Wheel Bearing?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2007
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Wheel Bearing?
I have a fairly loud humming or drone coming from the front end which is more pronounced at certain speeds. The pitch of the noise also changes when I turn of the wheel. I think its the wheel bearings. Can someone give me some feedback on how to change them out. It is a 1989 F150 4x4 with auto hubs. I've never done wheel bearings on a 4X4 so the more detailed the better. Thanks....
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
I would try and narrow it down before diagnosing the problem as wheel bearings. Frankly, it sounds like you're just guessing.
But if you want to grease the bearings, use this article as a guide:
http://ford.off-road.com/ford/articl....jsp?id=198389
You can stop when you have the rotor off.
But if you want to grease the bearings, use this article as a guide:
http://ford.off-road.com/ford/articl....jsp?id=198389
You can stop when you have the rotor off.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
Have you rotated the tires lately? Is one of the tires a little low on air? Tires can make some strange noises when they are low on air. As for the wheel bearings, you should be able to notice if they are getting loose by jacking the front end up and seeing if the wheels are loose. You should be able to move the wheel by hand if the bearings are loose. Ball joints usually need a pry bar to determine if they are loose. You might need a buddy to look under the truck while you move the wheel to see where the movement is coming from, if you have any movement at all. Hopefully, everything is tight and you won't have to replace the bearings.
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Freshman User
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update
Well I finally got around to changing out the wheel bearings and I went ahead and converted to manual hubs while I was at it. After a little bit of figuring things out, it all came apart and the reinstall was a piece of cake. The best thing was it fixed the noise I had coming from the frontend so that was good. I would like to thank all on this site who gave me some words of wisdom and a link or two for picture reference. I will definatley be on here again asking how to's from the experts....
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: calgary alberta
why is it you switched to manual hubs? personally i dislike my warn hubs, i know i have been told they work better, but is there a significant difference? i just get annoyed when i have to get out to lock/unlock them...
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
You'd be more annoyed when the auto hubs fail and get you stuck, as they have have done to many Ford truck owners over the years.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
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From: Sand Lake, MI
<i>I had to be towed to the summit. Tow cost = $250 and tire chains at the summit = $120. Definitely not worth the 'convenience' of having the auto hubs.</i>
Sounds like it been much cheaper to just go back down the hill!
Sounds like it been much cheaper to just go back down the hill!
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Originally Posted by danr1
I had to be towed to the summit. Tow cost = $250 and tire chains at the summit = $120. Definitely not worth the 'convenience' of having the auto hubs.
Sounds like it been much cheaper to just go back down the hill!
Sounds like it been much cheaper to just go back down the hill!
The snowboarding ALMOST made it worth it
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
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From: Sand Lake, MI
Originally Posted by Skandocious
I would have had to be towed to the next exit anyways (not much closer than the summit), then towed BACK DOWN throw the snowstorm. I'd imagine that I wouldn't have saved very much money PLUS I wouldn't have gotten to go snowboarding that weekend
The snowboarding ALMOST made it worth it
The snowboarding ALMOST made it worth it
I have heard and read they’re not very tough either, all though I never broke one myself yet.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: calgary alberta
ahhh, my dad always told me that the manuals were easier to work on than the auto's but i don't like having to walk around the truck when it's -25... is it something that you can see coming when your doing your routine maintence on your hubs?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 64
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From: Summersville, WV
I initially switched to manual hubs because of the price. The cost for two manual hubs was less than the cost to replace one auto hub. Since replacing I have not had problems with the manual hubs. My wife dosn't like them, but she rarely drives my truck.