Front Wheel Bearings

[etbadger]

Ok, here's my writeup with pictures. The photos are all from the reassembly as I really didn't want to get my grimy hands on the camera during dis-assembly, nor admit to how dirty everything was by that point.

http://www.badgertrek.com/sportsmobi...Bearings.shtml

Also transmission flush for those who want to do it themselves:

http://www.badgertrek.com/sportsmobi...iftFluid.shtml

As always these are for entertainment purposes only, undoubtedly I did something "wrong" and you should only ever let a certified & licensed Ford tech ever touch your van ...

-Erik

[Angel]

Badger,

You said to use wheel bearing grease for disk breaks. When I called Bob's Break & Alignment in Lawndale, CA (recommended on this forum) and asked them what grease they use, they said "a synthetic wheel bearing grease". Is a grease for disk breaks a synthetic grease?

I think my local mechanic can do it but I want to make sure he uses the right product. I will buy it and take it to him.

What grease-brand, weight, type-do you all think should I buy?

Angel

[stikine]

I know Red Line comes highly recommended (it is synthetic) & I have used same:

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=82&pcid=17

[Angel]

I bought the red line grease, printed out Badgers pictures and instructions and went to my repair place to have the bearings packed. My 2008 Dana 60 is not the same as Badgers. My bearings are sealed. I was told that doing a break job is easier to do on my van but when the bearing go, it will be more expensive as they have to replace the whole unit. I am learning!!!!!!

Angel

[Ed in Montana]

Angel said:

I am learning!!!!!!

When I was growing up, my mother used to shout "LEARN!" anytime we were confronted with a particularly painful or expensive situation. This sounds like the latter situation.

[Angel]

Hi Ed,

Since I only have 20,000 miles and the bearings are not making any noise, the learning experience was free, this time. Now I am on alert because the next learning experience is sure to cost me twice as much.

Angel

[tskyhi]

Erik,

Awesome write up and pics. I am currently replacing front bearings, ball joints, tie rods, pads, and rotors.

I don't know why, but I am having a heck of a time coming up with a source for the grease seal(#48816) and have spent far too much time on the net trying to do so. Manny, Moe, and Jack weren't much help.

I've talked to SMB and Dynatrac and was told to cross reference early Chevy K30's, but that's still a struggle. I know this should be a stupidly easy part to find. I'm starting to think I've entered the twilight zone.

Please help.....where did you source your seals, what part#, and how much? This should be a $7-10 part right?

Thanks,

Tim

[Roonie]

Originally Posted by tskyhi

Please help.....where did you source your seals, what part#, and how much? This should be a $7-10 part right?

Thanks,

Tim

I just did a quick google search and came up with this... Don't know the company or anything else about it, just an example.

https://www.4wdfactory.com/store/produc ... aring-Seal

edit; I too would like a source for the wheel bearings and seals as a kit if possible as I have gone to 2 local auto parts stores (Napa, O-Reilly) and they both don't carry all the parts. I am looking at repacking my bearings as well. The above link may work but I haven't done the legwork to find out yet.

[saline]

Originally Posted by tskyhi

Erik,

Awesome write up and pics. I am currently replacing front bearings, ball joints, tie rods, pads, and rotors.

I don't know why, but I am having a heck of a time coming up with a source for the grease seal(#48816) and have spent far too much time on the net trying to do so. Manny, Moe, and Jack weren't much help.

I've talked to SMB and Dynatrac and was told to cross reference early Chevy K30's, but that's still a struggle. I know this should be a stupidly easy part to find. I'm starting to think I've entered the twilight zone.

Please help.....where did you source your seals, what part#, and how much? This should be a $7-10 part right?

Thanks,

Tim

Tim,
Just curious, why are having to replace all of the above items? High mileage?
I recently had my bearings re-packed and seals replaced by a local trusted 4x4 shop at 40k miles.

[stikine]

Just curious, looks like there is no requirement for repacking or inspection of the rear wheel bearings?