Hi all. I did a quick search and didn’t turn up much. Sorry if this is a repost.
I’ve got a 2012 4x4 f150. At 206k it’s time for some new front hubs. I can get duralast for 159 each. Which isn’t a bad price but I’m not wild about the brand. Everything else (motorcraft, moog, Napa) is horribly expensive. I found some Detroit axle brand on Amazon for around 180 a set Which I really like the price of but have no idea about quality. Does anyone have any input on a set that won’t break the bank? Or if the Detroit’s or duralasts are any good?
Also do I need to replace the 4x4 locking mechanism while I’m at it? 4x4 still works great but I didn’t know if since I’m that far if I should go ahead.

thanks for any input and if you need anymore info let me know

 

OE Motorcrafts on rockauto.com are just over $200.

 

yes and 430 plus shipping seems a bit ridiculous for a set of hubs

 

If at all possible I would like to keep the cost under 300 bucks. I’m sorry but any more just seems outrageous. Maybe I’m wrong but I’ve never spent more than that for hubs for my older trucks. Are these that special that to get a good part it really is going to cost that much?

example of what I mean. Last time I looked my alternator is almost 400 to replace. Now how is it that much different from one on an 01 that it’s more than double the cost? Most things I’ve had to replace on this truck have not been bad at all price wise. But this just seems over the top.

 

Probably could get two from a salvage yard for less than $100.

 

Let's back up a bit - why do you think you need new hubs?

 

because the bearings are on their way out in the passenger side hub. And at 206k I’m not going to just replace one

 

If you can get another 200K on the OE Motorcrafts on rockauto.com, then the extra $100 might be a good investment. Think long term reliability - I'm not great at math but I think that would be a pretty low cost per mile driven. Think of the peace of mind it will give you

 

You raise a valid point. I’m still on the fence about it. From what I can see on rock auto my best choice is the moog hubs. Either way I go should I replace the 4x4 actuators? From what I’ve read about 50% says you need too and the other 50% either doesn’t say or says you don’t need too.

 

Depends on intended use, how long you are gonna keep it, how dependent on it are you too. New trucks and low mile near new trucks wreck every day. Even a truck with 100K if rolled or hit a pole dead center has still good hubs. If buying now, for me, for my '07, I'd probably go with Moog or the MC one's as I plan on keeping this '07 too. If it's like the '77 I bought in 1986 ... and that I still have ... to have replaced bearings in the '90s would seam insignificant now looking back, but it's still OEM in that regard. I've had the '77 on long trips, even in other states at all hours of the night, hundreds of miles from home.

To have spent a)$400 and have no issues ... vs ... b) just $300 and have a failure at 2AM with 225 or 525 miles to home?

But then, you may get 200,xxx out of the Dura-last ones, I know some who have never had a failure yet with them.

Any can fail. Deep offset wheels & bigger tires don't help (if present).

 

No need to replace the IWE's unless they are grinding in 2wd.