Glad to be a member, have a wheel bearing question

[zacharybg13]

Hi, my name is Zach, i own a 2002 Explorer XLS. I have been picking your guys forum for months fod informatoon, finally registered. I need some help, if this is the wrong place to ask this question i apologize, i could not figure out where to post. Anyway, ive got a bad wheel bearing in the front passengers side. My question is, am i required to buy the entire front hub assy. Or can i just buy the bearing itself? Thanks for any help or input.

 

[Number4]

The bearing is sold as a hub/bearing assembly only. You can't get the bearing separately.

 

[zacharybg13]

Ok that answers myquestion. I suspected such. Thanks for the input #4 .

 

[vipersinu2]

yes it is sold as an whole assembly, they are not cheep, if you have a discount advanced auto parts store, buy it online and pick up at counter, search for a promo code online usually you can get 50 bucks off order

 

[Number4]

I was waiting for BigRondo to come by. He must be busy at the moment.

In his absence, welcome to the forum. Don't forget to come back and explain your fixes as it all goes into the pot to help the next guy.

There are different quality bearings available and no need to go OE. You often get what you pay for. If you go the value line path, it'll still meet OE specs you may just have to replace them sooner.

Heres a perfect video on replacing them if you choose to tackle it yourself.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402670

 

[zacharybg13]

Thanks for your help guys, now i just gotta figure out the axel nut size. Ive been told and read 29,29,30,31, and 32mm, so which one is it? 2002 xls 4x4.

 

[zacharybg13]

And i will be doing the job myself, already got everything but a socket for the axel nut.

 

[n2audio]

Not sure what size the axle nut is on that truck, but you can just rent (no cost upon return) the axle nut kit from your local parts store. Advance, O'reilly, A'zone, all have the loan-a-tool program.

 

[zacharybg13]

Was gonna go that route but didnt have the extra 100 dollars to put down on the deposit at the time.

 

[Number4]

I believe they say it's 35mm. I had to get a 36. The 35 wouldn't fit. That was on an 04 4wd.
Whatever the prescribed size was, I had to go one up.

 

[zacharybg13]

I could not find a metric deepwell so i used a 1 3/16" worked perfectly, got it all torqued back down and the abs sensor plug wont plug in, and ive still got a roaring sound coming from front passengers side when turning left.

 

[chetrick87]

I have the same roar when turning left.

 

[zacharybg13]

I checked my wheel for play it had some slack in it so i figured wheel bearing was the culprit. Bought a new hub assembly and installed it, still have the roar, what else could it be?

 

[Number4]

These sounds are almost impossible to identify from the drivers seat. Best to have someone else drive. Pick a route that generated the sound. Then take multiple runs at it while you move from one seat to another including the back.

 

[MAS Tequila]

I would go ahead and change the other side also.

That way both are new, and you're good to go for many miles.

MT

 

[pet575]

Just FYI, I had the same thing. Turned out the front differential had gone bad.

 

[zacharybg13]

If it was the front diff. Wouldnt it roar all the time and not just when i turn left?

 

[pet575]

Possibly. Hard to say though. Mine started out as just a very dull thump only on acceleration and then the hum started when turning a certain direction (can't remember which way-it was a few years ago).

I'd suspect you probably changed the wrong wheel bearing and didn't know it. Cheapest way to find out is to swap them or to replace the other side with the old one you took out (if you still have it). Only thing it costs you is time.

 

[zacharybg13]

Well it only roars when turning left, which usually indicates passengers side bearing, i jacked up the vehicle and grabbed wheel at 12-6 and gave it a shake and it did have slight play in it. So i changed that hub assembly. When i turn to the right the roar stops all together and its quiet at church mouse.