Wheel Bearing Recommendation

[jcgrumman]

Sounds like I have at least one bad wheel bearing. I really don't have a mechanic I trust to determine which, if any, need replacing. I have 63K on the car. I am wondering if I should replace all four bearings or just the obviously bad ones.

Any recommendations on how to diagnose a bad bearing, what manufacturer to buy from, how much I should pay per wheel... I have a family member who was a mechanic for 10 years and he says that he can do the work. Is this a fairly straightforward fix?
Thanks,
James

 

[SHOdded]

Front or rear? Does the noise get louder with speed? Is it more prominent turning to the left or turning to the right? That would likely be a wheel bearing.

These days, the bearing & hub are replaced as an assembly. It is recommended to use the Timken hub/bearing rather than Ford/Motorcraft ones (unless you have warranty). Don't know if it is a DIY job, but I'd assume if you have mechanical skills, it should be. Better than having to press bearings into hubs

 

[jcgrumman]

Can't tell if it is front or back but it gets louder with speed. Thanks for the Timken recommendation, that is the way I am going to go.

 

[jcgrumman]

Went to the dealer today and it was determined that both front bearings need replacement. They want $350 per wheel. I already have two Timkken bearings so I plan on doing it with a mechanic/friend. I would be interested if anybody knows what size the axle nut is and whether it is reusable.
James

 

[jcgrumman]

I ended up replacing three wheel bearings before finding the real bad one (passenger rear). I think there is a chance that the bearing wasn't installed properly at the factory. Three of the bolts were hard to break but the fourth was loose. Seems like the bearing was moving around in its seat and created a lot of room for corrosion to form. I spent hours beating the bearing before it came out. Car is quiet once again.
James

 

[SHOdded]

Probably a good thing to check when you pull the rotors off. Good luck with the new hubs

 

[Torsen]

What were the symptoms of a bad wheel hub? I have a clicking on the right side of the car when turning right, but only at slow (parking lot) speeds. The frequency of the tick corresponds to the speed of the car. I thought it was this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnbCig-wR1Q

But now I am not so sure.

 

[SHOdded]

Most likely you will need a washer, but if the clicking continues, you will need new hubs also.

http://ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,3574

 

[Torsen]

Most likely you will need a washer, but if the clicking continues, you will need new hubs also.

http://ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,3574

Thanks SHOdded. I hate to pull it apart twice. I also hate to replace a hub when it's not necessary. Am I correct in assuming that the front and rear hubs on the 2010+ SHO are all the same?

 

[SHOdded]

That I am not sure of, but I will look into it. Best bet is to talk to someone at a Ford dealership like Benny at Levittown Ford SuperCenter, or Tasca Ford. Benny can definitely get you the info.

Levittown Ford Super Center 980 So. Broadway Hicksville, NY 11801
1-877-460-9497

 

[Torsen]

Thanks!

 

[jcgrumman]

My failed wheel bearing noise was the classic droning noise that started around 30mph and would get louder with speed. No clicking or grinding noise of any kind.
James