I have a 02 F150 Supercab with 180,xxx and have never had to do any front end work since I bought it with 80,xxx. Had it parked at work for a week while using my work truck and went to drive it home last night and before I left our shop I noticed something was wrong. It sounded like my front drivers side tire was rubbing. It has never rubbed and I know that is not the problem but I drove it a little while and noticed when I swerve left it gets louder and when I turn right it seems to dull out. I am thinking it is a wheel bearing or hub? I know you can't grease these on '02 stocks but not sure what the problem is. I have 4x4 with the 5.4l V8 running 3" blocks in back and cranked torsion bars with LT285/70/R17 Maxxis Bighorns. Thanks for the help!!!

 

sounds like a hub is going out.

 

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Do either of you know about how much a hub cost to replace or if it is a caliper bolt what that would be? I am guessing if it is a hub I have lots of other front end trouble not to far off since I have never had any needed repairs up there yet and debating whether I want to fix it or retire the old girl and get a new one??

 

hrm, not sure I've heard a bad hub/wheel bearing sound like a tire rubbing. They can howl, and the tone will change with turns. Sounds like you need to get it up in the air and inspect everything before you make the decision to trade it in. Been a good truck so far? Any and all IFS front ends eventually need ball joints, wheel bearings/hub, tie rod ends etc... Don't give up that easy. Get it up in the air, see if you find any movement in the tire grabbing it from 12 oclock and 6 oclock, then try again from 3 to 9. There shouldnt be any movement, unless you have the whole front off the ground then youll get steering movement.... If there is play, its easier to have someone poke their head around the back side and watch as it moves, look at the lower ball joint, upper ball joint and hub/bearing area.. Youll find it. Also look at your caliper bolts like jbrew suggested. Report back with findings.

Wheel bearing and hub assembly if i remember are about $75-100, It is all one unit. Wouldnt take more than an hour per side depending on experience.

 

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yeah 180k is a lot of miles on the stock suspension parts not to mention your angles from the cranked t-bars aren't helping any. What Toyz said is right, the one thing you need to do is get it off the ground and check everything out. And no need to retire her, like the diesel guys say it's just getting broke in! haha