2003 Ford F250sd 5.4 auto 4x4 165k
Today when I was swapping out the locking hubs on the front axle (Dana 60) one was pretty much seized in there, took about two hours of penetrating oil & hammering to get the driver side free. Even shattered a claw hammer on it.
Once it was out I noticed the axle shaft had about 1/4" - 1/2" of side play (nothing abnormal in & out) in any direction, prior to pulling the locker if I hit a bump it sounded like someone spinning an empty toilet paper roll on the holder & it would stop after a second.
Does that sound more like the u-joints or the wheel bearing...or something else? It's my first time dealing with a solid front axle setup so it has me guessing.
When it's jacked up off the ground there's no play in the wheel at all.
19 years old, I'd vote for bearings.
Any suggestions on reliable brands for heavy duty front end parts?
From the looks of it I have to pick up the entire hub assembly if I don't want to buy the specialty seal tool (needs a specific depth set) & I hear Moog quality went down the toilet.
Whoever has the best warranty and is local, not internet ordered.
Ended up being a bent axle shaft/bad u-joint. After replacing the hub assembly I couldn't get the outter axle stub to sit true.
It was a slight angle but enough where you could see it & the locker couldn't be installed. Still waiting on some parts as I had to save my pennies but hopefully it'll be done within the week.