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 11
From: freeland, mi
Details on what to do to grease them? My truck has 190000 miles on it now probably wouldnt hurt to grease them.
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2014 | 09:03 PM
  #13  
jayjjcc's Avatar
jayjjcc
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 2
I had 3/8" OD surgical tubing left over from the door seal mod. I cut a length about an inch long, stuck a zerk in one opening and put the other end in the ABS sensor hole and pumped grease into it.

Best part is, it worked real well... they spun easier than ever.
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2014 | 06:30 AM
  #14  
WE3ZS's Avatar
WE3ZS
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,052
Likes: 1,550
From: Media PA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by jayjjcc
I had 3/8" OD surgical tubing left over from the door seal mod. I cut a length about an inch long, stuck a zerk in one opening and put the other end in the ABS sensor hole and pumped grease into it.

Best part is, it worked real well... they spun easier than ever.

Good luck with the replacement bearings, I know you gotta be frustrated with doing all of the balljoint work and still having a drivable rig!


Originally Posted by fordboy2
Details on what to do to grease them? My truck has 190000 miles on it now probably wouldnt hurt to grease them.
I bought a fitting from Andy (Snowseeker) and shot about 24 pumps of Mobil 1 red synth into each hub bearing almost 3 years ago and they are still running cool and smooth.
Info on the fitting here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1234633-how-its-made-fte-zerk-fitting.html
And here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1111501-brotherhood-of-the-travelling-hub-zerk.html
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2014 | 12:16 PM
  #15  
EXv10's Avatar
EXv10
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I took mine out and packed them until they oozed everywhere with just a funnel and a grease gun 3 years ago and they are still cool and tight at 175k miles. I truly believe the grease saved them.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ricko
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
5
May 24, 2018 11:28 PM
brooksa44
Excursion - King of SUVs
19
Feb 15, 2015 04:37 PM
stevestroke01
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Dec 26, 2011 07:17 PM
WVF150VIANC
1997 - 2003 F150
4
Apr 14, 2005 08:55 AM
drillerdan
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Nov 21, 2004 06:28 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:02 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE