wheel bearings
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
It's not difficult at all. There are slight differences between the brake retainers on 150s and 250s, but the internals are the same. The two big things to note are:
1. you will need a Dana 44 spindle nut socket to remove the nuts; and
2. there is a snap ring that fits in a groove around the outside of the splined hub that holds the hub guts in. most people miss that one. Just use a pick to get it started, and it will pop right out.
While you're in there, double check the spindle for nicks or wear, and replace the inner grease seal.
Good luck,
Ernie
1. you will need a Dana 44 spindle nut socket to remove the nuts; and
2. there is a snap ring that fits in a groove around the outside of the splined hub that holds the hub guts in. most people miss that one. Just use a pick to get it started, and it will pop right out.
While you're in there, double check the spindle for nicks or wear, and replace the inner grease seal.
Good luck,
Ernie
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
Yeah Dude,
The rotor comes off last. After you remove the two spindle nuts (theres a perforated washer between), slide the rotor forward. The outer bearing will fall out in your hand and the inner bearing will be held in place by the seal. You'll be looking at a bare spindle and a dust shield.
Ernie
The rotor comes off last. After you remove the two spindle nuts (theres a perforated washer between), slide the rotor forward. The outer bearing will fall out in your hand and the inner bearing will be held in place by the seal. You'll be looking at a bare spindle and a dust shield.
Ernie
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: North Central Montana
As stated, don't start till you have the spindle nut socket in hand. It's next to impossible to remove the nuts without it.
Pay close attention to the nuts when you put them back in. The inside one has a little pin in it that points outward and meshes with the perforated washer. Check and triple check that the pin is seated in one of the holes. You can only do this by touch since you can't see inside there well enough to tell. Just feel around and make sure the washer is seated tight to the inside nut then you can install the outside nut.
There may be a second external snap ring on the hub around the shaft that sticks out the middle. It's easier to see than the one holding the main body in.
Pay close attention to the nuts when you put them back in. The inside one has a little pin in it that points outward and meshes with the perforated washer. Check and triple check that the pin is seated in one of the holes. You can only do this by touch since you can't see inside there well enough to tell. Just feel around and make sure the washer is seated tight to the inside nut then you can install the outside nut.
There may be a second external snap ring on the hub around the shaft that sticks out the middle. It's easier to see than the one holding the main body in.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 26
From: Connecticut
Just did inner and outer berings on my '86 F-150 Stepside 4x4.
Turned the rotors and new pads also. 2 hours total time.
cpetty more7777, if yours is an '86 you wont have the 2-lock nuts and perforated ring to mess with.
The lock nut system is a 1-piece system in '86. when you use the spindle nut socket, the lock-ring cones out in 1-piece. There is still a tab on the inside of the 1-piece that has to be lined up with the grove in the spindle.
A torque wrench is adviseable.
***Old torque values (for lock ring with a pin, perforated lock ring, outer locknut) Place lock nut with the pin in first (pin out) tighten to 90 ftlbs while rotating the wheel bach and forth, Back off 90 degrees. Install perforated ring. MAKE SURE to get the pin into one of the holes in the pref. ring!
Install second lock ring to 100 ftlbs.
********Newer style 1-piece ratchet lock ring. Line up tab and groove, tighten to 70 ftlbs, back off 45 degrees. retighten to 20 ftlbs.
Turned the rotors and new pads also. 2 hours total time.
cpetty more7777, if yours is an '86 you wont have the 2-lock nuts and perforated ring to mess with.
The lock nut system is a 1-piece system in '86. when you use the spindle nut socket, the lock-ring cones out in 1-piece. There is still a tab on the inside of the 1-piece that has to be lined up with the grove in the spindle.
A torque wrench is adviseable.
***Old torque values (for lock ring with a pin, perforated lock ring, outer locknut) Place lock nut with the pin in first (pin out) tighten to 90 ftlbs while rotating the wheel bach and forth, Back off 90 degrees. Install perforated ring. MAKE SURE to get the pin into one of the holes in the pref. ring!
Install second lock ring to 100 ftlbs.
********Newer style 1-piece ratchet lock ring. Line up tab and groove, tighten to 70 ftlbs, back off 45 degrees. retighten to 20 ftlbs.
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 26
From: Connecticut
Removing the berings is easy, removing the races is alittle more work, use a long seel drift (not a pointed punch) Lugs up to get the inner race, (2 2-x-4's under the rotor)
Lugs down to pound out the outer race.
Once out, pound in the new races with hammer and drift.
Lugs down to pound out the outer race.
Once out, pound in the new races with hammer and drift.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski