Hi to all- new to the group and hoping someone out there can help!

I have a '01 SuperDuty 4x4 (diesel) and am in the process of replacing the front left hub. When I pulled the hub, I did notice that it was well on it's way out, so I will be going over to the dealer to throw down a few $$$ on a new hub/bearing assembly.

My question is: When I pulled the hub out of the knuckle, I noticed that the spindle had quote a bit of play in the knuckle. There is a gap of ~1/16" between the inner knuckle seal (or main seal is what the book says) and the face of the spindle that ultimately contacts the backside of the hub when the hub is installed. I bet that there should be some clearance, but I am wondering if this is too much? Should there be any play in the spindle with respect to the knuckle at all?

I am wondering if this is normal, or if the seal has shifted due to the wear in the wheel bearing?

I have noticed that the seal drivers available online all have stops on them, so there must be some defined depth to drive the seal. Does anyone out there know what this depth should be? Again this is the spindle/knuckle seal that on the hub side of the knuckle.

My apologies if the terminology is not correct. I plan to get the truck
back together ASAP (I need it on Saturday), but wanted to make sure I am not going to create more issues before going forward.

Thanks
Paul

 

BTW- I just checked the depth of the seal in the counterbore of the knuckle and it measures between 1.20 to 1.30 from the front face of the knuckle to the metal lip of the seal, depending on where I measure it, so it's definitely not in there straight anymore. This is probably the problem....

In any case do any of you have the correct depth for the seal so that I can drive it in to the correct depth? I can turn a piece of aluminum or steel down to the correct size in the morning. I realize that there is a special tool that makes life real easy, but unfortunately, I don't have the time to order one in.

In any case, thanks in advance for your help,
Paul

 

If you check the tech folder in this section you will find that tool and instructions on how to make one-it's under the ball joint thread.Hope this helps you out

 

thanks- I'll check it out

 

Thanks a ton for the advice- I checked out the thread and build a tool out of pipe pieces that fit great. I swapped out the bad hub in about 2 hours.

FYI: the Ford hub came with the ABS sensor, but didn't come with the external o-ring or the studs! $377 for the assembly, but I was fortunate that the studs were OK and I didn't have any issue with removing them from the old hub and installing them in the new hub.

Lucky though- I probably didn't have more than a hundred miles or so left before the thing came apart.

Thanks again to the forum for some great tips.
Paul

 

You're welcome
Glad to see you got it done

 

Remember, you should pull the hubs every 15,000 miles or so, clean them and apply a LIGHT coat of grease.

 

To answer your original question about the seal, when the hub assembly is removed, there will be a good bit of play in the axleshaft inside the hub. That being said, you probably still did the right thing because if your hub was failing, trash likely made its way into the spindle seal. Most of the hubs that are truly bad have also contaminated the seal so replacement as you did is always a good thing.

As was stated earlier, periodic greasing of the needle bearings is always a good thing.

 

I would do this sooner if you go through alot of mud and water while out playing. I pull mine every other oil change and apply a light coat of grease to them. I just don't have the money to replace these. A little grease save the wallet.