Rear bearing replacement tools

[07EddyB]

I've replaced the rear bearings on my Explorer but at the time I removed the knuckle and took it somewhere and had them press it. I have a few more tools now and I'm curious if anyone has done the job with the following tools:
To remove the hub I have this slide hammer:

To remove the bearing I have this:

These are actually the exact ones that I have. Now the current bearings (and the hubs which were also replaced) have been in: Right 4.5 years for 34K miles - Left 4 years for 28K miles. I tend to think that since they are relatively new it would increase the likely hood of success. I'm getting some vibration and a little noise and thinking about the rear bearings again. Has anyone been successful at a bearing replacement using these tools or is a press mandatory?

 

[Bill MacLeod]

If the knuckle was cleaned and anti-seize used on the bearings, you just may have success with those tools. But a small 10 or 12 ton press may be needed. I used a 10 T bench top press, but needed to persuade the first bearing I did with one smack with a bar and bfh while under full pressure.
Also have an OTC slide hammer and a set of adapters (from amazon) as you picture above. They have only been used a few times, but are inexpensive and have paid for them self very quickly.
Good luck.

 

[07EddyB]

If the knuckle was cleaned and anti-seize used on the bearings, you just may have success with those tools. But a small 10 or 12 ton press may be needed. I used a 10 T bench top press, but needed to persuade the first bearing I did with one smack with a bar and bfh while under full pressure.
Also have an OTC slide hammer and a set of adapters (from amazon) as you picture above. They have only been used a few times, but are inexpensive and have paid for them self very quickly.
Good luck.

Hey Bill - it's unlikely that when I farmed it out the first time that anything was cleaned and any anti-seize was used. You know how that goes.
I was hoping at this point someone had to try it at least once - it's a common failure point and someone somewhere has tried it without a press and I would think that this would be the forum where that person existed.
I understand that I may be the guinea pig here....

 

[Bazz270]

34000 miles for bearings...
Ford Genuines or replacement brand used?

Seems to be very low mileage for quality bearings

 

[07EddyB]

34000 miles for bearings...
Ford Genuines or replacement brand used?

Seems to be very low mileage for quality bearings

I sourced the rears locally so they are Moog.

 

[Bazz270]

Hi

What is the bottom line about the bearing extractor/installer kit described above?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Hi

What is the bottom line about the bearing extractor/installer kit described above?

usually they work just fine! and imo theyre all pretty much same quality (im going to get flamed for this) if i understand your questiin right! (im still waking up)

 

[07EddyB]

Hi

What is the bottom line about the bearing extractor/installer kit described above?

I haven't tried it yet and I never really got an answer here on if anyone else had used them before. If I replace a rear again I will try but no need right now.

 

[Bazz270]

Im thinking to try one ...but...

Moog assembled rear hub costs the same as the bearing kit plus the bearing tool...

How long the Moog national bearings will really last?

 

[07EddyB]

I'm around 30K on my Moog rear bearings and hubs from Advace Auto. They seem to be holding up.

 

[Bazz270]

And what about the knuckle rubber bushings?they are holding up too?

 

[07EddyB]

They seem to be. I can't find any play in anything and there is no noise. I'm at 134K right now so that would be 30K+ since I last had the knuckles off. Replaced the rear struts a few months ago but that was less intrusive.

 

[Bazz270]

Well...sounds good

 

[07EddyB]

I'm sure you've posted it before Bazz but what's the mileage on that Explorer you are restoring?

 

[Bazz270]

Now something about 180000 miles

Maybe a bit more but ive replaced (3 years ago) the instrument cluster with the old mileage lol