front bearings

[fordexplorerdude97]

Hey guys,

couple of days a go I heard a sound from the front driver side wheel, I can only hear it when I go very slow with the windows down, so i decided to take it to a shop, so they can check. After I went in the shop me and the mechanic put the car up on the jack and the wheel that makes the noise is kinda loose like I can move it about half a centimeter. it feels like the bolts are loose, even tho they are not. Anyways he told me its the bearings and it will cost about $550 to fix !
Is this true? I'm very nervous right now. Hopefully its not true, but please give me some advice about this. By the way the car is a 97 4X4 Explorer XLT

 

['97 V8]

Its true and not...but mostly not.

It is your bearings. They sell for 170 at napa or autozone, and around 75 on ebay. It takes about 30 minutes to replace them. 550 however is grossly overpriced to repair it.(beats good years price of 800)

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165429&highlight=hub+assembly+replacement

 

[daffy]

The front wheel bearings come on a 4x4 in an assembly called a front wheel hub (do searches), that are about $190, and considering it takes most novices less than an afternoon to replace one, the labor rate would seem a bit high.

I came up with this thread, seems dead on:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?goto=lastpost&t=165429

 

[fordexplorerdude97]

Thanks a lot guys, I'm releaved

One last question, My ABS light came on about 2 weeks a go can it be related to this? and how bad is it to drive with my bearings? should I not drive it at all or a bid can be fine?

Thanks a bunch

 

[fordexplorerdude97]

sorry about the double post

 

['97 V8]

Yes, its becuase of that. Mine did the exact same thing till it exploded on the highway.

 

[fordexplorerdude97]

I think I know why that happened to my bearings, one day when it was snowing hard, I started doing stupid things , that got my car out of control and I hit this bing pile of mud at 30 MPH, there is no physical damage at all. Anyways at the shop I checked all the 4 wheels, the front driver side one was the bad one, but both of the back wheels move very very very slightly like about a millimeter is that normal? or does that mean I have to change the bearings on the back too?

 

[95exploderboy]

I think I know why that happened to my bearings, one day when it was snowing hard, I started doing stupid things , that got my car out of control and I hit this bing pile of mud at 30 MPH, there is no physical damage at all. Anyways at the shop I checked all the 4 wheels, the front driver side one was the bad one, but both of the back wheels move very very very slightly like about a millimeter is that normal? or does that mean I have to change the bearings on the back too?

Try to replace your front bearing assembly as soon as you can, mine decided to blow out on the highway too. Its pretty easy if you are mechanically inclined. I have a spare one at home I could sell you if you wanted to wait till Thursday for me to ship it. As far as the movement in the rear, that is normal. They will move in and out a little, that is due to the characteristics of the C clip axle. The side to side shouldn't be an issue either as long as the axle shafts still rotate smoothly.

 

[fordexplorerdude97]

Try to replace your front bearing assembly as soon as you can, mine decided to blow out on the highway too. Its pretty easy if you are mechanically inclined. I have a spare one at home I could sell you if you wanted to wait till Thursday for me to ship it. As far as the movement in the rear, that is normal. They will move in and out a little, that is due to the characteristics of the C clip axle. The side to side shouldn't be an issue either as long as the axle shafts still rotate smoothly.

Thanks for your info

I might buy if from you if the price is right, is it brand new or used? and please tell me the price you are asking for.