Wheel bearing replacement.

[lenexalarry]

How do I remove and replace the rear wheel bearings on my 2007 Explorer XLT?

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[rhauf]

3 years old and they are bad? how many miles?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 2006-2010 section.

 

[Mlarv5]

How do I remove and replace the rear wheel bearings on my 2007 Explorer XLT?

Howdy my 2007 is in the shop now getting the wheel bearings replaced. It is covered under the 5 year 60000 warranty. So they are free to me. Mine went bad at about 45000 miles. It is worth the drive to the dealer cause the cost at the dealer is $325 a piece.

 

[IvanSvea]

So, back to the original question: how do I replace the rear bearings?

'07 Limited, 145k, noisy going down the road. Shop replaced the fronts ($789.00) they want another $600 to do the rears. New Timkin hub and bearing is only $110.00 each. How hard is the install?

 

[Lukas2009]

You can find information about that in this forum.
Just try a search!

 

[SamBurritos]

Here are instructions for the front. Can anyone confirm if the rear is similar?

 

[Explorer_PL]

The rear is completely different.
The fronts are more expensive part wise, but very doable by anybody on the driveway.
I did all of them multiple times. The rears are pressed into the suspension knuckle. You need to:
take the wheel off, remove the axle nut, remove the main brakes, emergency brakes (those are PITA), unbolt the knuckle, take it to the shop with a press, press out the old bearing, press in the new bearing and the hub. I reused the hub every time. That's basically it, maybe I missed few steps.


Edit: do not forget to put the wheel and brakes back on

 

[Flag Gibby]

This is a link to a thread that talks about the process to do the rear: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304325&highlight=rear+hub+replacement
ExplorerPL outlined the process quite nicely just as I was posting this... the above link just adds a few fine details.

 

[IvanSvea]

Can someone confirm the size of the rear axle nut? I measure it at 41mm but that seams to be the least common size socket in the world. Even NAPA has to special order it.

Looks like I'm putting all the parts back together until I can find the socket.

 

[96743explorer]

Isn't it 36, or 38? I gotta check my socket when I get off of work.

 

[Flag Gibby]

The link that I posted here says it is either a 32mm or 36mm deep socket and you should be able to rent one from your local Autozone.

 

[IvanSvea]

Ok, so I'm an idiot. I've been reading my calipers wrong. Correct socket size is 35mm. $20.00 at Pep Boys. One side is apart, taking a break for dinner and a beer. Restart tomorrow.

One note thats not in any of the instructions: Release the e-break cable, under the drivers side door so you can detach it from the hub. Otherwise it's the last thing holding the knuckle to the car...

THanks for everyone's advice and help.

 

[IvanSvea]

Done

Finally finished! Gave up Sunday because my press wouldn't touch moving the bearings. Took them to a shop Monday,$40 each for the press work.The guy that said it was hard on the 40 ton.

Hardest part of reassembly was the springs on the e-break.

Best part, the noise is gone! Smooth and quiet.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Yeah, the stupid e-brake, that was half of the effort in my case as well.

 

[MerkurRS]

Finally finished! Gave up Sunday because my press wouldn't touch moving the bearings. Took them to a shop Monday,$40 each for the press work.The guy that said it was hard on the 40 ton.

Yes- the fronts were a piece of cake- maybe 30 minutes each.
However, I broke my 12 ton press trying to press out the LH bearing and my friends 20 ton didn't budge them. Guess I am off to the machine shop on Monday to have them swap the bearings.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

interesting.... I never looked it up... I figured both front and rear were 3 lug sealed hubs... after looking up the part on autozone I see now it is a different setup.. bummer...

 

[MerkurRS]

interesting.... I never looked it up... I figured both front and rear were 3 lug sealed hubs... after looking up the part on autozone I see now it is a different setup.. bummer...

Its really stupid that it is not. It's an IRS- so why not use hub assemblies on all four corners? Maybe it has to do with towing capacity on a true roller bearing in the spindle versus a hub assy. Not being an engineer- that's my guess.
Today I will use a whiz wheel to cut the race out- that's what others on this forum are suggesting. Hopefully I can complete this job. I am frustrated it already took me longer than one day.