Changing rear wheelbearings
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Purmerend / The Netherlands
Changing rear wheelbearings
Explorer '95
Found out that the rear wheelbearings have to be changed, both wheels have an axial play of about 2 mm., the aerea is pretty greasy (seal).
The axle has no radial play, so wil it be sufficient just to change the seal?
Is this a job for a home mechanic?
Any suggestions are welcome.
Tony.
Found out that the rear wheelbearings have to be changed, both wheels have an axial play of about 2 mm., the aerea is pretty greasy (seal).
The axle has no radial play, so wil it be sufficient just to change the seal?
Is this a job for a home mechanic?
Any suggestions are welcome.
Tony.
Last edited by Toon; Apr 21, 2003 at 03:08 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,742
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From: UT
Changing rear wheelbearings
It's a semi-floating axle (with C-clips) so some axial play is normal. However, if the axle seals are leaking, you'll need to pull it apart to the bearings anyway (involves opening the differential so you can remove the c-clips and remove the axles), so you'll be able to visually inspect them anyway.
I didn't find it to be that difficult of a job. The "hardest" part for me was finding the proper bearing puller. And that will only be an issue if you deem it necessary to remove the bearing. The vehicle repair guides at autozone.com (Chilton's equivalents) should have a description of how to remove the axle seals. The only note to make is that, they have you remove the bearing and seal together, but you can remove the seal alone if you get a hold of it with a pair of pliers or a screwdriver or something.
Good luck.
I didn't find it to be that difficult of a job. The "hardest" part for me was finding the proper bearing puller. And that will only be an issue if you deem it necessary to remove the bearing. The vehicle repair guides at autozone.com (Chilton's equivalents) should have a description of how to remove the axle seals. The only note to make is that, they have you remove the bearing and seal together, but you can remove the seal alone if you get a hold of it with a pair of pliers or a screwdriver or something.
Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
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From: Mission Viejo USA
Changing rear wheelbearings
Toon,
When you are ready to put the new bearings in...if you have never done it before...make sure you have someone who has experience, show you how to pack the bearings correctly. It's easy, but if you don't do it right, bad things happen!
-John
When you are ready to put the new bearings in...if you have never done it before...make sure you have someone who has experience, show you how to pack the bearings correctly. It's easy, but if you don't do it right, bad things happen!
-John
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Purmerend / The Netherlands
Changing rear wheelbearings
Thank you fetterjohn and mrshorty for your reply, next weekend i'll give it a chance.
Yes there is someone experienced around, at work (shipyard) in the machineshop we also have some special tools like a slidehammer, hydraulic press etc.
But I am proud enough to do it myself, what do you mean by "pack them right"? The bearing is lubed by the oil inside the axle, do I need to grease it first?
Greetz, Tony.
Yes there is someone experienced around, at work (shipyard) in the machineshop we also have some special tools like a slidehammer, hydraulic press etc.
But I am proud enough to do it myself, what do you mean by "pack them right"? The bearing is lubed by the oil inside the axle, do I need to grease it first?
Greetz, Tony.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: UT
Changing rear wheelbearings
You say you have some tools, do you know if you will have access to a set of these: 
(they fit most slide hammers). Nobody within half a days drive even knew what they were when I did my rear bearings, and it ended up taking me two weeks to get a hold of a set. Only took a couple of minutes once I had the right puller. I tried other pullers (two and three jawed pullers, etc.). It made all the difference to have the right tool.
