Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub: Installation

All vehicles 

1. Position the wheel bearing and wheel hub in a vise with protective caps and install the 4 studs using 2 mounting nuts.
   Fig 1: Locating Nuts On Studs

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Any time the wheel bearing and wheel hub are removed for any reason, a new O-ring seal must be installed. Failure to do so can cause a vacuum leak and loss of Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) operations.
Fig 2: Locating Wheel Bearing And Wheel Hub O-Ring Seal
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
2. Install a new wheel bearing and wheel hub O-ring seal.

   Vehicles with ABS 

3. Position the wheel speed sensor and install the bolt.
   • Tighten to 18 Nm (159 lb-in).

   All vehicles 

4. If removed, position the brake disc shield.
NOTE: Apply a coat of grease to the O-ring area of the wheel bearing and wheel hub before installation.
5. Position the wheel bearing and wheel hub and install the 4 new nuts.
   • Tighten to 180 Nm (133 lb-ft).

   All vehicles 

6. Install the axle shaft snap ring.
NOTE: Any time the hublock is removed, a new O-ring seal must be installed. Failure to do so can cause a vacuum leak and loss of 4WD functions.
7. Install a new hublock O-ring seal.
NOTE: The service replacement kit includes 2 O-ring seals; one for testing the hublock assembly and one for reassembly into the wheel hub. DO NOT REUSE O-RING SEALS or hublock failure may occur.
NOTE: Always check the vacuum leak rate of the wheel end assembly when repairing or diagnosing the axle, wheel end or hublock performance.
8. Install a new hublock gasket, then install the hublock in the following sequence.
   1. Rotate the hublock dial clockwise to the lock position. Apply the specified grease to the inner and outer splines.
   2. Insert the hublock into the wheel hub while slowly turning the wheel hub to align the splines. Lift/jiggle the axle U-joint while pushing the hublock into the wheel hub.
9. Install new hublock screws. Rotate the dial to the counterclockwise position (free/auto) and confirm that the wheel hub turns free of the axle shaft.
   • Tighten to 6 Nm (53 lb-in).
NOTE: Make sure that the wheel hub and brake disc mounting surfaces are clean and free of foreign material or excessive runout and/or vibration may occur.
10. Position the brake disc onto the wheel hub noting the position of the index mark.
11. Position the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly and install the bolts.
    • F250 and F350, tighten to 225 Nm (166 lb-ft).
    • F450 and F550, tighten to 400 Nm (295 lb-ft).

    Vehicles with DRW 

12. Position the wheel extension and install the new nuts.
    • Tighten to 176 Nm (130 lb-ft).

    Vehicles with ABS 

13. Install the wheel speed sensor harness-to-wheel knuckle bolt.
    • Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).
14. Install the 2 wheel speed sensor harness-to-axle bolts.
    • Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).
    Fig 3: Locating Wheel Speed Sensor Harness-To-Axle Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
15. Connect the wheel speed sensor harness to the frame.

Fig 4: Locating Wheel Speed Sensor Harness To Frame

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.