Wheel Bearing Adjustment - F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Ford Pickup, 2005 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2005 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2005 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
Wheel seals on the front axles must be replaced any time the axle lubricants are changed from factory-installed mineral lube to synthetic lube or vice versa.
CAUTION:
If bearings are adjusted too tightly, they will overheat and wear rapidly. An adjustment that is excessively loose can cause pounding and contribute to uneven tire wear, steering difficulties and inefficient brakes. Check bearing adjustment at regular inspection intervals. New wheel seals must be installed when the hub is removed. A damaged or worn seal can permit bearing lubricant to reach the brake linings, resulting in ineffective brake operation and necessitating premature replacement of linings. To check the wheel bearing adjustment, raise the front of the vehicle. Grasp the tire at the sides, and alternately push inward and pull outward on the tire. If any looseness is felt, adjust the front wheel bearings as follows.
NOTE:
Super Duty F-250, F-350 shown, Super Duty F-450, F-550 similar.
- Remove the hub cap from the hub.
- Remove the cotter pin and the castellated nut.
- While rotating the wheel, tighten the adjusting nut to specification as illustrated to seat the bearings.
- Back off the adjusting nut until loose.
- While rotating the wheel, tighten the adjusting nut to specification as illustrated. Torque required to rotate the hub should be 2 Nm (18 lb-in).
- Install the castellated nut and insert a new cotter pin.
- Install the hub cap.