Wheel bearing front hub question

I don't see how. We do replace quite a few of these. Cheap aftermarket bearings are a pain and bite us all the time

Hub failure is common on these vehicles. I doubt towing it had anything to do with it.

jfkmk wrote:
Hub failure is common on these vehicles. I doubt towing it had anything to do with it.

I think its a Ford thing. I have a F-350 with manual hubs and the bearings both when at around 140,000. Seams Ford and their brighter ideas of using sealed non serviceable bearings. You have to replace the hub assy aprox $140 each

hotpepperkid wrote:

jfkmk wrote:
Hub failure is common on these vehicles. I doubt towing it had anything to do with it.

I think its a Ford thing. I have a F-350 with manual hubs and the bearings both when at around 140,000. Seams Ford and their brighter ideas of using sealed non serviceable bearings. You have to replace the hub assy aprox $140 each

Everybody uses them to some extent

I personally have no idea, but it might be possible. If the system is designed to drive the front wheels, and you're doing the opposite, i.e. having the front wheels drive the system, maybe forces are being applied that weren't necessarily allowed for. A 2-wheel drive vehicle with free-wheeling front wheels wouldn't be affected, but a 4-wheel drive may be affected differently.

Pretty far-fetched but thought I would throw it out there. Feel free to just throw it right back. :)

prstlk wrote:
My toad is a 03 Ranger 4x4 5sp. Its been great a tow rig and very dependable. I recenty replaced both front hub assemblys and wondered if the dragging the rig around by its nose effects front wheel bearing wear? It would seem that the steering wheel input would easier than the tow bar. Thoughts appreciated thanks in advance

I doubt that towing would affect this. The bearing design might be too light since the front end of the Ranger may weigh close to that of an F-150. Or have been inadequately lubed at the factory.

I had a 1994 Mazda B-4000 4x4 that lost a front bearing at about 18k miles (At that time they were manufactured on the same assembly line as the Ford Ranger). The clue was it occasionally squalled quite loudly when parking. The hubs hadn't ever been submerged in water, btw.

Since it was under warranty to 30k, my local Mazda dealer at the time took a look, but wanted to charge me megabucks for service, four bearings and two hubs. The service manager wouldn't accept my claim that it should be under warranty since the first wheel-pack service interval wasn't even required until 25k and I knew much older cars sometimes ran for 100k on factory grease. They get loose before they run dry and burn.

I was busy at work, so I had the work done at a local tire shop for half price by a mechanic I trusted. He noted that none of the bearings had ever been grease-packed at all, so the nearly dry bearings apparently made it 18k on the minimal petroleum based corrosion coating shipping film. All four bearings were now blue. One spindle was marred (race spun a bit), but serviceable. I should say that Mazda factory reps treated me ok in other instances, but the dealer was terrible and since gone out of business... thankfully.

Wes
...