I was wondering anyone tried to service the front wheel hub main bearings? I know that they have a special nut in the back of the hub for the bearings, but was told that they are not replaceable. I just recently replaced my right front one, and wanted to have a backup spare for future problems. It wasn't hard at all to R&R the hub. Just finding the right place that were selling them for a decent price. I got one new from a ebay store for $160.00 shipped for my Excursion 7.3L. I compared it to the old one and everything is the same except for the ruined main bearings.

 

This subject comes up from time-to-time, and as far as I can remember, no one has successfully rebuilt one of these. Yet.

Anybody else remember any details of what's been done so far?

Pop

 

Well, I will be giving it a try and see what happens. I have a friend that works on wheel bearings and he is willing to give it a shot. If it works I will let you all know.

 

When I did mine I noticed part numbers on the bearings. That tells me it can be done. Me and my Dad tried to get the nut off but it had thresd lock, didn't have time to try heat. If I try again my plan is to make a socket.

 

this sounds likw some of the semi's i work on with unitized wheel bearing and as far as i can tell it can't be done and the company i work for is stuck with paying for a 1300 steer axle hub a guy that pulls loads out of our yard tired to take one apart and wasn't able to save too much getting it apart

 

theres a company that sells a kit that converts the axle to have your standred wheel bearings, hubs, and warn 1/4 turns and spindles for 1700

 

Are you thinking of Dynatrak? Their price is much higher Than that, but comes with a few more add ons

 

I have a 2002, F-250, 7.3 PSD and I had the front driver's side fail and I suspect it was due to water getting to the bearings - I had driven into a flooded area to axle depth prior to its failure.
So I replaced both hubs and kept the passenger side hub for a spare.
I pulled the failed unit apart out of curiosity and found the bearings to be tapered, but their races were machined into the hub assembly. This implies you could possibly replace the bearings, but not the races, so rebuilding the hub is not an option. It would appear to me Ford could have machined the hub to accept a matching race for the bearing and wala you have a repairable hub assembly.
NOTE: That large nut on the back side was extremely difficult to remove - had to heat it, etc. That nut I think is also the point where the bearing preload is made. I have kept the hub assembly that I took apart for future discussion - interesting, though.

NOTE 2: I also figured a way to lube these hub ***'ys. A new hub ***'y has a certain rotation stiffness to it due to the grease inside - this is my "reference point". I remove the brakes and the ABS sensor plug; then insert an adapter of sorts attached to my grease gun, pump a couple shots of grease, rotate the bearings, pump another shot or two of grease until the rotation stiffness is the same as the new hub ***'y. I have done this approx. once a year and have not noticed any ill effects from this procedure.

Hope this is helpful.

 

you could be right, i don't remeber the company name i just remeber reading about it in petersen's 4wheel & offroad and i can't find the magazine at this point in time