4wd front wheel bearings-when do they fail on average?

[kmartin]

I have a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4wd with 76600 miles on it. It started making a humming sound at the front wheel. The humming sound goes with the revolution of the wheel. Could this be a wheel bearing going bad? This early in mileage? Is that when most them start failing? Obviously, Ford apparently don't have a good wheel bearing for this vehicle. Any aftermarket suggestions?

 

[OffTrac]

My 2001 with 113k miles is on originals with no problem so far and I'm on 35" tires and steel wheels, often heavily used.

Sent from my Galaxy S5 using Forum Runner

 

[mustang6878]

My right front started humming around 100 k. I replaced BOTH sides with Timkin units ordered from Rock Auto. If your front end, ( upper& lower ball joints, tie rods, tie rod ends, idler arms, shocks, brakes & calipers etc) shows wear or needs work, now would be the time to do those too, as long as they will be readily accessable or you will be removing them to get at the wheel bearing.

 

[corkey]

i know it's not a Trac, but my 96 xl with lift and 35's went to over 400,000 kilometers and i never put a wheel bearing in it, when i got it , it had 183,000 km on it,,
it had Timken bearings in it ,,,

 

[kmartin]

My right front started humming around 100 k. I replaced BOTH sides with Timkin units ordered from Rock Auto. If your front end, ( upper& lower ball joints, tie rods, tie rod ends, idler arms, shocks, brakes & calipers etc) shows wear or needs work, now would be the time to do those too, as long as they will be readily accessable or you will be removing them to get at the wheel bearing.

Since yours is 1 year older, yours appears to be probably the loses to mine. Unfortunately, I have 76000 miles on it and its starting to hum. I don't know what it is with it lately, my hardly used left rear power windows failed to work. I had the front brake pads and rotors replaced a month ago, then the humming started appearing, still passed PA inspection a week later. I thought it was doing pretty good for us, now its living up to its name, FORD=Fix Or Repair Daily

 

[Demo1986]

My hubs went out around 55k and had them replaced. Always replace them with American parts, at least the drive terrain.

Like any car it's a hit or miss. Some go a long time without issues and some need parts replacement before 100k.

 

[gamikzone]

my wheel bearings were bad when i purchased mine, and i had 119k miles on it. its an 05

 

[kmartin]

My hubs went out around 55k and had them replaced. Always replace them with American parts, at least the drive terrain.

Like any car it's a hit or miss. Some go a long time without issues and some need parts replacement before 100k.

So which one are american made?

 

[mustang6878]

I always used Timkin bearings for years. I think they are made in Canton, Ohio. I never had one fail after replacing OEM's using Timkins. They are stronger than garlic breath..

 

[JayM]

Just replaced my front passenger side at the dealer. Spent almost $600 to get it done. 68000 miles on the clock, no suspension mods. Just had brakes done last year.

 

[OffTrac]

Just replaced my front passenger side at the dealer. Spent almost $600 to get it done. 68000 miles on the clock, no suspension mods. Just had brakes done last year.

Ouch, way more expensive than for a 1st Gen ST or 2nd Gen Ex.

 

[EvinH]

I had to replace one of the OE ones (pass side) a few months after I bought mine and it had 121K on it. Then a short time later I started having issues with the ABS kicking in during low speed stopping. I recently changed out both, one OE and one Reman at 140K. Do yourself a favor and replace both if that is your problem.

 

[kmartin]

I just jack up my sport trac. I had no play in the wheel. The 4wd shaft was turning. Is that normal? My newly installed brake pads and rotors were rubbing lightly against each other at a certain spot in the rotation of the wheel.