How to replace the vacuum hub actuator 2009-2014 Ford F-150
To replace the vacuum hub actuator on your F-150 just follow the steps. You’ll need to lift the vehicle, remove the different parts to access the hub lock, remove the hub lock actuator as well as carry out a few other steps. You can carry out this tutorial of 15 chapters in 120 minutes. Take your 15 mm socket and your torque wrench and let’s get started!
Duration
120 minutes
Number of steps
15
Difficulty out of 5
4
Average savings
$200
Parts You Will Need
Tools You Will Need
Step-by-Step Installation
Chapter 1:
Lift the vehicle
Step 1/4
Turn your engine off and set the parking brake.
Chapter 1:
Step 2/4
Loosen the stud bolts on the front wheels.
Chapter 1:
Step 3/4
Lift the front of your vehicle. Place the vehicle on the jack stands.
Chapter 1:
Step 4/4
Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!
Chapter 2:
Loosen the wheel hub nut
Step 1/2
Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the nut cover from the hub.
Chapter 2:
Step 2/2
Then, locking the hub rotation with a crowbar, unscrew the hub nut using a ratchet and a 15mm socket.
Chapter 3:
Measure
Step 1/1
To ensure that the part is properly installed during reassembly, measure the distance between the end of the CV Axle thread and the hub with a calliper.
Chapter 4:
Set up
Step 1/3
Using a fork, disconnect the ABS sensor cable from the body.
Chapter 4:
Step 2/3
Then disconnect it from the brake hose.
Chapter 4:
Step 3/3
Finally, using a ratchet and a 10 mm socket, unscrew the fixing screw from the brake hose.
Chapter 5:
Remove the CV Axle
Step 1/7
Using a breaker bar and a 22mm socket, loosen the nut on the upper control arm ball joint and unscrew the nut a few threads with a ratchet.
Chapter 5:
Step 2/7
Turn the disk outwards, this will facilitate the following steps. It is now time to remove the outer tie rod from the knuckle. Knock on the knuckle to separate the ball joint from the upper control arm.
Chapter 5:
Step 3/7
To prevent the wheel knuckle unit from falling off, lift the front axle slightly with a jack while being supported by the lower control arm.
Chapter 5:
Step 4/7
Then finish unscrewing the upper control arm ball joint.
Chapter 5:
Step 5/7
Lower the wheel knuckle slightly with the jack to remove the ball joint, and create the space needed to remove the CV Axle. Then shift the whole.
Chapter 5:
Step 6/7
Disconnect the vacuum lines.
Chapter 5:
Step 7/7
Tilt the wheel knuckle to remove the CV Axle.
Chapter 6:
Remove the Hub lock actuator
Step 1/4
You can now see the vacuum hub actuator.
Chapter 6:
Step 2/4
Using a ratchet and an 8mm socket, unscrew the 3 screws maintaining the vacuum hub actuator.
Chapter 6:
Step 3/4
Using a large flathead screwdriver, pry it out of its slot.
Chapter 6:
Step 4/4
You can now pull the CV Axle out of the hub and remove the vacuum hub actuator.
Chapter 7:
Clean the Hub lock + Greasing
Step 1/3
Protect the CV Axle insertion slot near the contact portion between the hub and the vacuum hub actuator.
Chapter 7:
Step 2/3
Then clean the impurities with a screwdriver.
Chapter 7:
Step 3/3
Apply grease to the wheel hub.
Chapter 8:
How does a Hub lock work ?
Step 1/3
In these images you can see how the vacuum hub actuator operates.
Chapter 8:
Step 2/3
When your vehicle is in RWD mode, the vehicle’s vacuum pump operates and the vacuum hub actuator gear is drawn in, effectively disengaging the hub bearing transmission.
Chapter 8:
Step 3/3
When the vehicle is in 4WD mode, the vacuum is switched off, the vacuum hub actuator switches on and the transmission connects to the wheel hub.
Chapter 9:
Install the new Hub lock
Step 1/3
Take the new hub actuator. Insert the CV Axle through the vacuum hub actuator, then position the hub actuator in its slot.
Chapter 9:
Step 2/3
Then, screw back the 3 hub actuator retaining screws.
Chapter 9:
Step 3/3
Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Chapter 10:
Reinstall the CV axle in the wheel hub
Step 1/4
Remove the jack so you can manipulate the whole.
Chapter 10:
Step 2/4
Insert the CV Axle into the hub by rotating it to fit into the wheel hub assembly.
Chapter 10:
Step 3/4
Reinsert the upper control arm ball joint into the wheel knuckle.
Chapter 10:
Step 4/4
Loosely screw the nut back on to hold it together.
Chapter 11:
Put the outer tie rod back
Step 1/4
Put the outer tie rod back in place.
Chapter 11:
Step 2/4
Then screw it back on.
Chapter 11:
Step 3/4
Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Chapter 11:
Step 4/4
Complete the tightening of the upper control arm ball joint with a torque wrench.
Chapter 12:
Put the different parts back in place
Step 1/3
You can now reconnect the vacuum hoses.
Chapter 12:
Step 2/3
Screw the brake hose mounting bracket back on.
Chapter 12:
Step 3/3
Replace the ABS sensor cable and clip it back into its slots.
Chapter 13:
Measure
Step 1/1
You can verify the previously measured distance to make sure that the item has been correctly reassembled.
Chapter 14:
Screw the wheel hub back
Step 1/3
Replace the hub nut.
Chapter 14:
Step 2/3
Then, while blocking the rotation of the hub with a crowbar, screw it back on. Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Chapter 14:
Step 3/3
Put the cover back on the nut.
Chapter 15:
Put the vehicle back on the ground
Step 1/3
Then, you will be able to put the wheels back on your vehicle.
Chapter 15:
Step 2/3
Put the car back on the ground and block the wheels properly.
Chapter 15:
Step 3/3
Operation completed!
