Hub / Wheel bearing problems

[DCFireMedic]

I have a 1996 Explorer 4x4, 4.0 w/ auto tranny. I have replaced the wheel hub and bearing assemblies 3 times and need to do it again. I have been using Auto Zone and Advance Auto parts - parts and the same thing keeps happening. Does anybody have any suggestions as to why this is happening ? its like the bearings are just seperating and allowing where the rotor goes to move freely. Any help would be appreciated. Should I just buy ford factory parts ?

 

[Kevin Kuiper]

I would ask if U are Tighting down the Bearings Correctly?? Are U useing the Cotter Pin?? Are U Properly Packing the Bearing with Grease?? They Do Not just Loosen up, at Least what I have seen... Auto Zone and Advanc ed use a Quality Bearing, so I would Say stick with them.. Good Luck!

 

[DCFireMedic]

my 96 explorer uses a sealed hubk assembly with abs sensor built in, so i think you have mistaken.

 

[monkeydude3]

Just make sure everythign is greased up and tightened to spec... and price the parts from Ford direct and see if it's not too much more to get OEM.

 

[DCFireMedic]

anybody else?

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Bring it to Duffy's Repair Service in the Hanover Air Park and I'll fix it. Glad to see someone else on here from Richmond. I can't really tell you why you are having this problem if everythings tight and you have all the right parts. Hope someone will have some ideas - But what Kevin said was a good start.

-Drew

 

[jtison]

Bearing adjustment is KEY. You've gotta have a torque wrench. I've got a 94 XLT with automatic hubs and would bet the procedure is different for yours. For the '94, I have to tighten the bearing locknut down to 35 ft-lbs, then it says to back it off to 16 *inch*-lbs. If you don't do this, the bearings won't seat properly. If you leave it backed off too far, you'd have a bunch of loose parts in there. Yikes. If you don't do this properly, you're risking losing a wheel while driving! (And you think *bearings* are a PITA? Just wait ... I've had this happen on another vehicle ... it ain't pretty.)

The '94 also has a keylock piece of metal that holds the locknut in place (no cotter pins/castellated nuts like on the old 2 WD setups) ... if you lose that, you're in deep trouble.

I'd take Drew up on his offer if I were you. If you've got mangled/loose bearings right now, I'd *tow* it there

Be careful: losing a wheel SUCKS.

Peace,
--Jim--

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I can't promise that I'll fix it personally - but I can promise you won't have a problem with it again when you leave our shop. Take it easy.

-Drew

 

[mvoeller]

His 96 doesn't have any adjustment on the front bearings. It is a once piece bearing hub setup on the newer explorers. I don't have any answers for why the bearings are going out so quickly.

 

[gijoecam]

There's a few things:

Cheap bearings. TRW/Moog/Wagner are the only ones I'll use.
Brake Jobs done with a BFH used to get the rotor off results in brinelling of the bearings.

Harsh roads. I just turned 87k on my '98, and I need new ones again. First set was done at 45k. Our roads are horrible!!

-Joe