[ryan1428]

Cant find a wheel bearing install how to. I went to the parts store. They need to order it. Showed me a picture. It was a one piece. Are our wheel bearings just one piece?...... is there an inner and outer bearing..... maybe I'm getting old and this is the new technology. Do I need any special tools? Does it require a press?

 

[bluefront]

Yes, yes, yes, and maybe. The bearing can usually be gotten out without a press......but if you attempt to install the new one that way, you stand a good chance of injuring the thing.

I'd recommend taking the spindle to a shop and have the bearing replaced the right (easy) way.

 

[metallicnotazx5]

Remove spindle by these steps.

remove axle nut
remove tie rod from steering knuckle
remove strut punch bolt
remove ball joint pinch bolt

take spindle to a reputable shop and have them press the new wheel bearing in

 

[nov173]

there is a complete how to for this in the how to forum.. check it out

 

[honhon]

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119824

 

[ryan1428]

Thanks....thats exactly what Im looking for...awesome write up. So can I just buy the entire hub? Replace it as one assembly? Does it come with everything?

 

[macdiesel]

Yes, I bought a couple already in the hub. They are unitized and don't need to be greased. Just installed. Superflea has a geat write up, he opted to press his in. It is cheaper if you have access to a press

 

[ryan1428]

Did not get to play with the car for a few days. Did not get the hubs yet. I wanted to make sure the bearings were the problem. I jacked up the front. Tried to move the wheel up and down and side to side. Did not feel any movement. The only movement is clockwise and counter clockwise front to back. About 2 inches of movement. Dont know if this is normal. Just dont want to buy the hubs if I dont have to.

 

[MattZX3]

Did not get to play with the car for a few days. Did not get the hubs yet. I wanted to make sure the bearings were the problem. I jacked up the front. Tried to move the wheel up and down and side to side. Did not feel any movement. The only movement is clockwise and counter clockwise front to back. About 2 inches of movement. Dont know if this is normal. Just dont want to buy the hubs if I dont have to.

i would replace them even if you THINK they are going bad

i did the same thing, oh ,y wheel bearing isnt going out. i dont need to replace it

look what happened. luckily, this was right when i pulled in the driveway. any more driving on it and the damn wheel would have come right off

and boy was it smoking too, crazy heat when this thing tore apart

 

[Insane]

I heard from a ford tech that if you connect a copper line to the outside of the bearing and connect the other end to the strut that the bearing will last longer.

 

[ryan1428]

Today, I just noticed a ticking sound comming from the front tire. It increases the faster I go. Cant hear it at high speeds. It ticks both corners and straight....thought CV joint only tick when going around corners. Of course the road noise probably drowns it out. Also the Brake light on the dash started to flicker then go out. Thought my E brake was one.....I reset it. Still happened....seems to happen when going around corners but it just started and will keep an eye out. I thought the wheel bearing was the problem.....but Im starting to think its the CV joints? Dont want to start throwing parts and see if it fixes it.

 

[ryan1428]

I must be blind.... is there a CV joint how-to?

 

[Insane]

I know this may sound stupid.....But look for a rock or nail in your tire.

 

[ryan1428]

I did look.....there is a patch that the previous owner put in. The rubber sticks out a little.....does not look like it would make noise.

 

[bluefront]

A regular ticking sound that increases in frequency as you speed up....not usually caused by a bearing or CV joint. As stated, something stuck in the tire is usually the problem. If you can't find anything, rotate that tire to the rear....see if the noise follows.

Guessing at a wheel bearing or a CV joint can be a costly mistake....

 

[ryan1428]

bluefront

i agree. This is why I am asking soo many questions. Dont want to chage the cv joint and it turns out the be the bearing or vice a versa....or worse ....chage both and it turns out to be something else. I have another set of rims and tires waiting to go on...just been lazy. Here is a summary of the problems noticed. Usually when these thread get long....the original question gets lost.

Loud clunking from the front ends.... usually over speed bumps ..rough roads.

Ticking from front end. Very quiet. Only noticed it when i have the radio off and windows down and my head out the window.....but it's there.

Loud noise when driving down the hwy. Gets really loud at 60mph. It sounds exactly like a large 4x4 with knoby tires.

The brake light starting to come on driving down the road. Yes, the parking brake is released all the way. It usually happens when turning right..... yes, strange.

What Im affraid of is there are multiple problems and it makes pinpointing one thing difficult.

Ryan