2003 Front Wheel Hubs
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
2003 Front Wheel Hubs
Has anyone replaced their Hub assembly on their Super Duties? I have a 4X$ and the parts store is telling me that the (sealed) bearings are not avalible and I would have to but the entire hub assembly for $365.00 each.
I am just having a hard time believing that you can't find replacement bearings.
BTW these sealed bearing idea SUCKS! I wish they would go back to the good old you grease type.
I am just having a hard time believing that you can't find replacement bearings.
BTW these sealed bearing idea SUCKS! I wish they would go back to the good old you grease type.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Why is it that you need to replace the bearings? Can you hear them? Sealed bearing are great...until you have to replace them. The idea certainly is a sound one but in practice it seems they leave a bit to be desired.
There ARE serviceable bearings in your front axle. They should be lubed ever 60K. Here's a fantastic tuturial.
http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/nblube.html
There ARE serviceable bearings in your front axle. They should be lubed ever 60K. Here's a fantastic tuturial.
http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/nblube.html
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
Those needle bearings, and the main hub bearings are two different things. I personally would not service the needle bearings, i would replace them. Heak I would not even re-install that whole unit bearing again. The main bearing cage is made of plastic. I have one that we took apart here on my desk (dodge has a pile too). Bigger tires, and plenty of off-road use usually means that these don't last very long. The best solution is elimination of the "unit bearing" all together. The Dynatrac kit is a simple solution. Some might argue that it is too expensive, but in the long run, it eliminates all of the problems associtaed with the poor performing front ends, and allows true serviceability, and long life of the front components. Not to mention 35 spline outers, and locking hubs that work every time. No more vacuum troubles.
Just my $.02
Just my $.02
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,174
Likes: 1
From: Millersburg, OR
Yes they do suck.... sometime I will get a dynatrac kit... but I will try to take the lifetime warranty NAPA ones back first... The cheapest place to buy them is the www.powerstrokeshop.com Alot cheaper than NAPA. Plus the kit comes with the four mounting studs too... Which can be a complete PITA to change out.
good luck,
Steven
good luck,
Steven
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
[QUOTE=Monsta]Why is it that you need to replace the bearings? Can you hear them? Sealed bearing are great...until you have to replace them. The idea certainly is a sound one but in practice it seems they leave a bit to be desired.
There ARE serviceable bearings in your front axle. They should be lubed ever 60K. Here's a fantastic tuturial.
http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/nblube.html[/QUOTE]
I want to say thank you so very much for your response and document. It helped a lot. It has a lot more detail than the Service Information CD that I got from Ford.
BTW I have 130K on my 2003 and the needle bearings and hub assembly had lots of grease. Re-serviced them. I found a seized floater rod on my rt front brake assembly. Also the axle tube seals were also bad. Ford thinks a lot of them as the were $20 each.
Thanks again for your help!
Tom
There ARE serviceable bearings in your front axle. They should be lubed ever 60K. Here's a fantastic tuturial.
http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/nblube.html[/QUOTE]
I want to say thank you so very much for your response and document. It helped a lot. It has a lot more detail than the Service Information CD that I got from Ford.
BTW I have 130K on my 2003 and the needle bearings and hub assembly had lots of grease. Re-serviced them. I found a seized floater rod on my rt front brake assembly. Also the axle tube seals were also bad. Ford thinks a lot of them as the were $20 each.
Thanks again for your help!
Tom
