Can I Grease My Ford Wheel Hub Bearings?

If you hear an unusual sound coming from your wheels, you may think that a quick squirt with a grease gun can get things sorted. Many years ago, packing wheel bearings with fresh grease was a standard part of vehicle maintenance, and it was good practice to do this every few thousand miles. However, for modern Ford owners, the answer is a bit more complicated than it used to be.

What is Causing That Low-Pitched Noise?

If you’re a Ford owner who has been hearing a mysterious low-pitched roaring or growling sound coming from your wheels, then there could be a couple of reasons why this is happening.

If the noise typically becomes more noticeable at higher speeds and, crucially, changes in pitch or volume when you turn the steering wheel, the wheel bearings may be the cause. A failing bearing can lead to uneven tire wear, vibration, and, in extreme cases, the wheel seizing or detaching. Clearly, getting it fixed should be a high priority.

Can I Grease the Wheel Bearing Hub?

The short answer for most modern Ford vehicles is no. Most late-model Fords use hub assemblies where the bearing is sealed inside a metal housing at the factory. These are lubed for life, meaning they are not designed to be serviced or disassembled.

• Attempting to force grease into a sealed unit is ineffective and can damage the internal seals.
• Modern hubs have the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) sensor built directly into the assembly, which should not be tampered with.
• If you try to disassemble the unit to grease it, you risk damaging these sensitive electronics. This will cause your ABS light to come on - and stay on - until the entire unit is replaced.

How Much Does a Wheel Hub Assembly Cost?

Because modern wheel bearings are typically integrated into a complete hub assembly, it is not possible to replace just the bearings. In modern vehicles, a full assembly includes the hub, bearings, seals, and often the ABS speed sensor and mounting flange.

• Depending on your Ford model, a genuine Motorcraft wheel hub assembly typically costs under $500.
• Buying from your local dealer at retail prices can significantly increase these costs. By buying your Ford parts online, you can often save big over MSRP.

OEM vs. Aftermarket: While cheap aftermarket hubs exist, they often lack the durability of OEM Ford parts. Genuine Motorcraft assemblies are built to your vehicle's exact specifications, ensuring the ABS sensor communicates correctly with your Ford's computer. The small savings you get when buying generic, aftermarket parts can cost you a lot in reliability and safety in the long run.

Where Should I Buy a Replacement Wheel Hub Assembly?

When it comes to something as vital as wheel bearing and hub assemblies, you shouldn't settle for generic parts from an aftermarket supplier. Blue Springs Ford Parts only sells genuine parts at wholesale prices, so you get the perfect part at a price often only slightly more than a non-genuine component.

Above is a table of common Ford wheel hub assemblies available at Blue Springs Ford Parts. These are all genuine OEM parts offered at wholesale prices, ensuring a perfect fit and long-term reliability for your vehicle.

Can I Replace a Wheel Hub Assembly Myself?

As long as you have some experience with brake repairs, replacing a wheel hub assembly is a manageable DIY project. Since you are replacing the entire unit rather than pressing out old bearings, the job is much cleaner and more straightforward.

By purchasing the part from Blue Springs Ford Parts, you’re already saving a significant amount of money. If you don't want to do the replacement yourself, you can still save big by ordering the part online and having a trusted mechanic install it.

Most shops are happy to install customer-supplied OEM parts, saving you the shop markup on the hardware. It is always advisable to replace wheel hub bearings in pairs to save on labor and avoid having to replace the other side a few months later.

Trust Blue Springs Ford Parts for OEM Hub Components

While you can't grease modern Ford wheel bearings, replacing a noisy hub is far simpler than you may think, and by choosing Blue Springs Ford Parts, you can save a bundle on the OEM replacement parts. Order from Blue Springs Ford Parts to get:

• Guaranteed Fitment: Use our VIN search to ensure you get the exact hub for your specific Ford year and model.
• Fast Shipping: We get your parts out of the warehouse and to your door quickly so you can get back on the road.
• Expert Support: Our team knows Ford vehicles inside and out.
• Great Warranty: Benefit from Ford’s 12 month, 12,000-mile genuine replacement parts warranty.

Ignoring a noisy bearing will only lead to more expensive repairs down the road, so get your replacement parts today!