I know to search before posting, but I can't find much on a 2001 4x4 front wheel bearing and if it is easy enough to replace myself. My truck humms real nice especially going 60mph, it's the wheel bearing. Is it easily replaceable with normal tools? I know the part(s) cost about 200-250$ or so. Does it require any presses or anything. From what i've read it's 3 bolts and it seems to slip out? Is it as simple as it seems? Does anyone know of the cost and the best place to get it?
I called the dealer and they want around $500 to do it, and I don't like that.

 

Yes it is really easy to do i replaced mine about three weeks ago no special tools needed just a 32mm socket.

Here is a good how to i found on explorer forum
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=165429

 

I dont know that it "slips" out, it will take some work to get it out.

 

ok, but i'm just making sure it doesn't take a bearing press or any repacking, and i'm pretty sure it doesn't since it comes as a whole new 'kit' and sealed up.

Would the one from Autozone be advisable to get? Any other recommended brands/places?

 

Yea it is easy to replace the whole kit but to replace a specific bearing it requires a press.

 

the one from auto zone should be fine. no press required. its a sealed bearing/hub, just bolts in.

 

Dont order it from autozone they d***ed me over. I ordered mine, waited two days for it to come in. Went in to pick it up and they said the order had been canceled because they no longer carry it. I ended up getting mine from advanced auto parts.

 

To make it cheap and easy if you don't have tools you can borrow everything free from the autozone as a loner. They have the 32mm socket and torque wrench for torquing the nut to the recommended 200 ft lbs. I also borrowed a 3 jaw puller from them which made pushing the axle out easy. I also found a ball joint separator worked great for prying the old assembly from the knuckle if its corroded on.

 

Yesterday after work my dad and I checked out my wheel bearing, there is no play in the wheel with the truck jacked up. We took the bearing out but there is no apparent wear, and it seems very smooth. It seems like it is in perfect working condition. So we put everything back together, took about 10 min each to put on or take off, it's a simple job. Went and drove it on the highway again and it makes the same rumble humming sound.

So, I spoke with my boss here at work just a min ago about this, he designed bearings for transmissions so he knows a load of stuff about bearings and vehicles. He said that it can be bad and you'd never tell by feeling or messing with it, especially since mine is a sealed system. The bearings and races are meant to deal with thousands of pounds when in use so the tolerances are so tight. The only way you would feel or see anything bad/wrong is if it pretty much catastrophically failed to where the parts shaved off or came apart, apparently mine aren't to that point yet. So the bearing is the problem and it needs replaced, sucks.

 

I just did mine about a month ago. I went and bought the ones from the dealer because believe it or not they were cheaper, total cost for both $450.00.

 

Brett,
Great link on the howto for the front hub. I have to do this on my Ranger and my Chilton made it look much harder than it really is. Should be able to get this done tomorrow. Can't tell you what a big help this is. Thanks,
Dave