2011 Ford Ranger wheel bearing

[GoldenLakePete]

My Ranger has been "wobbling" badly at highway speeds - even on good new pavement. I called the Ford dealer this morning and was told that Rangers are "prone" to wheel bearing problems and that the wheel could fall off! I was warned not to drive it.

The earliest appointment I could get is next Wednesday the 29th.

Has anyone heard of this problem with Rangers? Should I be scared to drive the truck?

[last5oh_302]

First I've heard of this.
I wouldn't go far if the bearing is on it's way out. You'll usually start hearing a humming noise when the bearing is going, or a hum when you steer left or right and put pressure on the bearing. If your truck is wobbling then I definitely wouldn't drive it and if it is the bearing it's beyond worn.
If it's just a simple bearing (if your ranger is a 4x4 and its the front bearing you're probably looking at replacing entire hub) take it somewhere else so they can order the part and get it done now, unless you have warranty on it.

[GoldenLakePete]

Thanks, Rick. It is a 2 wheel drive. The closest other repair shop is also booked up - summer holidays.

[mooboy76]

Did a wheel throw a balance weight? I had that happen before. Definitely caused a wobble!

I should add that my ranger ate u-joints for breakfast, but the front bearings did get done a few times in its life. I don't like to drive far on the highway with ANY loose front suspension.

[Marker]

Did a wheel throw a balance weight? I had that happen before. Definitely caused a wobble!

I should add that my ranger ate u-joints for breakfast, but the front bearings did get done a few times in its life. I don't like to drive far on the highway with ANY loose front suspension.

^^ good point mooboy, a vibrating wheel could be the result of many factors. Since this is happening on the highway you may just have bad shocks which are causing a speed wobble.

A quick and easy way to check the bearings is to grasp the top of the tire with both hands and try to forcefully move in and out (ie towards the truck and away from the truck), you may feel a small amount of play but not much.

[topher]

Not hard to change a wheel bearing yourself...
Probably save yourself $300 too

[last5oh_302]

I just asked my mechanic buddy and he knows about this issue with Rangers and bearings and apparently it has been an issue. Hmm.

[Wahoo]

A quick and easy way to check the bearings is to grasp the top of the tire with both hands and try to forcefully move in and out (ie towards the truck and away from the truck), you may feel a small amount of play but not much.

x2 Yeah, jack it up and test the thing. You can compare it to the 'good side' to be certain.

[dutchhunter]

yes I have heard of it as well ,if you can jack the wheel up and try to move it you will feel it very quike if it is w wheel bearing just lift up and down on the wheel ..Dutch

[JoePa]

Pete - jack the front up and like the guys said - see if you can move the wheel back and forth - and as suggested see how it compares with the good wheel - also a lot of times you can heard a growling noise when you spin the wheel - if it were me I'd probably change it myself - google - wheel bearing replacement on ranger - and see how its done - its easy enough if you feel like doing it - doesn't take a lot of tools to complete the job - whenever I bought a vehicle I use to get the shop manual for the vehicle but they go kinda expensive so now I get a Haynes manual for the vehicle - they don't cost much and are really a help if you want to do things on your vehicle - you can get one that just covers the particular vehicle that you have - if you find that there is movement when you check the wheel I don't think you want to drive it around - good luck