OK, I've read the post etc..
The needle bearings are replaceable, gut, is a "special" tool required ?
Also, when I'm in there shouldn't I replace the dust cover, and press on a new seal ?
Do the flat groved spacers ever go bad ? ( or whatever they are called )
Thanks......

 

I've been doing a lot of searches on 'needle bearings' lately and the only thing I can remotely help with is the removal of the bearing and it's not much....
I read one post that after the individual rollers were pryed out, the fella was able to use a screwdriver and collapse one side of the bearing sleeve inward and then it just slid out.

Sorry that I can't answer more.

 

The bearing can be tapped out of the bearing from the rear after it's out. Replace the big yellow o-ring every time you remove the bearing, it's cheap like the bearing. Use the old bearing to tap in the new one so you don't damage the new one, the race is thin on it. Below is the procedure out of my service manual.







Hub Removal

All Vehicles
1. Remove the front brake disc. For additional information, refer to «Section 206-03».

µ 2. Remove the hub lock.

1 Remove the retainer ring.

2 Pull outward and remove the hub lock.

µ 3. Remove the axle shaft thrust washers.

1 Remove the snap ring.

2 Remove the three thrust washers.

Vehicles equipped with ABS
µ 4. CAUTION:
Do not remove the ABS sensor from the bearing.

Disconnect the ABS wheel sensor harness.

1 Disconnect the connector.

2 Disconnect the harness routing clips.

All vehicles
µ 5. Note:
The wheel hub and bearing is a slip fit design and should not require a puller to remove it.

Remove the wheel hub and bearing.

1 Remove the four lock nuts.

2 Remove the wheel hub and bearing.

µ 6. Remove the brake disc shield.

Vehicles with ABS
µ 7. Remove the bolt and the ABS sensor.

All vehicles
µ 8. Note:
Position the hub in a soft-jawed vise.

Install two nuts on the studs and use the inner nut to remove the studs.

µ 9. Remove and discard the O-ring.


Installation

All vehicles
µ 1. Note:
Any time the wheel hub is removed for any reason, a new O-ring seal must be installed. Failure to do so can cause a vacuum leak and loss of four wheel drive operations.

Install a new O-ring.

µ 2. Note:
Position the hub in a soft-jawed vise.

Install two nuts on the studs and use the outer nut to install the studs.

Vehicles equipped with ABS
µ 3. Position the ABS sensor and install the bolt.

All vehicles
µ 4. Position the brake disc shield.

µ 5. Note:
Apply a coat of Ford High Temperature 4x4 Front Axle and Wheel Bearing Grease E8TZ-19590-A meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C198-A to the O-ring area of the wheel hub and bearing before installing the hub and bearing.

Install the wheel hub and bearing.

1 Position the wheel hub and bearing.

2 Install the four lock nuts.

Vehicle equipped with ABS
µ 6. Note:
The following step applies only to vehicles equipped with ABS.

Connect the ABS sensor harness.

1 Position the ABS sensor harness and install the routing clips.

2 Connect the harness connector.

All vehicles
µ 7. CAUTION:
The non-metallic thrust washer must be installed between the two metal thrust washers. Failure to do so will cause severe wear to the non-metallic thrust washer, allowing the axle shaft to travel further in and out during torque thrust causing damage to the wheel hub and bearing, the axle shaft end seal and the axle shaft.

Install the snap ring.

1 Position the three thrust washers onto the axle shaft.

2 Install the snap ring.

8. Note:
Any time the hub lock is removed, a new O-ring seal must be installed. Failure to do so can cause a vacuum leak and loss of four wheel drive functions.

Install a new O-ring.

µ 9. Install the hub lock.

1 Position the hub lock.

2 Install the retainer ring.

10. Install the brake disc. For additional information, refer to «Section 206-03».

 

I threw the needle bearing assembly in the freezer for about an hour and then it dropped right in. The cold will shrink it up a couple of thousands and make it small enough to just drop in so that you won't have to hammer it in. This little trick works on pressed in races for bearings also.