clicking hubs
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 170
Likes: 3
From: NJ
clicking hubs
88 f150 4x4 L6 manual hubs...
the front driver side wheel was clicking away with every revolution of the wheel, and with a little extra weight in the truck the passenger side one would do it too. So i replaced the inner and outer wheel bearings (both inner and outer are the same on my model) on both wheels, and noticed that the old ones didnt look too bad but were a bit discolored probably like from excess heat. Well the front end feels a lot tighter now and the clicking went away for a day maybe, but now its back. Its worst when I'm backing up and i turn the wheel at all, it sounds like im grinding solo cups in my wheels. 4x4 works fine. 4x4 is definately not engaged but is it possible that the hub switches are grinding on the shafts? Any thoughts? hubs?
the front driver side wheel was clicking away with every revolution of the wheel, and with a little extra weight in the truck the passenger side one would do it too. So i replaced the inner and outer wheel bearings (both inner and outer are the same on my model) on both wheels, and noticed that the old ones didnt look too bad but were a bit discolored probably like from excess heat. Well the front end feels a lot tighter now and the clicking went away for a day maybe, but now its back. Its worst when I'm backing up and i turn the wheel at all, it sounds like im grinding solo cups in my wheels. 4x4 works fine. 4x4 is definately not engaged but is it possible that the hub switches are grinding on the shafts? Any thoughts? hubs?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 170
Likes: 3
From: NJ
No it doesn't do it when i jack the truck up and rotate the wheel.
The sounds started a few months ago and has gradually gotten worse. I figured it was wheel bearings as the front wheels were feeling a bit loose anyhow. Last week I replaced both inner and outer bearings. The front end feels better now, but the clicking is even worse.
It sounds like its coming from the switch for the hub. Does it in and out of 4wd. is there like a freewheel in the hub switch that allows the could be shot? It honestly sounds like a crinkling or plasticky clicking sound more than metal. I guess when it stops raining I'll take the wheel off and have a look, but everything looked fine before.
The sounds started a few months ago and has gradually gotten worse. I figured it was wheel bearings as the front wheels were feeling a bit loose anyhow. Last week I replaced both inner and outer bearings. The front end feels better now, but the clicking is even worse.
It sounds like its coming from the switch for the hub. Does it in and out of 4wd. is there like a freewheel in the hub switch that allows the could be shot? It honestly sounds like a crinkling or plasticky clicking sound more than metal. I guess when it stops raining I'll take the wheel off and have a look, but everything looked fine before.
April 2010 TOTM Winner
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 515
Likes: 3
From: Panama City, FL
1987-89 F-150 4WD Manual Hubs (3-year only design)
The Manual Hubs on your 1988 F-150 are very expensive if they are like my
1987 F-150 Manual Hubs. They were a Dealer only item several years ago.
I paid $250.00 at the Dealer for just one.
LMC Trucks.com may sell them now?
Also, the Spindle for the 1987-89 F-150 Manual Hubs are rare!
No company sells the 1987-89 F-150 4WD Spindle.
I replaced the spindle in the picture with a good one off eBay,
when I replaced my front wheel bearings a couple of years ago.
I searched and searched and finally found the 1987-89 Spindle on eBay,
when I listed what I wanted in the WANT SECTION.
A Man in Jacksonville, FL had a 88 F-150 4WD with manual hubs in his junk lot and sold it to me for $50.00 plus shipping, he took it off the truck and shipped it to me.
If your hub looks like my hub in the picture and you need a Spindle,
do not order the one that Auto Parts Stores list for the 1990-up F-150 4WD manual hubs,
because there is a 1/2" or so difference in length.
Other F-150 4WD designed hubs have Allen Head or Torx Head screws on the outer chrome edge of the hub, my hub doesn't have any screw heads, and as you know it just slips on and off, it is really easy to replace the hub because it is one piece.
The Front Brake Rotor is a 3-year design also, but it's available at a normal prices.
Hope this helps!
1987 F-150 Manual Hubs. They were a Dealer only item several years ago.
I paid $250.00 at the Dealer for just one.
LMC Trucks.com may sell them now?
Also, the Spindle for the 1987-89 F-150 Manual Hubs are rare!
No company sells the 1987-89 F-150 4WD Spindle.
I replaced the spindle in the picture with a good one off eBay,
when I replaced my front wheel bearings a couple of years ago.
I searched and searched and finally found the 1987-89 Spindle on eBay,
when I listed what I wanted in the WANT SECTION.
A Man in Jacksonville, FL had a 88 F-150 4WD with manual hubs in his junk lot and sold it to me for $50.00 plus shipping, he took it off the truck and shipped it to me.
If your hub looks like my hub in the picture and you need a Spindle,
do not order the one that Auto Parts Stores list for the 1990-up F-150 4WD manual hubs,
because there is a 1/2" or so difference in length.
Other F-150 4WD designed hubs have Allen Head or Torx Head screws on the outer chrome edge of the hub, my hub doesn't have any screw heads, and as you know it just slips on and off, it is really easy to replace the hub because it is one piece.
The Front Brake Rotor is a 3-year design also, but it's available at a normal prices.
Hope this helps!
Last edited by 1987 F-150 XLT 4x4; Sep 29, 2010 at 11:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 170
Likes: 3
From: NJ
The Manual Hubs on your 1988 F-150 are very expensive if they are like my
1987 F-150 Manual Hubs. They were a Dealer only item several years ago.
I paid $250.00 at the Dealer for just one.
LMC Trucks.com may sell them now?
Also, the Spindle for the 1987-89 F-150 Manual Hubs are rare!
No company sells the 1987-89 F-150 4WD Spindle.
I replaced the spindle in the picture with a good one off eBay,
when I replaced my front wheel bearings a couple of years ago.
I searched and searched and finally found the 1987-89 Spindle on eBay,
when I listed what I wanted in the WANT SECTION.
A Man in Jacksonville, FL had a 88 F-150 4WD with manual hubs in his junk lot and sold it to me for $50.00 plus shipping, he took it off the truck and shipped it to me.
If your hub looks like my hub in the picture and you need a Spindle,
do not order the one that Auto Parts Stores list for the 1990-up F-150 4WD manual hubs,
because there is a 1/2" or so difference in length.
Other F-150 4WD designed hubs have Allen Head or Torx Head screws on the outer chrome edge of the hub, my hub doesn't have any screw heads, and as you know it just slips on and off, it is really easy to replace the hub because it is one piece.
The Front Brake Rotor is a 3-year design also, but it's available at a normal prices.
Hope this helps!
1987 F-150 Manual Hubs. They were a Dealer only item several years ago.
I paid $250.00 at the Dealer for just one.
LMC Trucks.com may sell them now?
Also, the Spindle for the 1987-89 F-150 Manual Hubs are rare!
No company sells the 1987-89 F-150 4WD Spindle.
I replaced the spindle in the picture with a good one off eBay,
when I replaced my front wheel bearings a couple of years ago.
I searched and searched and finally found the 1987-89 Spindle on eBay,
when I listed what I wanted in the WANT SECTION.
A Man in Jacksonville, FL had a 88 F-150 4WD with manual hubs in his junk lot and sold it to me for $50.00 plus shipping, he took it off the truck and shipped it to me.
If your hub looks like my hub in the picture and you need a Spindle,
do not order the one that Auto Parts Stores list for the 1990-up F-150 4WD manual hubs,
because there is a 1/2" or so difference in length.
Other F-150 4WD designed hubs have Allen Head or Torx Head screws on the outer chrome edge of the hub, my hub doesn't have any screw heads, and as you know it just slips on and off, it is really easy to replace the hub because it is one piece.
The Front Brake Rotor is a 3-year design also, but it's available at a normal prices.
Hope this helps!
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April 2010 TOTM Winner
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 515
Likes: 3
From: Panama City, FL
You have the less expensive hubs.
Warn sells new hubs for your truck and
I've seen a new set (both sides)
on eBay for $50.00 plus shipping.
All your 4WD parts are available at Parts Stores at normal prices.
Let us know what the problem & solution was.
Warn sells new hubs for your truck and
I've seen a new set (both sides)
on eBay for $50.00 plus shipping.
All your 4WD parts are available at Parts Stores at normal prices.
Let us know what the problem & solution was.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 2
From: NE OHIO
im getting mine worked on soon, no clicking but i was getting i ton of binding in 2wd, jack the front up, have your hub in free, and spin the axle shaft, by rights the wheel should not spin with it, mine the wheel spins with the axle when unlocked, i was told to buy new hubs cuz mine are cheap and are now junk, new u joints, bearings and what ever else we find when we tear it all apart