Execut1ve

well it looks like I'll be replacing my front left wheel bearing sometime in the not too distant future, what are the good names in wheel bearings? can I go with the house brand or is this something I don't want to be cheap on

dirtcrew51m

Timekin is the best, Bower\bca is good, if you can find them, Why are you replacing them? If the cages are straight, the rollers are not blue or grooved, or pitted, you can just clean and repack them. You can also check them by tightening them, slowly turning the rotor, and feel for any flat spots or resistance other than the tightness of the bearing.

Execut1ve

when I took the truck to be aligned yesterday the guy at the shop pronounced the bearings to be bad. he said the noise I was hearing whenever I turned to the right (it's the LF bearing) which I had thought to be caused by the truck being out of alignment was actually caused by the bad bearing

cmsmech1976

Trust me! Go to the dealer and get the bearing. I had a customer brought me a 2002 Chevy silverado He did not want to pay Dealer price so we went with aftermarket from oreillys. At first we went with master pro brand. 1 month it went out. So it was under warranty and i exchanged it for the better one not sure if it was timken or national bearing. It did last longer but only 2 1/2 months. I Exchanged it for the same product it was still under warranty. 2 1/2 months later it is out again. I finally told my customer if you want these things to last longer you will have to go to the dealer. So we did. We went to the dealer and got one and that has been 2 to 2 1/2 years ago and i ask him everytime i see him if he has had any more problems with it. He says no. I see him alot it is my wife uncle. Thanks I hope this helps you to make the right decision and not have a bunch of trouble out of aftermarket bearings.

Execut1ve

will I need to replace the races as well?

1987 F-150 XLT 4x4

Up to 1979, Ford installed Timken Bearings in Ford trucks.
I'm not sure when Ford changed suppliers.

This was not considered aftermarket bearings;
but F-Series Standard Equipment bearings.

Timken is the name brand that I still buy.

I haven't had a Timken wheel bearing wear out or go bad and
I have never heard of one going bad either.
Of course they will if not greased properly.

I have bought faulty parts at different Ford Dealership Parts Departments.
I used to think that all Ford OEM Parts were the best, that is not always true.
Many times aftermarket parts are cheaper and better.

Timken Wheel Bearings and Spicer U-Joints
were both used on older Ford trucks, and each Company makes quality parts.

Yes, you need to replace the Race too.

My 2ĸ

dirtcrew51m

Raise the front, see if the wheel is loose, maybe the bearing is just a little loose and something in the hub or 4x4 is rubbing. Agree with 87, new race, a small punch will usually get it out, just work it around.

dirtcrew51m

Oh and 87 your prognosis is actually wort fitty cent.

cmsmech1976

If these are just standard old style bearings i would use aftermarket. The bearings i am talking about are hub assemblies and pressed bearings that you would need to go to the dealer. If there just standard bearing if they go out they are easily replaced and i have never had trouble out of aftermarket race style bearings.

92fordf1504x4

timken is the way to go. just put them on my truck