Ford Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Dial Indicator Gauge Bracketry 100-D004 (D78P-4201-F) or equivalent.

Dial Indicator Gauge100-D005 (D78P-4201-G) or equivalent.

1. Installation of new front wheel bearings may be required if a wheel bearing noise occurs only when turning. To diagnose the front wheel bearings:

2. Road test the vehicle on a smooth road. Make sharp turns to the right and left.
   • Installation of a new left front wheel bearing may be required if the vehicle makes abnormal noises on right turns.
   • Installation of a new right front wheel bearing may be required if the vehicle makes noises on left turns.
   • If front wheel bearing noise is heard on either right or left turns, the wheel hub and front wheel bearing assembly on the side with the most noise should be disassembled and inspected.

3. 

   NOTE:Be careful not to confuse lower arm ball joint looseness with bearing looseness.
   Raise and support the front of the vehicle and check for loose front wheel bearings by rocking the wheels at the top and bottom.

4. Spin the wheel quickly by hand and make sure the wheel turns smoothly without noise from the front wheel bearings.

5. Remove the front brake caliper anchor plate. For additional information, refer to Section  206-03 Front Disc Brake.

6. Position Dial Indicator Gauge Bracketry 100-D004 (D78P-4201-F) or equivalent and Dial Indicator Gauge 100-D005 (D78P-4201-G) or equivalent, against the wheel hub, then push and pull the wheel hub. Measure the end play of the wheel hub and front wheel bearing assembly. There should be no end play. If end play exists, install new front wheel bearings.

7. The wheel hub retaining nut torque restricts bearing/hub relative movement and maintains axial position of the wheel hub. Due to the importance of the wheel hub retaining nut torque/tension relationship, take the following precautions during repair.

8. Since the wheel bearing cannot be adjusted, the wheel hub retaining nut must not be backed off after reaching the required torque during installation.

9. The wheel hub retaining nut can be re-used four times. If the front wheel hub retaining nut is loosened or removed, inspect the markings on the retaining nut and install a new retaining nut if necessary.

10. Power tools must not be used to tighten or loosen the front wheel hub retaining nut or bearing damage may result.

11. To remove the front wheel hub retaining nut, apply sufficient torque to the front wheel hub retaining nut to overcome the prevailing torque feature.