So I am tearing down my front hub assembly to figure out what the noise is... Well I'm pretty sure i found it. I pulled the hub assembly off and it was dry as a desert. I had to beat it back and forth just to get it out! I also noticed that everything was dry, no grease in the hub assembly or the wheel bearing assembly.

Common sense would tell me this is really bad, but i'm not sure, is there suppose to be grease everywhere? Also a friend told me that i need to keep a close eye on a small bearing in the hub, if it goes bad my axle shaft can be toast and it's expensive... any insight on this? I don't have pictures but I can grab some? I think i'll be heading to the parts store depending on what you guys recommend. Thanks!

 

I don't think this is going to be a cheap discovery either >_< Does anyone have a diagram to the wheel hub assembly?

 

Mine was dry as well on one side. I just disassembled mine and greased every bearing in the wheel hub assembly and the auto locking hub. The most important is the needle bearing that rides on the axle shaft. There is also one inside the wheel hub assembly but it cannot be removed. The easiest way to get grease to that one is to remove the ABS sensor and push grease through the hole. I had a little tool with a zerk fitting on the end made so I could use a grease gun. Some people have just used a funnel and a piece of tubing to force some down into the cavity. Last but not least, there is a bearing in the auto lock assembly. My wheel bearing assembly doesn't have any play and it's not howling at me yet so I believe I caught it in time before major damage was done. I'd check your for any play. If you have some, it's due for a new wheel hub assembly.

Also, while you have it apart, replace the orings (the yellow on on the wheel hub assembly, and the one on the auto lock assembly). This will help with keeping out any moisture. One other thing, make sure you put a light coat of grease on all the splines. Be careful to not put gobs of grease on it. It's not necessary to do so.

Well I think that about covers it. Here's a few links for helpful instructions with photos:

Needle bearing lube:
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page

Auto Lock Assembly:
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page

 

My needle bearing is shot. The auto parts stores can't seem to find the correct one. Any idea or is this a ford part only?

 

Not sure. I know you can get it from ed (www.partsguyed.com)

This is from guzzles diy: "If your needle bearing looks worn, you should replace it with a new bearing (Ford-C6TZ-3123A NAPA-B2110)"

So if you can, try napa, otherwise contact ed or you're dealer

 

I found the b2110 is for the inside, i'm looking for the bearing that is in the autolocking hub. I'm starting to think i'll just have to buy a new hub, superwinch or warn is the decisions

 

Oh I gotcha. I'm not sure on that one. Ed might be the guy to talk to. Maybe someone else on here that's replaced the same one might chime in soon.

You might want to also check this place out. I think all you need is some measurements.
McMaster-Carr

 

nope, have to buy the hub assy to get that bearing, the needle brg is " not avail" but this is BS C6TZ3123A works just fine.

 

So I suppose I should just upgrade the hubs then... any one have a preference? Milemarker, superwinch, warn (standard vs premium?)? Thanks for the PN ed and answering my question!

 

http://www.frontiernet.net/~jmray/F250NeedleBearings.htm

Go there and check out that write-up. Go to the main page and check out the other hub write-ups, including the lockout service write-up.

IMHO, if you replace the large front hub assembly and you don't have ABS up front, I'd buy ABS equipped front hubs so you can grease them through the ABS sensor hole. If you have ABS up front, definitely go with the ABS hubs.

 

Ok, new issue. Now I noticed that the noise has gotten worse. I went and found excessive play in my front axle shaft. (grabbed the u joint and and move the shaft up and down, it's not the u-join). Does this mean the wheel bearing assembly (hub assembly) is shot? Or is it just the lockout hub assembly?

 

NAPA has the needle bearings.

 

Do you notice any play by pulling back and forth with the wheel/tire attached? This would be a sign of a failed wheel bearing assembly. Also, with the wheel off the ground, do you hear or fell any growling noises coming from the wheel bearing assembly as you rotate it by hand?

 

My hubs are bad,it sounds like a bad brake pad/rotor scrubbing,but only sometimes.I'm replacing the whole hub assembly.

 

On my 2000 F250 one hub assembly went out and there was enough play in it that the rotor would rub against the caliper bracket. It also sounded like worn break pads which I'm glad since it allowed me to catch it early on.
As far as locking hubs, I went with Milemarker and have been pleased with them. I put the plastic Warn's on my '85 Ramcharger and have not had any problems but I never liked the fact that they were plastic.