Repcking wheel bearings
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Vermilion Ohio
Done it a 100 times. just have a manual handy for the correct way to tighten them, you will need the socket for the spindle nut and a torque wrench too. Have lots of brake cleaner or a parts washer don't use compressed air to dry them! surgical gloves are nice to have to save your hands and YOU MUST KEEP ALL DIRT OUT, use new rags and lots of them! Buy new wheel bearing seals as you can't get the rear bearing out without removing the seal which will destroy it. make sure everthing is spotlessly clean before re greasing. make sure you get the lock ring right but the manual will go over all that. It is not hard at all just very messy!
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
What year truck you asking about?
2wd or 4 wd?
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,378
Likes: 3
From: nebraska
I have a 96 an a 2003 F 250 4wd to do some front end maintenance. Sorry should have clarified.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
Why not clean bearings with compressed air? Soon as they are washed, compressed air will do nothing bad to them.
The super duties have bearing packs, which are a whole unit you have to replace. Expensive. They make a replacement kit. (i know nothign about it)
For the 96, you can pull bearings and repack.
If you set them right, you shoudln't have to worry bout it to much.
The super duties have bearing packs, which are a whole unit you have to replace. Expensive. They make a replacement kit. (i know nothign about it)
For the 96, you can pull bearings and repack.
If you set them right, you shoudln't have to worry bout it to much.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Vermilion Ohio
I was always told never blow them dry as in holding them on the inside and blowing them so they will spin. Something to do with them spinning with no lube on them can score them.....I don't know just the way I learned it when I was a kid. I do blow them dry just never let them spin.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Vermilion Ohio
Ok, the newer trucks (newer then 1997) that are four wheel drive (don't know about the 2 wheel drives) have what they call unit bearings where you unbolt the whole asembly and replace it. They last a very long time normally and are VERY expensive to replace, they are not servicable, no greasing just replace them. Our 97 and older trucks still have the tried and true
greasable wheel bearings that are messy to repack and do need to be I beleive they say every 30,000 miles
. Its not a bad job and is cheap compared to the Unit bearings even if you have to replace them.
greasable wheel bearings that are messy to repack and do need to be I beleive they say every 30,000 miles. Its not a bad job and is cheap compared to the Unit bearings even if you have to replace them.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Marietta, OH/Weirton, WV
I learned in school that if you hit a roller bearing with compressed air that they will actually spin up so fast that they will explode. Its written in bold letters in some of my books with CAUTION! written next to it. One of my buddies actually made a remote air rig up where he could be safe and sure enough them suckers will make a horrific noise then self destruct.
-----------Jeremy
-----------Jeremy
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
Damn, I have yet to have a bearing explode, or a mechanic tell me not to do it.
The metal is so hard, if you have cleaned them properly, they will not score.
And for it falling apart, it should be replaced if it is going to fall apart from being spun.
The metal is so hard, if you have cleaned them properly, they will not score.
And for it falling apart, it should be replaced if it is going to fall apart from being spun.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
The spindles are a PITA to get off the steering knuckle (rust). I remove all the studs, they can be hammered/pressed in when you are ready to assemble. Use a soft faced, no-bounce hammer. Don't hit the bearing/seal/threaded surfaces.
You will need a special hub nut wrench but can be rented for free at most auto parts stores. The hub nut torque is specified in the repair manual...follow it exactly as written.
Here is a link to an on-line repair manual:
1996 Bronco/F-Series Workshop Manual
If this your first time going 'in', then I would replace the drive axle u-joints, spindle needle bearing and seal. Be sure to clean out the axle tube before you install the drive axle or you will push dirt into the differential. Might as well look at the ball joints too if you've gone this far.
BTW: Cleaning them with compressed air is OK as long as you don't spin the bearings faster than you can count the rollers as they go by. Spinning them really fast might score the surfaces of the rollers/races.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
Yea, I know I was saying it like I do spin up the bearings, but I really don't.
Actually, depends on the bearing, and what it does. Anyways.
I rarely spin them, if i do, i hold my finger on it, like jim says, dont spin em to fast, its unnecessary. I just blow em out from the sides where you push he grease in.
Actually, depends on the bearing, and what it does. Anyways.
I rarely spin them, if i do, i hold my finger on it, like jim says, dont spin em to fast, its unnecessary. I just blow em out from the sides where you push he grease in.