2018!Failed right front wheel bearing

[jwas1]

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]

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.

 

[scottdm]

Here's the thread that Artie mentioned. https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/bad-wheel-bearing-at-only-30k-miles.48649/

 

[Jigstick]

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

 

[FlyBry]

from Rockauto website

 

[Jettix2]

Yes. Both my front wheel bearings were done at 60k miles.

 

[Lee Dame]

I lost both of mine at 8k miles …

 

[JD01]

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]

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

 

[ROBERT BONNER]

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.

 

[youngkicker]

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?

I have a 2018 Expedition Platinum with only 38k miles in the shop now and bearing are rusted and shot they are telling me. I live in CA. Right side front. But they listed with a scope and think the left side is not far behind.

 

[Lizzie]

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?

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?

I haven't. Mine didn't fail till after I put spacers/bigger wheels at 230k. Did they mention why?

 

[Deadman]

What did yours sound like as they were failing? Mine has started a sizzling type of sound from the front end area that almost sounds like tire noise, but its not the tires.

 

[JasonH]

What did yours sound like as they were failing? Mine has started a sizzling type of sound from the front end area that almost sounds like tire noise, but its not the tires.

Sounds like a low rumbling sound that changes pitch as you turn. If you can find a sweeping highway turn, go around both directions at a moderate speed and the pitch will change as you turn the wheel. Last time one my mine failed it sounded like the passenger side but it was actually the driver side. You can also fee friction in the hub if you rotate it with the wheel off.

 

[Deadman]

Sounds like a low rumbling sound that changes pitch as you turn. If you can find a sweeping highway turn, go around both directions at a moderate speed and the pitch will change as you turn the wheel. Last time one my mine failed it sounded like the passenger side but it was actually the driver side. You can also fee friction in the hub if you rotate it with the wheel off.

Thats what mine are doing now..... add me to the list.

 

[2018ExpyPlatinum]

How much does that repair cost? Just so I can brace myself.

 

[ColoradoJon]

$2618 last week. Covered by warranty. I think you can do it yourself for under 1k or less if you do the bearings and not the assembly. Also consider additional damage internally. I think there are some potential issues with drive shaft or internal to differential?

 

[JasonH]

How much does that repair cost? Just so I can brace myself.

Not sure, I did my own. It's not terribly difficult. The only thing is that the wheel hub can get seized in place, but there's a nifty trick for pressing it out that works well using some hardened nuts and bolts. Watch some YouTube videos. Any competent shop should be able to quote it without seeing it.

 

[spmarrow]

Ok y'all, it seems easy enough to change the entire hub assembly however, mine wasn't making any noise. What I do have though is a completely mangled outer bearing. I pulled the wheel off to get a flat tire fixed and several small ball bearings fell out. You could imagine my surprise as I have never seen this before. The inner bearing seems fine but the outer bearing is non-existent. It looks like it is held in with a snap ring that can be easily removed. Has anyone ever actually just removed the outer bearing and replaced it? I know this seems like a shortcut but I am wanting to do this as a temporary fix so I can drive it to the dealership and have it replaced under warranty. I noticed the dust cover was missing too. After looking at the other side (driver's side) the outer bearing looks exactly like a skateboard wheel bearing. I can't imagine Ford using something as cheap as that but I guess I have seen stranger things. I mean, I have never seen ball bearings bouncing out after taking off a wheel either so....

Thanks y'all.

2018 Expedition Limited Max 4WD.