My "major" expenses over the past 3 years - just FYI.

[Explorer_PL]

Hi -

have fun reading and let me know if you are having same issues. Mine is 06 V8 EB with 118K miles now. I pasted from excel so the format is somewhat shiffted, but hope you can follow. Mileage is approximate.

Mileage Descr Price-comment
42K 4 new Kuhmo's 235-65-18 $500
43K Mounted Fisher Suburbanite snow plow $1,400 Bought on Ebay
63K Tranny Flush $200 Ford dealer
69K Front, rear diff, transfer case fluid change $100 Shop
75K Rear left bearing $380 Shop
99K Rear left bearing $ 0 warranty
99K Right front bearing $110 Ebay - made in China
99K 4 new Bridgestones 265-60-18 $780
100K Right front bearing $ 0 Ebay - exchange, made in China
100K Right front bearing $320 Motorcraft - done myself
101K New sparkplugs, 1 broken in the head $350 Plugs 100, Leslie tool 80, mechanic buddy -150, misc fluids
114K Rear left bearing $130 Motorcraft - done myself
116K Rear wiper motor $ 0 seized, took apart, cleaned and greased the shaft
117K Tranny Flush $200 Ford dealer
117K Front, rear diff, transfer case fluid change $100 Shop
117K Right rear ABS tone ring $24 Motorcraft - done myself
117K Power steering flush $60 Shop
117K Front left bearing $220 Motorcraft - done myself
118K Right front ABS sensor harness $- had spare in the garage

 

[NHarris]

Quite the interesting thread. Looks like the 4th gen have wheel bearing problems too. This is honestly a smart idea too. Keep track of all the expenses.

I've had some of the same issues with my 3rd gen. I expect to be joining you with the wheel bearings very shortly.

 

[techieman33]

I wouldn't consider bearings at 100k miles a problem, that's a lot of wear and tear. You wouldn't have expected a bearing from 15 years ago that wasn't sealed to last half that long without failing.

 

[NHarris]

I wouldn't consider bearings at 100k miles a problem, that's a lot of wear and tear. You wouldn't have expected a bearing from 15 years ago that wasn't sealed to last half that long without failing.

My 98 Explorer goes through less wheel bearings than an average 3rd gen does. I got 115-120k out of my original bearings on my 2nd gen.
I've seen alot of bearings on 3rd gens go out at 70-100k

 

[feetwet]

How much plowing are you doing? Do you think that has contributed?

What should you look out for to know when your bearings are starting to go?

Hope the motorcraft bearings hold up better.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Since I put 80 miles a day every single day, more on weekends, when I start hearing a "foreign" noise, I pick it up immediately. With front bearings you hear hum-hum-hum and it drove me nuts each time, and the general rule of "left turn - right bearing" did not apply, quite opposite each time in my case. With the rears, in all cases the wheel had tons of play and the brakes were rubbing since the caliper is fixed to the knuckle, but the rotor had a play with the bearing so it cut the pads at an angle.
I do not do much plowing, just mine, my neighbours, and an old lady down the road. I do not think it has a major contribution to my bearings (yes, there is an extra load), but the plow weighs just 250 lbs, and when you plow it's on the ground, I do not drive with it much.

 

[willied]

I wouldn't consider bearings at 100k miles a problem, that's a lot of wear and tear. You wouldn't have expected a bearing from 15 years ago that wasn't sealed to last half that long without failing.

My mom's 2000 Expedition had over 315,000 miles on it when she sold it and it never had to replace a bearing.

I don't think having to replace multiple bearings at around 100,000 miles is very good, but that's just me.