I have a 2004 f-350 4X4. I am changing the front wheel bearings, the axl is a solid axle and the bearings come as a hub assembly. So far that is going ok. I am on the 2nd one, and the axle, in the end of the axle tube is moving a lot.from looking on line, it looks like it is only a seal, no bearing, and it just pops out I do not have to open the differential to get the axle out? I would search for more information, if you can tell me what to search for.
Thanks for the help.

 

A couple of how to threads linked below, with good step by step and pictures.

2004 F250 Super Duty 4x4

The axle does pull out, if the large vacuum seal is broken you'll either need the tool or to make one.

 

Wow, one hell of a 2004 F250 tech page! Great job on MIG welding that nut on onto your broke exhaust stud that was buried in the head 1/4", I would not have had to the guts to have tried that, but maybe in the future I will. Will post a link to your page onto my 2000 F250 page..

 

it is not the large vacuum seal, but the seal at the end of the axle pipe. what normally supports the axle at that seal? what are the odds of breaking the large vacuum seal when doing this?

 

Here's another video, looks like the guy saved the Vacuum seal.

 

thanks for the video. I am not sure how the dust seal goes in, I got a timken 710413, i was trying to put it on the axle instead of the tube because that is how the old one was. his looks completely different than mine. I had to replace the vacuum seal it cane apart. I will try and put it into the housing and see if that works. but them i do not think it will line up with the rim on the axle.
I believe an 04 with a diesel has a dana 60 front end?

 

The axle tube seal has been upgraded. I'm pretty sure the new seal is a Spicer 710701. I just installed these in a 2007 front axle....and in every way they look like a better solution than the previous dust seal. The 710413 seal will fail in a short amount of time.

 

This won’t fit on the older axles, I tried a long time ago. It is a better seal, but the tube size is different if I remember correctly

 

Up to 2004 is the Dana 60 (30 spline) and starting in 2005 (coil front suspension) it goes to the Dana Super 60 (35 spline). The axle diameter is larger for the Super 60 so things are not interchangeable pre-2005 and post-2004.

The newer dust seal works much better than the old one.

 

thank you. i will stick with the one i have and see about getting it back together.. From how well the seal is in there, i should have not messed with it. But I have learned from it. Thanks

 

I got this all back together, now i am having an issue with the vacuum hub. I can pull it down with a mighty vac hand pump but it leaks up quickly.
i did not replace the o-ring on the locking assembly. and it pushed into the hub very easy. There was an o-ring that was included with the hub, that was much larger in cross section that what was in the truck. do i need to install this fatter o-ring? On the drivers side i did not replace the big seal, but did no the passengers side. both seem to do the same with the hand pump. i ordered the parts from rock auto wjb hub assembly.
I would take any ideas for what i need to do
Thanks

 

There's a vacuum leak somewhere. Every time I pulled things apart I always used new o-rings and seals as I wanted the best chance of things working the first time around and lasting awhile. Not saying that others haven't had success re-using parts but I was not enthralled with the thought of tearing everything back apart for an o-ring or seal.

It's hard to tell where the leak is unless you start ruling things out. Are you sure you are only testing the hub or the whole system? I've had leaks in the hub, vacuum line connection at the knuckle, and the pulse hub solenoid.

Did everything work okay before you replaced the hubs?

 

yes everything worked ok before the change of the hub. I and just connecting my hand pump where the truck vac line connects. The only o-ring i did not replace was the one on the locking assembly because the one with the hub seemed so much different. but the locking part did slide in really easy. How hard should it be to insert it?

 

The hardest part is lining up the inter and outer splines between the hubs. After that it should slide in easy and seat.