Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Front

Wheel Bearing and Hub-F-250, F-350 and Excursion

Removal

1. NOTE: Super Duty F-25O, F-350 shown, Super Duty F-450, F-550 similar.

Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the front wheel and tire assemblies.
3. Remove the front disc brake caliper and rotor, and position the caliper out of the way.





4. Remove the hub cap from the hub assembly.





5. Remove the cotter pin, adjusting nut and flat washer.





6. NOTE: Inspect the condition of the spindle and nut threads to ensure a free turning nut when reassembling.

Remove the outer bearing cone and roller assembly, and pull the hub assembly from the spindle.





7. Using care not to damage the bearing cage, use a suitable slide hammer and bearing seal remover to remove the inner bearing cone and bearing seal.

Installation

1. CAUTION: Do not spin the bearing dry with compressed air.

NOTE: Remove all traces of lubricant from the bearings, hub and axle spindle. Inspect bearings and bearing cups for pitting, spalling or unusual wear. If either bearings or bearing cups are worn or damaged, replace both bearings and bearing cups.

NOTE: It is recommended that bearings and bearing cups be replaced in sets. If cups are worn or damaged, install the inner and outer bearing cups in the hub with an appropriate bearing cup driver tool. Check for proper seating of new bearing cups by trying to insert a 0.38 mm (0.0015 inch) feeler gauge between the bottom face of the cup and wheel hub seat. You should not be able to insert the feeler gauge.

Remove all burrs, nicks or scratches from the shoulder of the spindle and seal bore in the hub with emery cloth.





2. Pack the inside of the hub with lithium-base wheel bearing grease such as Motorcraft Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or -K or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B. Fill the hub until the grease is flush with the inside diameters of both bearing cups.
3. Pack the bearing cone and roller assemblies with wheel bearing grease. Use a bearing packer for this operation. If a packer is not available, work as much lubricant as possible between the rollers and cages.





4. CAUTION: Keep the hub centered on the spindle to prevent damage to the grease seal or spindle threads.

Place the inner bearing cone and roller assembly in the inner cup and install the wheel bearing hub seal, using a suitable seal replacer. Make sure seal is fully seated and lubricated.





5. Install the hub assembly.





6. Install the outer bearing cone and roller assembly and the flat washer on the spindle and install the adjusting nut. Install a new cotter pin.





7. Install the hub cap.
8. Install the front disc brake caliper and rotor.
9. Install the front wheel and tire assemblies.
10. Lower the vehicle.