2018!Failed right front wheel bearing

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jwas1

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I have owned multiple Expeditions over the years. No problems. Just had right front wheel bearing on 2018 XLT fail at 52,000 miles. Dealer has never seen this. Anyone have this experience?
 

Artie

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There’s another thread floating around with this same topic. Apparently, these hub assemblies are filled with hopes and dreams and .144 caliber bb’s for bearings.

I know this first had as well, both my fronts were changed just shy of 50k on the clock.
 

Jigstick

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Both my front wheel bearings crapped the bed at 45k. Now at 47k and all 4 struts **** the bed too.
 

JD01

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Same issue with F150. I have both vehicles. If you search the F150 forum you will find tons of info there as well.
 

Old Gearhead

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2018 Expedition, 32,000 right front bearing also. So far left is still good and right is holding up at 52,000.
 

ROBERT BONNER

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I've owned multiple F150's and Expeditions over the years; and, I've replaced a lot of front wheel bearings. Thoughts on Front Wheel Bearings:

All other things being equal, the larger diameter the wheels, the shorter the wheel bearing life. This is a simple moment issue. It's the same reason that the larger diameter wheels translate into more stable cornering: more lateral G's are put to the bearing rather than being absorbed via sidewall roll on tires with taller sidewalls.

All other things being equal, trucks/expy's with Aluminum Knuckles go through bearings faster. I believe that is due to increased stress due to thermal loads as the bearings and knuckles expand and contract differently under thermal load. The Aluminum actually increases compressive stresses on the bearing outer diameter. Add a corrosive rustbelt environment to the dissimilar metal problem and galvanic corrosion will accelerate the failure much faster because corrosion on both parts adds pressure to the bearing.

Finally, as an engineer who has been involved in specing and procuring bearings for production applications over the years. It has become increasingly difficult to procure high quality bearings due to a lack of capacity for higher quality bearings and increased global capacity of lower quality bearings. I've also had to buy several sets of front wheel bearings for my 2007 F150 over the years and I've found premium Motorcraft and Timken bearings last fewer and fewer miles.

This is one of the reasons I went with the FX4 on my 20 Expedition with the 18" wheels. I know it doesn't corner as well; but, I get less mud inside the wheels off road, and I'm hoping to extend my wheel bearing life a little bit. But, I do wish they had put a steel knuckle and aluminum control arms on the 4th generation instead of the opposite.

The good news is, it's a pretty easy repair. I can change a set out in under an hour without rushing.
 
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