03 5.4 2x4 - Front Wheel Bearings Questions
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03 5.4 2x4 - Front Wheel Bearings Questions
So, I think I've got bearings going bad on the driver's front. There's a grinding type of vibration and a bit of a groaning or soft howling that varies with speed. I don't think it's the brakes or tires but will check before tearing stuff apart.
I expect this vehicle has the sealed hub assembly that has to be replaced as a unit and the bearings themselves are not replaceable.
Can someone verify this? Assuming that I'm correct and will need a replacement, what are the torque values?
I expect this vehicle has the sealed hub assembly that has to be replaced as a unit and the bearings themselves are not replaceable.
Can someone verify this? Assuming that I'm correct and will need a replacement, what are the torque values?
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The hubs are sealed and there is no maintenance or replacement of the bearings. The hubs also include the pickup for the ABS. They are pretty easy to replace, not much different than a brake job, for the 2WD version there are 4 bolts that hold the hub on (17mm I think). You'll need a breaker bar to get them loose. I can't remember the torque specs. The hubs are about $250/ea at a discount auto parts......check e-bay as there are many sellers there as well.
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bumparker,
thanks for the info. I've found local autoparts houses carry the hub, but one also lists tapered bearings for the 03 Expy. I didn't think the hub was serviceable, but thought I'd post the question. Will do a more thorough search for replacements and look for the "right" price. Should they be done in pairs or is it OK to change out just the "howler"?
Cheers,
T_
thanks for the info. I've found local autoparts houses carry the hub, but one also lists tapered bearings for the 03 Expy. I didn't think the hub was serviceable, but thought I'd post the question. Will do a more thorough search for replacements and look for the "right" price. Should they be done in pairs or is it OK to change out just the "howler"?
Cheers,
T_
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I have not heard any recommendation to replace in pairs. I would just replace the one making noise. I had one making noise and I replaced it. On e-bay I found a really good deal on a new one and replaced the other hub about a year later as prevention.
Be careful on e-bay, there are a lot of good deals but most of the lower priced hubs are for 4WD and they will not fit 2WD. The 4WD have only 3 bolts instead of 4 and have a triange pattern instead of of a square pattern.
Be careful on e-bay, there are a lot of good deals but most of the lower priced hubs are for 4WD and they will not fit 2WD. The 4WD have only 3 bolts instead of 4 and have a triange pattern instead of of a square pattern.
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It used to be that there was only a front hub for 4WD vehicles, not 2WD ones. The 2WD vehicles used regular wheel bearings and the bearing races were a part of the front rotors. Sometime in 01, 02, or 03 (I don't know when) that design was changed and even the 2WD models now have a hub in the front with a separate removable rotor. I suspect it was redesigned so that it wasn't so expensive to replace a rotor.
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