Front Hub Bearings Anyone ?

kdj14 · May 8, 2014

Yesterday I was having a slow day at work and decided to put my truck up on the lift to look at those tranny lines everyone is so worried about. My DC only has 4000 miles or so and the lines are fine... but I did happen to notice that the right front hub has slung some grease out onto the steering knuckle. So correct me if I'm wrong but it's always been my understanding that when a sealed bearing starts loosing grease that it's probably not long for this life. After all, if the grease can get out, water and road grime can get in.

So my question is... Has anyone had to have one replaced yet for the same reason? What's the dealers stance on it leaking grease? I typically don't worry about this condition on customers vehicles cause I don't believe in selling them something they don't really need (yet). If it hasn't started making noise it's still good enough for me... but hey, I'm not the one who would be buying this one if it should be replaced under warrantee.

In another month or two I'll be due for service and I'll bring it up then but I'm just curious if anyone else has had issues with this on their 14.

fondupot · May 8, 2014

show some pics. and check all the boots on the CV axles, ball joints and tie rods. If one is ruptured and the grease is flung out, you should replace that boot asap.

tbarn · May 8, 2014

Yesterday I was having a slow day at work and decided to put my truck up on the lift to look at those tranny lines everyone is so worried about. My DC only has 4000 miles or so and the lines are fine... but I did happen to notice that the right front hub has slung some grease out onto the steering knuckle. So correct me if I'm wrong but it's always been my understanding that when a sealed bearing starts loosing grease that it's probably not long for this life. After all, if the grease can get out, water and road grime can get in.

So my question is... Has anyone had to have one replaced yet for the same reason? What's the dealers stance on it leaking grease? I typically don't worry about this condition on customers vehicles cause I don't believe in selling them something they don't really need (yet). If it hasn't started making noise it's still good enough for me... but hey, I'm not the one who would be buying this one if it should be replaced under warrantee.

In another month or two I'll be due for service and I'll bring it up then but I'm just curious if anyone else has had issues with this on their 14.

Really? As long as some company is paying, then it is bad? But not if you have to pay? I will give you this though, if it is leaking it should be replaced. But if you read a lot on this forum you will see that dealers vary greatly on how things should be done and what is covered or not. And no, have not seen a bad hub yet.

kdj14 · May 9, 2014

Really? As long as some company is paying, then it is bad? But not if you have to pay? I will give you this though, if it is leaking it should be replaced. But if you read a lot on this forum you will see that dealers vary greatly on how things should be done and what is covered or not. And no, have not seen a bad hub yet.

Technically it's not bad but depending on driving conditions it will be bad sooner or later. I've seen hubs like this last a couple years and I've seen them drop like flies on trucks with big mud tires . But to answer the question, Yes. As long as I paid for a new truck "with a warrantee" it's more of an issue than if it were coming out of my pocket. In my mind I've already paid for it. Same applies to brakes, a lot of people wouldn't replace pads with 20% wear just because they hear an occasional squeal, but under warrantee it's another story.

pm26 · May 9, 2014

I have seen grease slung out ot torn CV boots, but not bearings. I observed slight seapage of grease from bearings that were perhaps overgreased. If this is a sealed bearing, then grease should not come out unless someone forgot to put a seal in that bearing. Is your truck a 4 WD with CV axles in the front? If yes, check the CV boots carefully. Boots are full of grease and even a slight tear or a small hole will cause the grease to be slung out as the axles rotate.

And if the grease is actually coming out of the hub bearing, then yes, it should be promptly taken care of.

newdude · May 9, 2014

Normal concern. There is a PI for 2007-2013 trucks that matches what you see on your truck.

PIT3078F

The factory grease fill of the front bearing/hub assembly exceeds the amount of grease that is required for adequate bearing lubrication throughout the life of the vehicle. A portion of the grease will purge through the self-venting bearing seals for the initial drive period (a few thousand miles/kilometers) and helps to form an additional barrier to block contamination of the bearing. This additional barrier is called a "grease dam".