Wheel Bearing - Press-In Front

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of a press-in front wheel bearing on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost V6 RWD, requiring removal of the hub assembly and hydraulic pressing of the bearing.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wheel bearing (press-in type) × 1 — Use OEM specification for 2015-2020 F-150
• Wheel bearing snap ring (if equipped) × 1 — Verify presence during disassembly
• Hub seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Brake parts cleaner × 1 — Aerosol can
• High-temperature bearing grease × 1 — Multi-purpose lithium or synthetic

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground but do not remove
3. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at frame rails
4. Remove wheel completely
5. Spray all fasteners to be removed with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the two brake caliper mounting bolts and slide caliper off rotor. Support caliper with wire or bungee cord - do not hang by brake hose. Remove caliper bracket bolts and remove bracket. Slide brake rotor off hub. If rotor is stuck, use rotor removal screws if equipped or tap with rubber mallet.
2. 2

   Disconnect ABS sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor on the back of the knuckle. Disconnect the electrical connector by pressing the release tab. Remove the ABS sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract the sensor from the knuckle bore. Set aside in clean location to prevent contamination.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove hub retaining bolts
   From the backside of the knuckle, locate the four hub retaining bolts that secure the hub to the knuckle. These bolts pass through from the back and thread into the hub flange. Use a breaker bar to break loose, then remove all four bolts completely. The hub assembly may be tight in the bearing bore.
   Torque spec

   Hub Bolts117 Nm (86 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Separate hub from knuckle
   With all four bolts removed, the hub should pull out of the bearing. If stuck, use a soft-faced mallet to tap the hub out from behind. Do not pry against the ABS tone ring. Once loose, pull hub assembly straight out. Inspect hub for wear on the bearing contact surfaces - replace if grooved or damaged.
5. 5

   Remove steering knuckle from vehicle
   Disconnect the outer tie rod end using a ball joint separator. Remove the upper and lower ball joint pinch bolts or retaining nuts (configuration varies by suspension package). Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to separate ball joints from knuckle. Support knuckle and remove from vehicle. Place on clean workbench for bearing removal.
   ⚠Ball joint separators can release suddenly. Keep hands clear of pinch points.
6. 6

   Remove bearing snap ring
   Clean the inside of the knuckle bore thoroughly. Locate the bearing retaining snap ring on the inner (back) side of the knuckle. Use snap ring pliers to compress and remove the snap ring. Inspect snap ring for damage - replace if bent or worn. Store in clean location for comparison with new bearing hardware.
7. 7

   Press out old bearing
   Position the knuckle on the hydraulic press bed with proper support under the knuckle casting - do not support on the bearing race. Select a press adapter that contacts only the outer bearing race, not the knuckle bore. Center the adapter and apply steady pressure to press the bearing out. The bearing should move smoothly - if excessive force is required, verify adapter alignment. Remove bearing and inner snap ring if present.
   ⚠️Wear safety glasses during all pressing operations. Bearing components can fracture under pressure.
   ⚠Support knuckle only on casting surfaces, never on machined bearing bore surfaces which can be damaged.
8. 8

   Clean and inspect knuckle bore
   Thoroughly clean the bearing bore in the knuckle using parts cleaner and wire brush. Remove all old grease, rust, and debris. Inspect bore for cracks, scoring, or damage. Check bore diameter for out-of-round condition if tools are available. Clean the snap ring grooves completely. The bore must be completely clean and dry before new bearing installation.
9. 9

   Prepare new bearing for installation
   Remove new bearing from packaging and verify correct part number. Compare dimensions with old bearing. Check that new snap ring(s) are included. Apply a light coat of clean engine oil or assembly lubricant to the outer race of the new bearing. Do not pack bearing with grease unless specifically required by manufacturer - most are sealed units.
10. 10

    Press in new bearing
    Position knuckle on press bed with proper support under the casting. Align new bearing squarely in the bore - use a centering pilot if available. Select press adapter that contacts only the outer bearing race. Apply steady, even pressure. The bearing should press in smoothly and seat fully against the snap ring groove or internal stop. Do not exceed 10 tons of force - if binding occurs, stop and check alignment.
    ⚠Bearing must be pressed in perfectly square to the bore. Any cocking or misalignment will cause premature failure.
    ⚠Press only on the outer race when installing. Pressing on the inner race or balls will damage the bearing.
11. 11

    Install bearing snap ring
    Install the new bearing retaining snap ring in the groove. Ensure snap ring is fully seated in the groove around its entire circumference. Pull on bearing to verify it is properly retained and cannot move axially in the bore.
12. 12

    Install hub seal and reinstall knuckle
    Install new hub seal in the knuckle if equipped, pressing it squarely into place with appropriate driver. Reinstall the knuckle assembly to the vehicle, connecting upper and lower ball joints and torquing fasteners per manufacturer specifications. Reconnect outer tie rod end and torque to specification. Ensure all suspension connections are secure.
13. 13

    Install hub assembly
    Apply light coat of anti-seize to the hub pilot diameter. Align hub with bearing inner race and press or tap hub into place using a hub installation tool or appropriately sized driver that contacts only the inner race. Hub should seat fully with even pressure. Install the four hub retaining bolts from the back of the knuckle and torque in a star pattern.
    ⚠When seating hub, drive only on the inner race, not the hub flange, to avoid bearing damage.
    Torque spec

    Hub Bolts117 Nm (86 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall ABS sensor
    Clean the ABS sensor bore and sensor tip with brake cleaner. Inspect sensor tip for damage. Apply light coat of dielectric grease to sensor O-ring. Install sensor into knuckle bore and install mounting bolt. Reconnect electrical connector ensuring it clicks fully into place.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall brake components and wheel
    Slide brake rotor onto hub. Install caliper bracket and torque bolts to specification. Install brake caliper and torque mounting bolts. Install wheel and hand-thread lug nuts. Lower vehicle until tire just contacts ground. Torque lug nuts in star pattern. Lower vehicle completely and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to specification in the order listed in the steps
2. Ensure ABS sensor connector is fully seated and locked
3. Verify brake caliper mounting bolts are tight and caliper moves freely on slides
4. Double-check that wheel lug nuts are torqued in proper star pattern

Verification

• Rotate the wheel by hand - it should spin freely with no binding, grinding, or roughness
• Check for any axial play by grasping tire at top and bottom and attempting to rock it - there should be no perceptible movement
• Start vehicle and verify ABS warning light extinguishes after initial bulb check
• Test drive at low speed in safe area and verify no noise, vibration, or pulling
• After test drive, re-torque wheel lug nuts to specification
• Road test at highway speed to verify no vibration or noise from wheel bearing area
• Scan for ABS codes using diagnostic scanner - there should be no wheel speed sensor faults

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