2002 Mercury Mountaineer problem

[phoenix12321]

I have a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer AWD limited edition with the 4.6L V8. I am hearing a humming noise from the front drivers side with a slight vibration when i'm driving on the highway. Is that a sign of a bad wheel bearing? Do I have to replace just the wheel bearings or is it more complicated than that? Also what is the usual price for replacing that part? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[avritch]

I replaced both my fronts when they started getting pretty loud. The parts cost apx $130 per side from autozone (or you can get Ford OEM for apx $175). They're not too hard to replace, but I'll bet the dealer whacks at least $150 to $200 labor for each side. I took me about an hour each. You'll need a large deep socket for the wheel nut and a torque wrench (no other special tools are required).

The basic procedure is as follows:
#1 Remove tire
#2 Remove brake assembly and rotor (4 bolts)
#3 Remove big wheel bearing nut
#4 Remove Bearing (3 bolts) - these are little hard to get to, a universal socket helps

The one trick I learned is that you can push the half shaft back into the hub an inch or so. This gives you that little extra clearance you need to get a socket on the bearing nuts.

The wheel bearings have the ABS wheel speed sensor built in. Most new bearing come with a new sensor ... you simply unplug the old sensor when removing the old bearing and plug in the new sensor (the cable routes from the bearing to the fender wall under the hood.)

All the literature says to be very careful to retorque the wheel nut to the appropriate setting.

If you search, you may find a detailed procedure on this forum.

 

[phoenix12321]

Thanks for the info!! I do have the tools necessary so I should be able to get this done on the weekend. Thanks again!!

 

[fordman3]

I've always been told (and unfortunately been fooled for some pretty big $$ if it's true) that on a 4WD/AWD vehicle, you can't just replace the front wheel bearings, you have to replace the whole hub assembly. I've had this done on my '99 Explorer 5.0 AWD twice, on the same side. I just took somebody's word for it. I'd never had a 4WD before, so I didn't know. I could replace the front wheel bearings on my '98 F150 2WD like changing oil. I now also have an '05 Mountaineer AWD that some day will have the same problem, and I would love to know that I could fix it myself without the cost of a hub assembly. Was I taken?

 

[fusseli]

It does sound like it could be wheel bearings, what mileage do you have on that? I don't think it's possible to replace the front wheel bearings without doing the entire hub assembly? The readily available Ford hub kit is probably a pretty good indicator to do the whole hub, it also comes with new hub bolts and caliper bolts.

I think the rear bearings can be done by being pressed out and don't require a new hub, could be wrong though. Haven't done a rear yet.

I replaced both my fronts when they started getting pretty loud. The parts cost apx $130 per side from autozone (or you can get Ford OEM for apx $175). They're not too hard to replace, but I'll bet the dealer whacks at least $150 to $200 labor for each side. I took me about an hour each. You'll need a large deep socket for the wheel nut and a torque wrench (no other special tools are required).

The basic procedure is as follows:
#1 Remove tire
#2 Remove brake assembly and rotor (4 bolts)
#3 Remove big wheel bearing nut
#4 Remove Bearing (3 bolts) - these are little hard to get to, a universal socket helps

The one trick I learned is that you can push the half shaft back into the hub an inch or so. This gives you that little extra clearance you need to get a socket on the bearing nuts.

The wheel bearings have the ABS wheel speed sensor built in. Most new bearing come with a new sensor ... you simply unplug the old sensor when removing the old bearing and plug in the new sensor (the cable routes from the bearing to the fender wall under the hood.)

All the literature says to be very careful to retorque the wheel nut to the appropriate setting.

If you search, you may find a detailed procedure on this forum.

It's also a good tip to break the lug nuts and axle nut loose before you jack the vehicle off the ground. And ya, there's a dedicated thread for front bearings.