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03 Explorer 4WD Front Bearing Replacement....simple enough?
Just a quick question. I've looked through other threads and can't find this answer. Maybe someone can point me to it. I need to replace the front bearings on my Explorer. Is this pretty basic? Can someone lay out the steps for me? I've done ball joints, tie rod ends, and the like on my truck before. I didn't know if this was difficult or not being 4WD. thanks.
the bearing and wheel hub with the 5 studs are made into a unit. it pushes into the knuckel and 3 big bolts are loctite them together from the back side. the axle stub pushes thru the middle of the bearing/ hub into the splines and the nut goes on the outside and torque to pull it all together. if you take the nut loose and push the alxe shaft inward an inch, it will move the CV joint back away from the knuckle enough to get a box wrench on the 3 bolt heads. after the 3 bolts are out the bearing/ hub is easlily removed. getting the 3 bolts out is a joke. need a good hex box wrench and a 5 pound hammer to smack it. i have a special Craftsman 6 point box wrench i use. I think its 15 mm.--- before you start you take off the wheel/ tire, brake calilper, brake disc and disconnect the ABS wire.
the link below shows how to put ball joints on a F150, but a couple of the photos showing the alxe nut, pushing back the CV joint, etc, are good photos. Instead of knocking off the ball joints to remove the knuckle, you are going to reach behind the knuckle and remove the 3 bolts holding the hub into the knuckle.
here is a good photo showing where the 3 bolts screw into the hub. the axle slides thru the splines and the retainer nut goes on the outside. you can see the ABS wire- probe mounted into the hub.
Can anyone tell me for sure what size the axle nut is? It's a 4WD 03 Explorer. I need to pick up a big socket at lunch today. Plan on doing this job tonight. Thanks!!
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