How Do I Remove the Rear Axle Bearing on a Ford F-150?

by Alexis Rohlin

Rear axle wheel bearings are a part of the F-150's suspension. The bearings allow the wheels to rotate while supporting the vehicle's weight. The constant weight load on the bearings can degrade the seals. A faulty seal can allow dirt, water and other contaminants to enter into the bearings and the grease to leak out. Wheel bearings need to be replaced when the wheels begin to rumble, click or make cyclical noises. Another sign of faulty wheel bearings is drifting during driving, which is similar to when the tires need to be realigned.

Step 1

Place the wheel chocks behind the front wheels of the truck and kick them forward to make them sit snugly against the wheels. Place a car jack under the rear of the vehicle and jack it up.

Step 2

Place the truck into neutral. Remove the rear wheels.

Step 3

Remove the two 10 mm bolts that hold the calipers to the brakes. Remove the calipers.

Step 4

Remove 11 of the 12 13 mm bolts on the rotors. Loosen the top bolt a few turns, but leave it on to prevent the rotor cover from dropping on you in the next step.

Step 5

Place a drain pan under the rotor housing. Hammer a putty knife between the rotor cover and the housing to break the seal. Let the gear oil drain into the pan. Remove the top bolt and cover, and set them aside.

Step 6

Rotate the pinion flange to reveal the pinion shaft retaining bolt. Place the six-point wrench on the bolt. Wedge the pry-bar against the carrier ring gear to keep it from moving on you. Remove the bolt with the wrench. Remove the pry-bar.

Step 7

Slide the pinion shaft out toward you and remove it. Push the wheel flanges straight in. Remove the C-clips of the flanges and pull the rear axle shaft straight out of its housing.

Step 8

Reinstall the pinion shaft and replace the pinion shaft retaining bolt; turn it a few turns to prevent the gears from moving.

Step 9

Hook the head of the large rolling head pry-bar into the open center of the axle seal. Pull the bar out and forward to pop the seal off.

Step 10

Insert the end of the axle bearing puller hook behind the bearing. Tighten up the nut of the axle bearing puller. Hit it with the slide hammer until the bearing comes out. Check the interior of the bearing to make sure that no bearing roller balls have remained inside of it.

References

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