Wheel bearings

[blighty]

I just took my truck into Ford complaining about excessive road noise and vibration at all speeds ranges. I told them it feels like the wheel bearings were shot, and after a test drive they confirmed my suspicion, replacing both front wheel bearings.

The truck now sounds unbelievably quiet, much unlike what it sounded like when I bought it just before Christmas - I figured the road noise was normal! I had read on this forum people commenting on how quiet the new explorers were - I thought you guys were crazy, as mine sounded like a tank.

Anyway, I have no idea how much the work would have cost, as it was done on warranty, but is this normal for bearing failure after only 40, 000 kms? I would really hate to have to pay for this in another 40, 000 kms.

Anyone else run into this issue?

 

[eddie06]

Mine went at 71K miles. 500 or so for parts, did the labor myself. Dealer is $1000-$1300 with parts

 

[edwx]

On my '03 X both front bearings went quickly. Currently, on my '06 X the bearings are ok @ 70K. I am expecting them to wear out soon.

 

[mdb917]

Mine were replaced at 53K. The driver side wheel bearing was toast and the seal on the passeger side was leaking so the dealer replaced both wheel bearings and seals. It was still under warranty.

 

[vulturerick]

Driver's Side Rear Bearing

My 06 Eddie's driver side rear bearing went out at about 78k miles....and wouldnt you know it my stinkin extended warranty didnt cover the rear wheel bearings!

Turned out to be a $500 dollar job at my repair shop here in Baltimore (Catonsville Auto). They were reasonable and did a good job

Had taken it to the dealer but they kept sayin everything was ok after they "supposedly" checked it.

I will learn how to do it myself for the next time

 

[Bill MacLeod]

What "brand" are being used as replacements?

 

[jdc28va]

Tag; I have 68,000 miles on my 2006 and I think my bearings are starting to go.

What are the early indications? Over the last few thousand miles, I get a very slight feeling, sort of like driving over bridge gratings but very subtle, sometimes, especially while accelerating or turning the wheel.

Where are you guys getting the parts, Rock Auto? How difficult of a job to do yourself? I've replaced all four struts, and front upper and lower ball joints at the auto hobby shop, is it in that same ballpark of difficulty?

 

[Bill MacLeod]

I haven't done my 06 yet, but did 1 on the 99 couple weeks ago. Similar front ends on both vehicles.

Its reletively easy to do with the right tools. Need a 32mm deep socket, 0 to 250# torque wrench, maybe a hub puller, selection of sockets and wrenches.

Loosen the locknut before you lift the front end, remove wheels, brakes and backing plate. Disconnect elec harness for abs sensor. The cable is probably 3' long so it will be up in the front bumper frame area.
There are 3 probably 15mm hex head bolts that hold the hub to the steering knucle. These are on the opposite side and can be difficult to remove. With both wheels off the ground and steering wheel unlocked, you can turn the opposite side wheel to give better access to each bolt head. Be carefull not to round the heads of these bolts.
If you have a hub puller, the hub should pop right out. Otherwise beat the crap out of the front of the hub until it pops loose. Pull straight out from the splines of the half shaft.
Use lots of antiseize on mating surfaces and blue lockite on the fasteners, especially the caliper bolts and hub nut. Torque to specs.
Hope this helps, first time will take 3/4 hours, next time 1/2 hours. Proper hub puller will save lots of time and effort. And a piece of small pipe will be very usefull to loosen the hub nut and hub bolts.

 

[DirtJunky]

I just took my truck into Ford complaining about excessive road noise and vibration at all speeds ranges. I told them it feels like the wheel bearings were shot, and after a test drive they confirmed my suspicion, replacing both front wheel bearings.

The truck now sounds unbelievably quiet, much unlike what it sounded like when I bought it just before Christmas - I figured the road noise was normal! I had read on this forum people commenting on how quiet the new explorers were - I thought you guys were crazy, as mine sounded like a tank.

Anyway, I have no idea how much the work would have cost, as it was done on warranty, but is this normal for bearing failure after only 40, 000 kms? I would really hate to have to pay for this in another 40, 000 kms.

Anyone else run into this issue?

why dont you just change em yourself

 

[Explorer_PL]

Look for my post, I replaced 7 on them so far on mine, but 4 of them were aftermarkets that did not last, OEM (Timken) are the way to go. Fronts are very easy, rears are pain.

 

[thebrakeman]

Timkens are great quality, and unless they sold out recently, still made in the USA.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Yep, nothing against China but all the aftermarkets were Chinese, one of the front ones, I replaced it, I dropped the car off the jack and the bearing was done, 0 miles, something hinted me to lift the car again and sure enough, the wheel was wiggling already.

 

[seannydeez]

would any of you describe the vibration as almost feeling as though the 4 wheel drive is engaged? I have 70K on mine and I am getting a pretty good vibration that I can feel through the steering wheel. It is pretty noticeable all the time, but more so coasting down a hill or accelerating uphill.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Not at all. Mine was thumping/humming especialy on turns, relatively quiet, but still humming on straight roads. Speed-balance the wheels, check u-joints, axle boots for any cracks. I had no vibrations with any of the bad bearings.

 

[cody_stl]

I am having this same problem with my 07' EB. After reading some posts I am beginning to think it is the wheel bearings. Even tho they have no "play" in them, I have read on here that some that were shot were not showing any symptoms of play...just road noise and grinding/humming.

As Far as brands go...I want to change these things cheap with the X-Mas season here and all..Anyone know which brand.... Precision, National, Moog, Master Pro???

 

[edwx]

I think that Motorcraft, and Timkin, and maybe the National hub units come with the ABS sensor and new bolts, but I'm not positive. You'd have to confirm that.

 

[Explorer_PL]

None of them come with the bolts. Do not go "cheap", I did on one of my front ones, and had to do it 3 times: original Ford 75k miles, chinese replacement - crap, replaced with chinese replacement - crap, Motorcraft - good

 

[edwx]

OK, Hummmmm...

I did a ton of research last year on the bearings, and there is a huge thread on this subject on the Gen III forum. If I remember correctly, a lot of the guys were cutting off the bolts for easy removal and using the new bolts that came with the Motorcraft hubs.

I could be wrong though. I was wrong once, but I might be mistaken about that

 

[Explorer_PL]

Are we talking here about the front hub/bearing assembly ? Why cutting the bolts ? 3 bolts that come off easily. I bought 2 from Ebay and 2 from Ford and none of them had those 3 bolts. Hope that helps.

 

[edwx]

OK, fair enough, I guess the front hubs on the Gen IV's are alot easier than the Gen III's. According to everything I read on the extensive thread on Gen III hubs, they were a bee-atch!! I assumed that it would be the same for my '06.

FWIW, I just quickly ran back to the first page of that thread and cut and pasted this:

"Also, I used genuine Ford OEM front hub/bearing assemblies. Found them for $100/ea brand new in the box, from a guy who is going to the Ford dealerships closing and buying up their parts inventory. If anyone is looking for this complete assembly, I can refer you to him....he is a reputable seller with more than excellent feedback through eBay and Paypal. The biggest difference in buying the OEM part and buying the cheap chinese junk on eBay or the parts from AutoZone or the like, is that the OEM part comes with NEW installation bolts (with thread lock on them) for not only the hub, but also the calipers. If I showed you a picture of what my old bolts on the hub looked like after they came out...you would be thankful that I put new bolts in!"

Many were cutting the "bolts from hell" and using the new ones.

I'm very happy to hear that the bolts on my '06 will come out easy, as I will probably have to replace the hubs at some point. That's why I was doing all the research ahead of time.