F150 rear wheel bearings?

[Curious Hound]

Ok. On my 97 F150, I feel like some drive train or axle noise is getting louder. Sounds like wheel bearings to me. Does not change when making sharp turns the way front wheel bearings normally do. Sounds like it's coming from rear. But we all know that can be deceiving.

So I just put the rear on Jack stands. When I lift up on a wheel, I get what seems like a lot if movement. Happens on both sides. Took passenger side wheel and drum off and set up dial indicator. I have about 0.023" movement up and down. No indication of leaky seals yet. Is that too much play? Or normal? Seems like a lot to me. I have a lot of long distance driving to do over the next 6 weeks. Don't want to get stranded. What do the experts think?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Curious Hound]

Only .008" on driver side. I think that answers my question. Passenger side bearing needs replacement. Should probably do both anyway. 155,000 miles on the truck.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I couldn't seem to find that spec in my Ranger Manual... But my guess is it's way too much.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Its not a limited slip is it? The clutches can growl when they are on their way out.

 

[Curious Hound]

It is limited slip. Would the clutches growl when going straight on the highway? It's a very consistent noise and is very consistent with bearing noise.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I think with the numbers you posted for bearing play... I would start there.

 

[Curious Hound]

And.... while I had the wheels off, I inspected them for foreign objects. Pulled 2 items out of one tire and saw where something else had been stuck in it for a while. Pulled a roofing staple out of the other and heard a hiss. Just got back from the tire shop. There are at least 4 housing developments under construction near my house.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

It is limited slip. Would the clutches growl when going straight on the highway? It's a very consistent noise and is very consistent with bearing noise.

ive never had it happen personally just heard second hand accounts. I think they are usually most noisy when making tight turns like in a parking lot but also make some noise running down the road.

I would bet its probably just the bearings but something to keep in mind if that dont cure it.

 

[Curious Hound]

Well that wasn't fun. I just ordered the wheel bearings. Instead of paying someone else to do it, I also ordered the slide hammer wheel bearing puller kit. That was probably less than half what the labor charge would have been.

Then I ordered the new heavy duty rotors and ceramic pads for the front, with new seals. This is all in addition to the engine oil change that us overdue. Still have to buy oil for that. At least I already have an engine oil filter and plenty of new oil for the rear diff.

It's been an expensive afternoon. I also need new front tires. That will be next week, I guess.

 

[Uncle Gump]

At least you won't be broke and doing the work in a snow drift... so there's that.

 

[Roert42]

easiest way I found to get the gear oil into the differential. As opposed to trying to pour in in from the bottle and spilling most of it on my head.
The compressed air pushed the oil up the hose and out the bottle into the diff. Set you air regulator to like 5-10psi.

 

[Curious Hound]

easiest way I found to get the gear oil into the differential. As opposed to trying to pour in in from the bottle and spilling most of it on my head.
The compressed air pushed the oil up the hose and out the bottle into the diff. Set you air regulator to like 5-10psi.

Cool idea. I usually use one of those little hand pumps that screw on the bottle.

 

[Curious Hound]

At least you won't be broke and doing the work in a snow drift... so there's that.

No guarantee on that one. You northerners just had some early snow. And it snowed in Texas last year. Anything could happen in the next week or two. The weatherman definitely doesn't know.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

easiest way I found to get the gear oil into the differential. As opposed to trying to pour in in from the bottle and spilling most of it on my head.
The compressed air pushed the oil up the hose and out the bottle into the diff. Set you air regulator to like 5-10psi.

I remember someone here saying one time they just fill a ziplock with gear oil and shove it in the pumpkin, bolt the cover back on and let the gears do the rest. It was years ago not even sure if they are still here or who it was

 

[racsan]

I remember someone here saying one time they just fill a ziplock with gear oil and shove it in the pumpkin, bolt the cover back on and let the gears do the rest. It was years ago not even sure if they are still here or who it was

I saw that on “junkyard wars” years ago. I just use a small hand pump, can find them with boating supplies (for filling outboard gearcases). If theres enough clearance you could also pull the abs sensor out of the top of the differential. (if set up that way). I bought a summit 8.8 girdle cover years ago for my 93 that has drain/fill plugs, still have it, put original cover back on before I sold that truck.