This might be a dumb question

[konaboy]

A master mechanic I'm not and I'll admit that upfront. One thing as I was driving today, having time to let my mind wander about things I've read here, that came to mind was this. There's alot mentioned about Front hub assemblies going bad. I've never heard anything about the rear. Do the rears have hubs as well or what goes on back there?? If not do the rear wheel bearings ever go bad?? May be a stupid question but I honestly am curious and trying to learn about all this cool stuff. I'm not having any symptoms or problems just an honest question.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[JDraper]

The rears don't have hub assemblies because the wheels are not steerable. Rear wheel bearings can go bad, but if they're not abused, they usually last a long time.

I'd suggest you go get yourself a Haynes manual (about $17) if you want to learn more about your truck. It's a repair manual that's written for the vehicle owner, not a mechanic.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Your lucky, I am about to do a write up in the next few days about Axles and driveline stuff. Rears do not have hubs because hubs allow you to disengage and engage at different times. The rear is always engaged. Now, the only difference is that you can change the rear differential to a limited slip or a locker and it'll put traction to both the rear wheels. Normal open differential only apply torque to one wheel. There are bearings in the rear ends, on the ends, sometimes on the middle of the axle tubes and carrier and pinion bearings. These do wear out and cause high pitch noises usually (found in a lot of '02 Explorers with the new IRS design). When I finish that write up I will leave a link in here.

-Drew

I was going to have the write up done the other day, but I was typing it and for some odd reason the power went out and I lost all my information. So I got upset ha - hopefully the day I try to do it will be powered up all night.

EDIT: I'm going to move this to Underhood and Driveline since it's more appropriate there since it doesn't have to deal with JUST 95-01 Explorers.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Went ahead and did it: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151981

-Drew

 

[BrooklynBay]

Drew, I would suggest that you get a UPS battery back up for your computer. This is a MUST HAVE thing where I live. I get power brownouts all of the time (even last night when I was about to send a post). I used to get really frustrated before I got one of these things. The one that I have is made by Belkin. It's what is called cheap insurance against sudden crashes. It even has a feature that logs all of your intermittent power outages, and has a voice come on your speakers when the computer has no power at all. It says that it is shutting down the system in 2 minutes, and counts until power is restored. As soon as you have power back on, it just goes back to normal. If not, it safely shuts down your system without crashing it.

 

[konaboy]

Sorry for asking this in the wrong section. My apologies. I have this section bookmarked since this is what applies to my X. Sorry

I think I'm going to look for Haynes manual. Sounds like a good investment!
Brian

 

[BrooklynBay]

I saw a Chilton's CD in Pep Boys Auto the other day. I originally thought that they only made printed manuals. I guess everything is on CDs these days. Does anybody here have this CD? If so, how does it compare to other repair manuals on CD, or to their printed manuals?

 

[JDraper]

From what I have seen, the Haynes manuals are better than the Chiltons's manuals. Clearer writing, more information..

 

[konaboy]

Went to a used book store tonight and found a Hayne's manual for $7. Sounded like a good deal to me so I bought it. Now more in depth learning begins