So, I'm at one of those big box auto maintenance places today to get an oil change on my '97 4.6L SuperCab (with 107.7K miles), and the service guy shows me that there is some play in my front wheels. I also took ahold of each wheel/tire and could feel a little play in both. So, he's recommends that he change out both the inner and outer wheel bearings now, before the situation starts to effect my alignment (my alignment is fine now).
The quote to do this work is: $26.75 per inner bearing, $21.94 per outer bearing, and $200 labor to replace all four bearings, for a grand total of close to $300.

As ya'll can probably tell by now, I'm not mechanically inclined.

Almost all of driving is to/from work (maybe 30 miles roundtrip per day), on almost all highway.

1st question: should I have the bearings replaced now?
2nd question: outer AND inner?
3nd question: (A) does this seem like to fair price? If not, what is?
(B) how long should it take someone who knows what they're doing to replace the bearings? I ask this because there's a guy who I work with who could do the work during his lunch hour(s), and he could really use the money.

Thanks, in advance, for all info./responses.

 

2wd or 4wd?
Big difference in the front bearing assemblies.
If 2wd, are the spindle nuts tighened to spec?
To replace 2wd, the inside grease seal and beaing has to be forced out and new pressed back in. Calipers have to come off.
Same on the outside minus the seal.
It's not a lunch hour job in the parking lot to do it right.
If 4wd, there is a bearing pack held in with 4 bolts on the back side so some disassembly is required before you even get to it.
Be a little carefull who it telling you what!
And have them show you before consenting to the work.
Good luck.

 

Timken bearings are ~$10 a piece at AutoZone plus $10 each for the inner seals. I replaced both inner and outer bearings on both sides when I replaced my rotors recently (2WD). Was fairly simple albeit messy when packing the bearings.

If you are going to replace them, do both inner and outer at the same time. It took me (newb) 4 hrs total to do both sides (remove calipers, install new rotors and bearings, replace pads).

There are some posts here explaining how to do it as well as loads of videos out there on the interwebs.

 

While it wouldn't hurt to replace them, you might first try having them repacked and retightened to spec. There is a big difference between a loose bearing and a bad bearing.

 

Well friend , if you have noticed any play in the wheel then don't take any risk and replace the bearings and as far as the price is concerned, it's good price at all. So go for it. click here

 

may be one side he could do based on 2wd truck for lunch hr. assuming he has the tools to do it. Those bolts for the caliper arent an easy task without the proper tool.

Also you prolly should try the repack idea and see what happens. during the repack then can tell if you need a new bearings. Its also cheaper the repack!!!!

ALL THIS IS BASED ON 2WD TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD LUCK

 

Yea, I forgot to mention that the truck is 2WD AND that it needs new front brakes (pads, turned rotors), so I was thinking that if the bearings were changed out at the same time as the brakes there would be some time (money) savings there.

 

To replace the rotors on a 2WD you'll need to transfer the bearings anyway. I'm not sure but there may be a pre-loaded rotor you can get somewhere.

 

If you are going to do a brake job anyway, then I'd definitely replace the bearings for cheap insurance if nothing else. Been there done that, only repacked the bearings on mine when the brake job was done, and I seized up a bearing last year in the middle of nowhere, cost $600 to get fixed.

 

The price is fine...people need paid for their time

With that said 2WD is not that hard to do so you or a friend could do it over a long lunch hour..or two. Kinda depends on how quick you can get things up and off. But new rotor, bearings, pads etc isn't hard at all if you have done it once or twice...especially on a ford pickup. F150's 2WD don't get any easier IMO.

 

Buy the part off rockauto and do it yourself.

 

It's super easy to change out the bearings; just do it when you do your brakes. Be sure to always torque down everything.
I just replaced my rotors and bearings 2 weeks ago. Took me about an hour.

 

Well folks, thanks for taking your time to help me out.
Since I had no idea/experience doing it, I had a Firestone store do the brakes (turned rotors, new pads) for $99, and they repacked (by hand, i watched) the bearings and installed new seals for $137.
Nice guy, served in the "war".
I think he did great, I learned a lot, and I guess I did a little to keep the economy going!
Thanks again for all your help!