2013 F150Frontwheel bearing

Step 10: Remove the caliper assembly. Attach an iron thread to hold it together, then unscrew the two screws from the caliper mount using a ratchet and a 21mm socket. Attach the caliper to the iron thread.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication. Read our full disclaimer here.

Step 6: Unclip the cable attachment points using a fork. Unscrew the screw holding it to the wheel knuckle using an 8mm spanner, disconnect it from the brake hose, then put the cable down.

2006F150 Wheel Bearing

Step 14: Shift the ABS sensor cable to the other side of the brake system anchor plate, then remove the hub assembly with a hammer.

You’ll hear clicking, cracking, grinding, snapping, or whining noises coming from your wheels or tires. They’ll increase when accelerating or turning.

Step 21: Screw in the new part crosswise, tightening screws one by one until they make contact. Use a ratchet and new screws.

Step 18: Get the gear in using the pump, so that it can be easily and completely inserted into the hub. Grease the hub lock actuator and the contact part of the wheel hub assembly.

Wheel BearingFordF1504x4

On modern front- and four-wheel drive cars, wheel bearings are a set of permanently sealed, precisely machined steel ball or straight roller bearings. The balls, or rollers, are encased in a “cage” that supports the bearings, allowing them to rotate freely.

2013FordF1504x4 Front Hub Assembly

Unlike unbalanced tires, shaking caused by a bad wheel bearing should be obvious from the side of the car where the bearing is failing.

Step 9: Measure the distance between the end of the driveshaft thread and the bearing using a caliper for accurate reassembly.

Step 17: For RWD mode, the vacuum pump operates and the hub lock actuator gear is drawn in, effectively disengaging the hub bearing transmission. For 4WD, the vacuum is off, and the hub lock actuator switches on and the transmission connects to the wheel hub.

Simply stated, wheel bearings allow cars and trucks to run smoother and more efficiently by reducing friction and supporting vehicle weight. When they start to fail, you can usually tell.

The average cost to replace a sealed wheel hub bearing is $350 per wheel. However, depending on the make and model, shop labor rate, the cost of the bearing itself and any additional damage, the total could exceed $1,000.

Step 15: Clean the driveshaft and inside of the hub with a paper towel. Use a paper towel to protect the whole. Use a fine chisel to remove corrosion, then brush with a wire brush. Finish cleaning with sandpaper and brake cleaner. Remove the paper towel.

To ensure that the part is properly installed during reassembly, measure the distance between the end of the drive shaft thread and the bearing with a caliper.

Friction from a failing wheel bearing produces heat. After driving, without touching the tires or wheels, carefully walk around your vehicle and use a non-touch thermometer to measure if one is hotter than the others.

Step 11: Remove the caliper assembly. Attach an iron thread to the vehicle body to hold it together when it is removed, then unscrew the two screws from the caliper mount using a ratchet and a 21mm socket. Attach it to the previously installed iron thread. For more information, we recommend watching our video “How to replace the front discs and pads Ford F-150“

But sealed wheel bearings are non-serviceable and should never be repaired, only replaced. Even if a pro suggests repairing a bearing, don’t let them. Trying to reuse a damaged wheel bearing can result in an accident and severe injury.

Step 3: Lift the front of your vehicle and securely place it on axle stands. Watch our “How to jack your Ford F-150 safely” video for guidance before proceeding.

On many vehicles, the ABS sensor is built into the wheel bearing, or it’s externally mounted adjacent to the spinning part of the bearing where the sensor measures vehicle speed. Damaged from a wobbly wheel bearing, the sensor will send erratic readings to the vehicle’s computer, illuminating the ABS light.

In the Garage with CarParts.com is an online blog dedicated to bringing DIYers and devoted car enthusiasts up to date with topical automotive news and lifestyle content. Our writers live and breathe automotive, taking the guess work out of car repairs with how-to content that helps owners get back on the road and keep driving.

2013 F1504x4 Frontwheel Bearing

A bad wheel bearing can cause a tire/wheel to move or glide unevenly or sluggishly. It can also cause your brakes to drag, pulling your vehicle to one side when you try to stop.

2013 F150ecoboostwheel Bearing

Absolutely not. It’s crucial to get bad wheel bearings diagnosed and replaced ASAP. If not, you could lose a wheel or get in an accident.

Ready to perform this DIY replacement job? Remember that all the parts in this guide can be found on CarParts.com. Check out all the products that fit your vehicle right here.

According to Simes, a failing wheel bearing will likely produce a soft, faint vibration that’s felt before it’s heard. There may also be a vague rhythmic humming or droning sound that increases over time and with speed.

The cage and rollers are held together inside a hardened metal ring called a “race.” The seal keeps grease in and damaging water and debris out. Wheel bearings are installed inside, and secured to, the suspension, either by press fit, bolts or a snap-ring. Once mounted, the wheel bearing rides on the axle shaft, allowing the tire/wheel to spin effortlessly.

NOTE: Whether you DIY or your mechanic replaces the bearing, always install a new axle hub nut. Most hub nuts are prevailing torque fasteners, used on critical components (like securing axle shafts to hub bearings) where a loose nut could lead to disastrous consequences.

You can service or replace tapered wheel bearings yourself. Never reuse any wheel bearing that’s loose, worn, noisy or shows any signs of wear.

Read on to learn the most common bad wheel bearing symptoms, based on my experience (50 years in the industry) and that of Joe Simes, a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified and Toyota master technician. But first, a little background.

For optimal installation of the part, it is necessary to screw in the part crosswise, screwing in the screws one by one until they make contact, using the ratchet.

2013 F150 wheel bearingsymptoms

Depending on the vehicle, you can save hundreds in labor replacing wheel bearings yourself. Most auto parts stores will lend you the specialty tools and equipment needed to replace a wheel bearing.

Step 24: Replace the hub nut. While blocking the hub’s rotation with a crowbar, screw it back on. Finish tightening with a torque wrench and put the cover back on the nut.

Step 16: Disconnect the vacuum hoses and use a manual vacuum pump to install the new hub. Connect the pump to the large diameter nipple, then vacuum with the pump to draw in the hub lock actuator gear.

2013 F150 wheel bearingreplacement

Joe Simes is an ASE and Toyota master technician. After 20 years in the industry, Simes recently became a Pennsylvania Department of Education certified automotive technology instructor at North Montco Technical Career Center in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

This video is for entertainment purposes only. CarParts.com, Inc. disclaims all damages including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, and/or punitive, for any liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or arising from any information or lack thereof posted in this video. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All mechanical car projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. If you are in doubt, please consult a licensed mechanic in your area.

We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices.