Was replacing ball joints and noticed a bad bearing in the Hub Assembly. It's not the axle bearing, but the main bearing the hub rotates on. How do you change this bearing ? Looks like a spanner nut holds the assembly togehter. Any help would be appreciated. By the way, it's on a 02 excursion.

 

I guess you're talking about the needle bearings. If not, the main bearing is a unit-type bearing and must be pressed in. That's AFTER your wallet is pressed very thin since it costs so dang much.

If it is the needle bearing... http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/nblube.html

 

Yes it's the main bearing. I was afraid it was gonna cost a bundle. Do you know how to take it apart ?

 

No, I do not. Sorry.

 

According to Timkin, who makes them for Ford and all aftermarket suppliers, it is not servicable at all. You have to replace the entire hub assembly as a single unit.

The cheapest I have ever bought one was $249, but they usually go for a hundred more. Even more at a stealership.

If you are going to do the job yourself, don't try to replace the four studs that hold them onto the spindle. Ford makes the studs available separately, and you'll be a LOT better off just getting the studs too.

Sorry, but a few of have contemplated trying to get them apart and see what's involved in replacing the bearing, but Timkin is also the manufacturer of that bearing, and they aren't selling them...

There are a number of hub part numbers, depending on 2WD, 4WD, ABS configuration, etc, so be sure to get the right one.

Pop

 

just installed this one with new bolts from Ford, works fine

http://cgi.ebay.com/2000-2005-Ford-E...QQcmdZViewItem

 

WOW, nice price. I paid more, twice I think, but also neede the part ASAP. Flippen frozen caliper/slide pins. Hopefully with better maintenance it won't happen again.

 

Wow ,I feel like I just took a reaming at the dealer. I bought them there before I saw your post. Thanks for the reply, I think.

 

Maintenance will only help with the frozen caliper pins. The unit bearings are non serviceable units, and unfortunately the cage assembly is made of plastic like the dodges. I took a brand new one apart just to look at a good one. Usually I dont get a chance to look at one with little miles. (only 1200)
I just purchased the Dynatrac kit for my 07 SD, and this is my third kit, for my third vehicle. My Excursion wears a Dynatrac upgrade kit,(D60 donor axle from my 02 SD) and MY 02 SD wears a complete Pro-rock 60. The kit comes with servicable bearings, so they can be maintained, 35 spline outer shafts, and Warn premium hubs, (actually the newest kit comes with upgraded Dynatrac hubs that default to the locked position upon failure instead of unlocked position).
Some might argue that the kit is expensive, but considering the cost of OEM stuff, by the time you replace the entire front end, (know that if one side is bad, the other with the same miles is not far behind), the upgrade kit is almost equal money. Actually considering that now you can actually service the bearings, you are money ahead. Because Excursions have a D50, kits are availabe with just replacement bearing units for less money.
My opinion is strong on this topic, and I feel that this upgrade is the single best upgrade that can be done to these already awesome vehicles. It is too bad that the manufacturer designed these rigs this way, but glad to see an aftermarket company has such a great upgrade.

 

Bqqmer , I'm very interested in these Hubs . Are they china mfg'd ? I guess they must look OK to you . Pls give me your opinion after the install . How many miles on them now . What a deal if they last .

 

exposition, Yes their chinese BCA part number 515020 which is the same part number for Timken. Springerpop says Timken makes them all. Like I said just installed them so very little miles on them so far. I inspected the hub unit and found it extremely well made, good machining, studs already installed the only thing I did was smear a little extra grease into the roller bearings (for peace of mind)