Hey guys, thought I would get some input from the crowd here since it seems there's a collective pool of knowledge worth tapping. My question for today is how common is it for wheel bearings to go bad on an F150 that has less than 45k miles on it? I'm getting a noise that sounds like a bearing going bad, and it seems like this is a bit early to be having this issue (so much so that I've NEVER changed a wheel bearing on a vehicle I've owned in the past 21 years). Now, I do know that there are things that can happen that might cause a bearing to go bad, and there are some things that might have done it to my F150, but I haven't had a chance to have an actual diagnosis done yet. I blew out a tire a few months back after being forced into the curb by someone going left of center, and my drive to and from work is absolutely terrible when it comes to pot holes and rough spots in the road (I mean, seriously, I live in a decent sized city and there are some 35 MPH roads that if you went that fast you'd be flung off the road by how rough they are). Also, when it rains heavily where we live, there are places where the water pools a lot, and there's sometimes nothing that can be done about driving through the pools (so, that probably doesn't help with the potential issues with the wheel bearing). Has anybody else had to replace a wheel bearing with this low of mileage?

Thanks in advance.
Joe

 

Rather than playing 20 questions .....

HINT/TIP: Put your -complete- vehicle information (year, model, cab, trim, engine, wheelbase, _x4 drive, mileage, modifications, etc., etc.) in your signature -OR- provide it in your posting(s).
.

 

Sorry, it's in my profile, but didn't think to post it in here.
2016 F150 XLT Sport 4x4
3.5L Ecoboost
302A w/trailer package

 

From what I've been reading while here for the past few months, it's not TOO uncommon.

You need to do your homework and check the common wheel bearing symptoms, of course.

Also, it could be a wheel end (IWE) making noises too.

Like yourself, I've only greased the old style wheel bearings and have not replaced a hub/bearing unit.

 

Yeah, I looked into the symptoms and at the very least the noise it's making seems to match the research I've done. I'll look into the IWE to see if that's the noise. If it's just the wheel bearing, I'll probably just replace it myself, although I would need to figure out which one it was if it is what the issue is. It's just really strange that it just started happening a couple days ago... and when it started raining heavily recently now that I think about it.

 

Looking up info on the IWE, I hadn't thought to check to see if it happens while it's in 4x4 mode. That will be what I check on my way home from work. Seems that if it goes away while in 4x4, it's a part of the IWE, but if not, then it's probably a wheel bearing... at least from what I'm seeing so far.

 

A couple ways you can quick test the 4x4 sound syndrome:
1) Switch to 4A if you have the option. It will lock the hub you not engage the transfer case
2) unplug the electrical connection of your 4x4 vacuum solenoid. Doing this will not provide vacuum to your wheel ends and they will remain locked.
The solenoid is located on the left (driver side) firewall. the electrical connection is parallel to the fire wall. In addition to the electrical connection there are small vacuum lines attached. One of the lines, about 8" long will go into a disc type thing (check valve) which has a hose in a retainer clip mounted on the vacuum box.

Carefully disconnect the electrical connection....don't break the clip.
I've had my electrical connection disconnected for a few weeks, so don't worry about connecting it back right away.
These are just quick solutions to rule out the IWE from the equation. All this does is engages the hub preventing any slipping o the IWE which makes the grinding noises we seem to experience. If noise persists with these checks, probably something else as a culprit.

 

That will definitely have to be when the temp goes back up, the truck doesn't fit in our garage I don't think I have the all wheel drive (I would assume that's what the 4A is) since I only have the XLT model. I'll see what turning on the 4x4 on the way home does, and I think that will at least let me know if I need to go that far or not. I appreciate the replies everyone

 

You mention several things which could contribute to early bearing failure and I do not believe bearings are as good as they once were. .Banging against a curb probably is the culprit.I had two fail on a Cougar long ago with 60- 65k miles and I drove on better roads and didn't hit a curb.

 

Yes, 4A is automatic. Wasn't sure which truck you were driving. Not sure why I din't pick up on that in your signature. Oops.

Disconnecting the electrical connection is simple. You stand at the fender and reach over, it's at fender height.
However, disconnecting brittle/cold electrical connections can be unnerving.

You are probably aware not to drive on dry pavement while swerving around a parking lot listening to noises in 4x4 mode.