Wheel Hubs and Bearings
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The wheel hub on the full float axle has:
- two support bearings lubricated with rear axle lubricant.
- a rear hub seal located behind the inner bearing to seal the assembly.
- a ratcheting hub nut to provide wheel bearing preload.
- a pocket in the hub which retains rear axle fluid for bearing lubrication.
- a spindle slot to lock the tab on the retaining nut.
The rear hub is supported or floats on the axle spindle on 2 opposing tapered roller bearings. A rear hub seal is installed behind the inner rear wheel bearing to prevent rear axle lubricant from leaking onto the rotor. The rear hub is retained on the spindle by a ratcheting hub nut tabbed to a slot on the spindle.
The rear wheel bearings are packed with a lithium-based grease, premium long-life grease, to provide initial lubrication until axle lubricant flows into the rear hubs and the inner rear wheel bearings during vehicle operation.
The rear wheel hub is supported on the rear axle housing. The hub rotates on the bearings and allows the wheels to turn.