🔧 Front Wheel Bearing Hub - Replacement

This guide covers replacing the front wheel bearing hub assembly on your F-150. On this truck, the bearing is built into the hub, so the usual repair is to replace the entire hub assembly rather than press in a loose bearing.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the truck securely with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• Do not let the brake caliper hang by the hose.
• The ABS wheel speed sensor is attached to the hub area. Handle the wiring carefully.
• After repair, a road test is needed to confirm no bearing noise and no ABS warning lights.
• Battery disconnect is not normally required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar
• Ratchet
• 21mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 8mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord
• Trim clip tool
• Penetrating oil
• Rubber mallet
• Pick tool

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wheel bearing hub assembly - Replace in pairs if mileage is high - Qty: 1
• Front hub-to-knuckle bolts - Qty: 3
• ABS sensor retaining clip - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground.
• Set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts before lifting the truck.
• Replace only the side that is noisy or loose unless both are worn.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift the truck and remove the wheel

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the truck.
• Place jack stands under the frame and lower the truck onto them.
• Remove the wheel with a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the brake caliper and rotor

• Use a 15mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Lift the caliper and bracket off as one unit and hang it with a bungee cord.
• Remove the rotor. If it sticks, tap it gently with a rubber mallet.
• Do not let the brake hose twist.

Step 3: Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring

• Use a trim clip tool to release the ABS wire from the brackets.
• Use an 8mm socket if the sensor retaining bolt must be removed.
• Move the harness aside so it will not be damaged during hub removal.

Step 4: Remove the hub assembly

• Spray the hub bolts with penetrating oil.
• Use a 15mm socket and breaker bar to remove the 3 hub-to-knuckle bolts from the back side.
• Pull the hub assembly straight out of the knuckle.
• If it is stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap it loose from the back side.
• Clean the knuckle surface before installing the new hub.

Step 5: Install the new wheel bearing hub

• Position the new hub assembly into the knuckle.
• Start all 3 new bolts by hand.
• Use a 15mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the hub bolts.
• Tighten the hub-to-knuckle bolts to 177 Nm (130 ft-lbs).
• Reconnect the ABS sensor wiring and clips.

Step 6: Reinstall the rotor and caliper

• Install the rotor over the new hub.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket using a 15mm socket.
• Tighten the caliper bracket bolts to 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts with a 21mm socket.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Tighten the lug nuts to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other side if needed

• Repeat the same procedure on the opposite side if both bearings are worn.
• Front wheel bearings should be diagnosed before replacing both sides.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the truck and check for ABS warning lights.
• Road test at low speed first.
• Listen for humming, grinding, or clicking noises.
• Check for loose play by rocking the wheel at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $330-$570 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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