Wheel can wiggle left and right but not up and down. Figured needs bearings repacked or replaced. Removed 4WD hub and wheel hub and rotor and saw 4WD hub is shot. Maybe the spindle is also?
1995 F150 5.0L ESOF 4WD auto lockinghubs with 3-screw cap. It had been sitting for many years before I got it a year ago. While replacing shocks and brakes, I noticed I could wiggle right front wheel left and right pretty much. Up and down did not move. My first thought was tie rods or ball joints but they look good. I replaced tie rod ends soon after I got it as the boots were cracked and dried. Si I pulled the 4WD hub off and saw the pics below. Pulled the wheel hub and rotor to do the bearings and bearings actually looked ok. Lacking in grease but not damaged that I could see. Got new ones anyway. Auto 4WD hub shot, with teeth bent on the castle (?) nut of the hub. I've never engaged 4WD at all. Decided to replace them with MM manual hubs. Got new wheel hubs/rotor, new MM 4WD hubs (and replacement kit), new inner/outer bearings.
Now looking at the spindle to clean it up and replace the rotor/hub, I'm not sure if this is good or do I need to replace it? Haven't pulled driver side yet but I assume it's just as bad.
Sorry for the long story but I've learned a hell of a lot from these forums and I've noted that relaying some background info and what you're trying to accomplish helps folks help you. So my question is can I still use this spindle?
Thanks!

 

That spindle looks good to me. Also, I have never had to replace a hub/rotor combo. Usually just replace the rotor and reuse the hub with new bearings and such.

 

If you aren't planning on driving across the country with it, I think it will last. I would clean it up with some emery and replace/repack the bearings and drive it, if all you do is just local stuff. If it starts to talk to you down the road then replace it.

 

Agree,looks fine.

 

Are you concerned about the corrosion on the spindle? That doesn't scare me. I'd drive on it.

 

Depending on what that stuff is in the hub, I might replace that, but as they said above, the spindle doesn't look bad. Also, there will be some slop in the shaft, so that is normal, not a ton, but some.

 

Spindle looks good to me too. I'd run it. Mine look worse and I don't have any issues. Fresh bearings and races may be in order, and good chance the inner spindle bearing is junk.

 

Thanks. Yes, the corrosion area is my concern with it. If you zoom in you can see its a little pitted there as well.

 

Definitely noticed slop in the shaft. I can move it about 1/8 inch in any direction but I figured that's because the wheel hub and 4WD hub aren't supporting the end. Have new bearings and races for the wheel. I've been working to get that spindle off all day to replace the bearing in there also. Man what a beast. Gotta convince the wife I need to buy an air hammer.

 

+1 for the spindle looks good (you still need to pull the spindle off and check / pack the spindle bearing)
The shaft can move around in there and be okay
There is the spindle bearing and the seals on the inside is all, and the axle floats in the spindle
The washer and retainer ring on the outside
Ford makes special automatic hub grease, use it or similar

 

Red n Tacky grease for the wheel and spindle bearings. Going with manual 4wd hubs and if I understand correctly I should use very little grease in there.

 

True, the manual hubs themselves need not much grease
You will be discarding the outer washer along with the snap ring on a manual conversion
Then you will use the outside groove for the one that comes in your manual hubs kit