<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <wontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> My driver side front wheel has a lot of up and down movement to it. I think it needs a new front bearing, but when I checked my Haynes Manuel to see the process it appears to have been omitted.

Questions:
Does it sound like my bearing needs to be replaced?
How do I replace it?

I have a 2002 Escape V6 4X4

I appreciate any help anyone can offer…

 

Up/down movement is more likely a ball joint. If you don't know how to diagnose the fault accurately, seek the assistance of someone who does.

Replacement of the bearing involves using a shop press to remove the hub and bearing from the spindle. It is NOT a simple job with typical hand tools.

 

If your bearing is going out you will here it.There is 2 ways to do the bearing on the rock auto site there is a great how to under the wiki our something spelled like that.It says to take off the Brake caliper and rotor ,spindle nut,get a slide hammer and pull off the hub,remove the clip,pull lower ball joint to remove the axle then there is a bearing remover installer tool (its like a washer and a sleeve and a threaded rod)to pull the old bearing out and reverse the tool to pull the new one back in.2 remove the spindle and have bearing pressed in and out.Removing spindle.remove brake caliper and rotor,remove tie rod end,sway bar end link,spindle nut,lower ball joint and the two bolts that connect to strut.

 

I can hear a low pitched "whooom whooom whooom" noise while I drive from that wheel.

Thanks for the information...do you have a link to the site?

 

That is proably a bearing going.When driving and the noise is there slight turn the wheel and see if noise stops.slight to the left and noise stops the left is the issue.Also if yoou replace I would recommend Timkin bearings over all others.I installed national bearings in mine and replaced them both in less then 8 months.They went out withen 2 months of each other.Also at the same time I installed new lower control arms from Carquest Auto because of the lower ball joints were loose.I will be replacing them to they just made it a year and the ball joints are worse then the originals had when I replaced them and they had over 160,000 miles on them.Going to Ford to buy the new control arms.Also in the disassembly I forgot to add you need to remove the ABS senser.

 

I have been using a Haynes Manuel for all of the repairs thus far. Do you know of a web site or anything comparable that I could get step by step directions from?

 

You can on the auto zone web site you need to sign up but its free.or here this is from rock auto search the part and hit the wiki if theres a article it will post it.
2001 FORD ESCAPE 3.0L 182cid V6 FI (1) DOHC_Axle Bearing and Hub Assembly