Getting ready to replace the front hub/bearing assy on my 98 F150 4WD.
I have the new hub and grease seal - but just how important is it to also replace the dust seal ?
The seal I have looks like it pounds into the back of the hub and seals againt the surface of the axle shaft .
The dust seal is the one you can see under the truck between the CV joint and the hub .

Anyone have advice regarding the dust seal replacement ? Are both these seals always replaced with the hub ?

Thanks , JA

 

When I replaced the hub on my 97 F150 4x4 I didn't replace any seals. I did that about 10,000 miles ago and haven't had any problems with the hub.

 

Thanks Skilife, There are two seals behind the hub assembly, but maybe your hub had one of the seals already in it . I suspect the axle seal came with your hub.
Heck, even the Ford dealer mechanics didn't know what I was talking about .
The parts picture expansion shows the two seals.

 

My hub didn't come with a new axle. I had my uncle father-in-law put the new hub in. All he did was remove the rotor and brake caliper and unbolted the old hub and put the new one on and buttoned everything up. He said nothing about a new seal, he is a Master technician at a Mercury dealer.

 

I replaced a hub on my 97 4x4 and it came with seals installed.

 

After you mention that I think the seals were installed on mine too. I replaced my hub last April.

 

Just changed the front hub/bearing assy and there is definitely a seal behind the hub assy.
The seal is installed in the back of the steering knuckle and not on the hub/bearing assy. It acts as a combination grease seal and dust seal. It requires removal of the axle shaft to replace it and a special tool to pound it into place.
I did not replace it - mine looked good enough to run longer.
The hub/bearing assy was relatively simple to replace, the hardest part getting a socket on the three 15mm retainer bolts behind the knuckle. I pushed back the axle shaft and wedged a wrench in to hold it back while I loosened the three bolts. Then with a few light taps the hub assy came loose enough to slide it off.
Hope this helps someone else .
JA

 

Are there some pics posted somewhere of this??

Thanks

 

here is photos of replacing the ball joints. you have to take the hub and spindle off to get to the ball joint.. photo shows hub and spindle taken off as one piece, but steps up to that might help.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...f-150-4x4.html

 

YouTube - How to Install Hub Bearings - Hub Assemblies Video

 

Steve, thanks for the heads-up. That helps a lot. Need to replace the passenger side hub assemble while I'm at it.

 

How is your uncle your father-in-law? Or am I just reading that wrong?

 

Steve, Racerguy's article was Great! Once again, thanks for the link.

Is there a easy way to seperate the hub from the spindle/knuckle??

 

What determines when these need to be replaced? Is there a "noise" or a "feel" that I will get that is a tell-tale sign?

 

first you will hear a whinning noise that means the grease is gone... no noise, its still o.k.... Can last 40k ro 400k miles.... you never know.