Front wheel bearings
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Junior User
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Front wheel bearings
Hi crew, my F-250 2WD needs new front wheel bearings. It's a 1989 model "light" F-250, its GVW is 6600 lbs. Napa has the bearings in stock and they only have one listing for this year, I wondered if the bearings were the same for my truck and also the heavier 3/4 tons? Don't want to make too many trips to Napa! Can anyone verify that the bearings are the same for both the "light" and heavier duty 3/4 ton trucks?
Any special tips I need to do this repair myself?
Thanks,
Jim
Any special tips I need to do this repair myself?
Thanks,
Jim
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
If you're replacing them because there's a little slop in them, you can get by with tightening up the locknut. That will take any slop out of the bearings, just don't overtighten the nut or you'll burn them up.
No special tools required, and I'm 99% sure they are the same bearing.
No special tools required, and I'm 99% sure they are the same bearing.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,525
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Just double check with the other parts places like advanceautoparts.com & oreillyauto.com......I believe that the engine type decided the GVW from 87-90, so the electronic catalog would ask for the engine type rather then the GVW....diesel and 460 would be a heavy 3/4. The rotors and axles are different for a heavy 3/4..so the bearings should follow as well.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 372
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From: Central Minnesota
The light duty 250 uses the 300 6 or the 302 and has lighter duty front and rear axles as well as transmission, brakes etc. I know the brakes are quite a bit narrower in the rear for example. It just follows that the bearings would be different
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
The engine type didn't "dictate" what the GVWR would be. Some engines were available in both models, some engines were only available in one or the other.
The 302 was LD only, the 300 and 351 could be found in either, and the 460 and diesel were HD only.
The rotors are not different, so I don't see why the bearings would be any different. There is a difference between the Dana 44HD and Dana 50 front axle obviously, but his is two wheel drive, so that's irrelevant.
And the only difference in the rear axles is the LD has a semi-floating axleshaft, and the HD has a full-floating one. Other than that (and the shoe width), they are identical. The front axles are also identical.
The 302 was LD only, the 300 and 351 could be found in either, and the 460 and diesel were HD only.
The rotors are not different, so I don't see why the bearings would be any different. There is a difference between the Dana 44HD and Dana 50 front axle obviously, but his is two wheel drive, so that's irrelevant.
And the only difference in the rear axles is the LD has a semi-floating axleshaft, and the HD has a full-floating one. Other than that (and the shoe width), they are identical. The front axles are also identical.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: New Jersey
There are only one set of bearings for the 2wd F250 LD of that year, regardless of engine or options.
The spindles on the F350's and F250 HD's of that year have a slightly larger diameter snout, so you have to use the correct bearings for your application.
If you want something stronger, you'll have to change the spindles as well.
The spindles on the F350's and F250 HD's of that year have a slightly larger diameter snout, so you have to use the correct bearings for your application.
If you want something stronger, you'll have to change the spindles as well.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
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Thanks guys for all the help! Last night, due to time constraints, I tightened up the spindle nut a little, backed off; seemed to take up the play that was evident
before. I did buy all the parts (bearings, seals, etc.) from Napa, so when I get a chance (soon) I will replace all that stuff.
BTW, the truck has 2 tanks, and the front tank fuel line has a leak about under the front of the bed; are those lines replaceable in sections, or have to replace the whole run from the tank to the motor or wherever it goes?
When you flip the switch to the front tank, gas sprays all over the frame rail, not good.
Thanks again,
Jim
before. I did buy all the parts (bearings, seals, etc.) from Napa, so when I get a chance (soon) I will replace all that stuff.
BTW, the truck has 2 tanks, and the front tank fuel line has a leak about under the front of the bed; are those lines replaceable in sections, or have to replace the whole run from the tank to the motor or wherever it goes?
When you flip the switch to the front tank, gas sprays all over the frame rail, not good.
Thanks again,
Jim