I have a 2WD 97 Explorer and have replace the front bearings a couple of times. It is very easy - much easier than on any 4WD version. The wheel hub and brake rotor are a single unit. There are two wheel bearings, one in the front of the hub and one in the back. The back one is held in the hub with a replaceable seal; you will need a new seal. New parts required: front bearing, rear bearing, rear seal, cotter pin, wheel bearing grease. Only unique tool might be a socket big enough to fit wheel bearing nut - I don't remember exact size but we are talking 25-30MM. Sorry, but no pics.
DISASSEMBLY:
- Jack up front of car, place on jackstands, and remove tire.
- Remove brake caliper, pads and caliper mounting frame.
- Remove wheel nut cover (if so equipped).
- Remove cotter pin and metal castle cover.
- Remove large nut from end of spindle.
- Hub assembly will now side off the spindle; pull it out about an inch or two and then push back in - the outer bearing and large washer should now be sitting near the end of the spindle and you can slide them off.
- Pull the hub assembly off the spindle and lay it face down on a clean surface.
- Carefully pry out the rear seal; pull the rear bearing out of back of hub.
REASSEMBLY:
- Load up the new rear bearing with grease and lay in rear of hub; make sure taper points into hub.
- Carefully tap new rear seal in place.
- Slide hub assembly back on the spindle.
- Load new front bearing with grease and slide over end of spindle; make sure taper goes into hub.
- Replace flat washer against bearing; then put large nut back on.
- Tighten large nut down until snug, then back off just a hair; hub assembly should rotate freely but not have any side to side, up and down, or in and out play.
- Replace metal castle cover and cotter pin (can reuse old cotter pin if you have to and not broken).
- Replace wheel nut cover (if so equipped).
- Replace caliper mounting frame, brake pads and brake caliper.
- Replace tire.
- Do other side if necessary.
- Take off jackstands.
Drive on!!
Just a thought, but since the rotors are integrated with the hub, if the rotors need replacing then use a new hub assembley also.