Hub & Wheel Bearings: Removal
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2004 Ford Pickup, 2004 Ford Excursion, 2003 Ford Pickup, 2003 Ford Excursion, and 2002 Ford Pickup. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise front of vehicle, and remove wheels. Remove brake caliper, and wire aside. Remove brake caliper anchor.
- Remove grease cap from hub. Remove cotter pin, adjusting nut and flat washer from spindle. Remove outer wheel bearing. Pull hub and brake rotor from spindle. Clean bearings. DO NOT spin dry bearing using compressed air.
- Using care not to damage the bearing cage, use a suitable slide hammer and bearing seal remover to remove the inner bearing cone and bearing seal. See Fig 1. Clean bearings. DO NOT spin dry bearings using compressed air.
- Check spindle and nut threads. Inspect bearings and bearing cups for pitting or unusual wear. If either bearing or bearing cup is worn or damaged, replace them as a set. After installing NEW bearing cups, check for proper seating of new bearing cups by inserting a .0015" (.38 mm) feeler gauge between bottom face of cup and wheel hub seat. Feeler gauge should not be able to fit.