front bearing issue
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
front bearing issue
I'm stumped. Here is a description of my truck. 01 F-250,7.3,4X4,CC,4" lift,35" pro comp xtreme.
I got tired of replacing my factory hub unit . So I decieded to switch to the dynatrac unit , so I could stop spending $300 bucks a pop (went through 3 sets of factorys in a 1.5 years ) . Now it seems everytime I tow my trailer ( loaded 7,000 lbs ) I have to repack my bearings. This is starting to be aggrevating . I dont think this should be happining. I use to use regular wheel bearing grease,but this last time I switched to synthetic wheel bearing grease to see if would hold up better.
Is this regular??? Any help in this matter would be very helpfull !! If you need more info just let me know , and I will do my best to give it to you.
Just to give you my driving habits . I dont race around corners, and I dont brake hard. And I do have a trailer brake on my truck.
I got tired of replacing my factory hub unit . So I decieded to switch to the dynatrac unit , so I could stop spending $300 bucks a pop (went through 3 sets of factorys in a 1.5 years ) . Now it seems everytime I tow my trailer ( loaded 7,000 lbs ) I have to repack my bearings. This is starting to be aggrevating . I dont think this should be happining. I use to use regular wheel bearing grease,but this last time I switched to synthetic wheel bearing grease to see if would hold up better.
Is this regular??? Any help in this matter would be very helpfull !! If you need more info just let me know , and I will do my best to give it to you.
Just to give you my driving habits . I dont race around corners, and I dont brake hard. And I do have a trailer brake on my truck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 39
How do you set the bearings when you repack? Do you put a slight preload on them, or do you allow a slight endplay? I used to subscribe to the theory that you should put a slight preload on the bearings, but the last time I went to Timken's site, they were recommending a very slight amount of end play, just a couple thousandths.
Another thing, with bigger tires, your brakes will get hotter for a given braking effort than they would with smaller tires, I'm sure you know that. I have been told by a mechanic that I trust that Superduty brakes are less than they should be, but I don't have any way of confirming that very general statement. I'm sure we'll get some opinions here.
I think going to synthetic grease was a good idea. Have you had to repack since doing that?
Another thing, with bigger tires, your brakes will get hotter for a given braking effort than they would with smaller tires, I'm sure you know that. I have been told by a mechanic that I trust that Superduty brakes are less than they should be, but I don't have any way of confirming that very general statement. I'm sure we'll get some opinions here.
I think going to synthetic grease was a good idea. Have you had to repack since doing that?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
When I pack my bearings. I would tightn till the spanner socket would slip off ( 25-30 lbs ). Spin the tires a few times ,and tightn alittle more.I just repacked 2 weeks ago using the synthetic grease.
As for my brakes I do have the power slot rotors . Which reduce the heat and gas build up when braking. There is no visible heat marks showing high heat from braking on pads or rotors. I dont feel any pulling to the left or right when braking.
As for my brakes I do have the power slot rotors . Which reduce the heat and gas build up when braking. There is no visible heat marks showing high heat from braking on pads or rotors. I dont feel any pulling to the left or right when braking.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
My original bearing lasted @100000 miles the replacement lasted @120000 miles I don't know why you are going through so many bearings. I even had 315 75 16 tires on it for the second set of bearings.
Are you losing greese out of your new set up.
Are you losing greese out of your new set up.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 39
Originally Posted by pete98cobra
When I pack my bearings. I would tightn till the spanner socket would slip off ( 25-30 lbs ). Spin the tires a few times ,and tightn alittle more.I just repacked 2 weeks ago using the synthetic grease.
As for my brakes I do have the power slot rotors . Which reduce the heat and gas build up when braking. There is no visible heat marks showing high heat from braking on pads or rotors. I dont feel any pulling to the left or right when braking.
As for my brakes I do have the power slot rotors . Which reduce the heat and gas build up when braking. There is no visible heat marks showing high heat from braking on pads or rotors. I dont feel any pulling to the left or right when braking.
After consulting Timken's site, I changed my ways. They say there needs to be a very slight end play. I think the procedure was to torque it to a certain value, and then back it off a set number of fractional turns, based on the thread pitch of the spindle. By using this method, you can set the end play in thousandths to whatever the specification was, without actually having to measure it.
I would recommend consulting Timken's site, and/or some other bearing manufacturers.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
From: Wickenburg, AZ
I think you're pulling those bearings down too tight. Do they give you a specification? I was always taught to get it close to snug, spin the wheel, cycle it snug and back a few times with the wheel spinning, and then finish it off by adding a little more tension (basically until the castle nut or lock pins lined up). That's my best crack at describing the "feel", anyway. Like I said, though, some bearing types have specs and procedures that have to be followed.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
From: USA
I'am woundering what kind of wheels and tires you got?
The wrong wheels with to much offset and back spacing will put extra stain on the wheel bearings.
I have a 2000 with 38 inch Ground Hawgs and 93,000 miles and have only gone through one hub assembly.
Just a thought.
The wrong wheels with to much offset and back spacing will put extra stain on the wheel bearings.
I have a 2000 with 38 inch Ground Hawgs and 93,000 miles and have only gone through one hub assembly.
Just a thought.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
rudedogii...... Im not sure of what rims are on my truck except that they are aluminum. I bought the truck from the dealership that had modified it ,and they did a couple hundred trucks the same way.16"X10" aluminum with 315/75r16 BFG.
My first factory hubs lasted to 60+ thousand miles.2nd set lasted about 9000 miles.Then I found out that they would warrenty the hubs . So they put the 3rd set on. I then replaced 1 side .
I was reading on the FTE form ,and came across somebody doing the Dynatrac install ,and the ease of servicing the bearings.Figured I would give it a try.
Now when i repack my bearings I compare them to a new set ,and fing the play between the 2 identical.I look for wear marks and heat marks.I also clean and check the races. I have an extra set just incase i need them.
Tomorrow I will look up the specifications on timkins site to see what they say.
I am also wondering if the free play in my steering box is hurting me.With the slight wandering.
Thank you all for your input ! If you can think of anything else let me know.
P.S. has anybody tried the stage 8 locking set for the dana 60 ?
My first factory hubs lasted to 60+ thousand miles.2nd set lasted about 9000 miles.Then I found out that they would warrenty the hubs . So they put the 3rd set on. I then replaced 1 side .
I was reading on the FTE form ,and came across somebody doing the Dynatrac install ,and the ease of servicing the bearings.Figured I would give it a try.
Now when i repack my bearings I compare them to a new set ,and fing the play between the 2 identical.I look for wear marks and heat marks.I also clean and check the races. I have an extra set just incase i need them.
Tomorrow I will look up the specifications on timkins site to see what they say.
I am also wondering if the free play in my steering box is hurting me.With the slight wandering.
Thank you all for your input ! If you can think of anything else let me know.
P.S. has anybody tried the stage 8 locking set for the dana 60 ?
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