Crap! whats wrong with my axle?

[rasputinlv]

Guys! This is scary! My wife was driving with the baby in the car and she felt she lost brakes, but she made home since it was 1/2 mile to go.
I took of the wheel and freeking end piece with 5 bolts for disk was just dangling and looked like it broke of or something. I have no idea what happined. Please take a look at the picture and please tell me what happined and how do I fix it.
before it happined front end was making grinding noise, on the top of that ABS light was on, plus 4X4 High light was coming on and off.
I have 04 limited edition with 80K on it.
Thanks guys an advance.
Picture here:
http://members.cox.net/rasputinlv/explorer broken axel 001.jpg

 

[IZwack]

Yeah that grinding noise should have indicated that its time to replace the front wheel bearing. But now you may be paying more if any of the brake components were damaged/bent when the unitary bearing came apart.

 

[waskly]

Guys! This is scary! My wife was driving with the baby in the car and she felt she lost brakes, but she made home since it was 1/2 mile to go.
I took of the wheel and freeking end piece with 5 bolts for disk was just dangling and looked like it broke of or something. I have no idea what happined. Please take a look at the picture and please tell me what happined and how do I fix it.
before it happined front end was making grinding noise, on the top of that ABS light was on, plus 4X4 High light was coming on and off.
I have 04 limited edition with 80K on it.
Thanks guys an advance.
Picture here:
http://members.cox.net/rasputinlv/explorer broken axel 001.jpg

the wheel bearing broke, the new bearing assembly comes with a speed sensor.

its 3 bolts holding it in and 1 axle nut.

the noise you heard was the bearing going bad.

90% the brakes failed due to the weight of the vehicle on the caliper and squeezing the pads in.

i would get a new hub assembly, install it, pump the breaks up and see if you have a pedal.

 

[rasputinlv]

Thank you guys for help.
Off to ford tomorrow.
I also just read article about it, I'm "looking forward to it".
My pads looked fine, I installed them two month ago, rotor is messed up.
Shell I do both wheels then?
Thanks again.

 

[specialized7]

dont get them bearings from ford, if the other side is in good shape i would just leave it.
Also how long did you drive it while it was grinding? mine was grinding and i had to go on a roadtrip with it, come time to change it the cv splines were fused to the bearing, forcing me to pull the whole front knuckle off.

 

[rasputinlv]

Crap! I was driving like that for about 8 months. Also made 1200 miles trip.
Which ones shell I get then?
Thanks for help.

 

[my pos mounty]

A Timken bearing would be best, in my opinion.
Call around the auto parts store near you, I am sure there is at least one that stocks them.

 

[BrianDye]

A Timken bearing would be best, in my opinion.
Call around the auto parts store near you, I am sure there is at least one that stocks them.

I was gonna do my front bearings on my 92 with the Timken's from Autozone, I think total for all I needed for the 2 front wheels was about 55$ with a tub of the lube or grease (I dont remember)


I guarantee if you took it to ford you'd probably spend close to $700-1000

Im not a good mechanic by any means, but with writeups on the site, and common knowledge, I was pretty confident man i'd give it a shot yourself!

 

[Paraphoe]

Yea, don't bring it to the Stealership. It's not too difficult a job. It'll be well worth all the money you'll save.

 

[rasputinlv]

Oh no, I'm not taking it there for repiar. I'll do it myself. Write ups are great on this forum!
Local dealership sells them for internet price of $160. But I don't know if I should trust ford quality anymore. Is timken good stuff?
I just don't get it how is it possible one of the main part brakes just from my wifes driving on the streets. This vehicle was made to go off road? I guess I'm just upset.
Thanks guys for your help.I'll be doing it tonight after work, if i get part.

 

[my pos mounty]

Timken bearings are arguably the best ones out there.

It is a wear item, you have over 80K miles on a non-greasable sealed bearing. That isn't too bad.

 

[Paraphoe]

It is a wear item, you have over 80K miles on a non-greasable sealed bearing. That isn't too bad.

Especially if you drove on it while it was making grinding noises for 8 months....

 

[jrford]

read the sticky on front wheel bearings. i just bought mine from o'reileys(sp?) if your going to pay $160 then i'd pay the extra $30 and get the ones with 'Timken' stamped on the seal. . . i bought the cheap fleabay, Chinese version for $100 (now they look like $60) but i had to replace it at 25K later and it lasted two years. What was interesting was the grease had turned from blue to brown, indicating to me the seal leaks. .

 

[rasputinlv]

Well, i ended up getting oem one from ford. But project was no go, i couldn't find long 29mm socket! no sears, no homedepot, no lowe's, crap!
But I got wrench and 15mm swivel socket, looks like it should do it for those 3 bolts.
I did read sticky! It's great!
thanks guys.

 

[my pos mounty]

Try an auto parts store to find that socket.
I got mine at a NAPA

 

[rasputinlv]

Yep, Autozone had it, and they call it axel nut socket.
Took whole thing off. Couldn't use stupid 3 jaw puller, ended up using hummer. I hope I didn't damage anything. Some metal rings fell out when I pull assembly off.
My question is, how do I make sure new thing goes on all the way, because shaft itself is not fixed or anything, or nut will pull it togehter?
Also there is some silicon on it, do I need to put any somehwere?
thanks guys!

 

[Asmegin]

The three bolts/axle nut will pull the hub tight.

Also, the Ford instructions say to apply gasket maker, but a lot of people on this forum skipped that step. Don't think it's necessary...but I put it on anyways.

 

[IZwack]

The axle shaft isn't fixed during reassembly but is locked into position once the large wheel bearing nut is tightened down. The combination of the axle shaft and the nut squeezes the bearings together - since the bearings would eventually fall apart if they are not clamped together.

 

[rasputinlv]

Ok, everything is back together, car drives nicely.
I guess I need to get ready for other side.
Thanks guys for your help.