My wife has a '97 Expy and it has around 150k miles. It has some pretty loud sounds from the front as highway speed increases. I haven't had time to pull a wheel yet but I am assuming the wheels bearings will need replaced. I am also going to have the wheels balanced and rotated to see if anything changes.

So, if worse comes to worse, how hard is it to replace the front wheels bearings? I am assuming they need pressed in/out?

Thanks,
Paul

 

is this a 4 x 4? if so, the front hub and bearing are an assembly. you buy the unit and install. it is pre greased. you take off the wheel/ tire. then remove the brake caliper then brake disc. the alxe is held on by a big nut, maybe 34-36 mm. take the nut off and push the axle inward 1 inch. now go to the back of teh hub and remove the 3 bolts attaching the hub/bearing unit to the steering knuckle. they might be 15mm headed bolts and TIGHT. i use a 6 point Craftsman wrench and a 5 pound hammer. The bolts may be loctited in position. You can bu a new hub/ bearing unit and reinstall. most come with new bolts.

 

skip down the page and look at the photos to see what you are removing.

eBay Motors: FORD F150 F-150 WHEEL HUB BEARING ABS 00 01 02 03 04 (item 310132454807 end time Apr-29-09 11:03:36 PDT)

 

Looks pretty straighforward, just expensive. Thanks for the reply.