How do front wheel bearings work? I need to replace mine

[Dweano]

Hey guys. I have to replace the bearings on a 2001 Ford Ranger Edge 3.0L 2WD in order to pass inspection...what is up with bearings? I do not know how they work (well I know how they work) but on Rockauto it is saying that there is front inner and front outer? Up until now I thought there was just one...I really do not know much about front ends.

On my inspection sheet it says "Front wheel bearings loose" does that mean both inner and outer? I am assuming you replace both at the same time?

If so...would these work?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1840500

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1838196

They say they are the front inner and outer...so I get two of each? For both front wheels? Is that how the setup works?

Edit: also need ball joints...its a 2wd so it doesn't have torsion bar setup right?

 

[-Nathan-]

yes. there is an inner and outer bearing. the races are pressed into the rotor...so youll have to pound out the old races, and pound the new ones in. use lots of grease to pack bearings, and then put it all together, spinning the rotor while tightening the spindle nut. Oh, and youre going to need new inner seals for the back of the rotor, there is a seal back there that you WILL ruin taking out the old ones.

 

[Dweano]

Are the bearings different for 2WD or 4WD?

 

[Dweano]

That kinda makes sense now...haha. I am sure I will figure it out when I take apart all the old crap...what would the rotor seal be called? I am placing a big order with rockauto

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Are the bearings toast or just loose? If just loose, adjust them.

 

[wrecking-crew]

yes. there is an inner and outer bearing. the races are pressed into the rotor...so youll have to pound out the old races, and pound the new ones in. use lots of grease to pack bearings, and then put it all together, spinning the rotor while tightening the spindle nut. Oh, and youre going to need new inner seals for the back of the rotor, there is a seal back there that you WILL ruin taking out the old ones.

I never ruin my inner seals. Then again, I do this often.

Tighten them to the 28 inchlb spec. Or just a little over hand tight.

 

[rangerbum]

Yes the bearings do differ between 4 wheel drive and 2 wheel drive.

 

[Will]

Let me clear something important up.

You don't want actual pre-load on these wheel bearings. You pack them solid with grease, install them, then tighten them as hard as you can with an 8" ratchet while spinning the tire. This forces excess grease out of the bearing. Then, back the nut off--don't disturb the bearing while doing this--until it is just loose. Now you have all of the grease out of where it doesn't belong. The book says to tighten the nut to maybe 15 inch-pounds, which is nothing, and when you put the lock thing on and try to get the cotter pin through, you will have to make a tighter or looser choice in some cases. Choose looser. The two adjustment failures are 1) tightening the crap out of it because it is a nut and people think they need to tighten every nut as hard as they can and 2) failing to first spin and crank on the nut to seat the bearing, which leaves the bearing way loose.

The third mistake is starting a land-war in Asia.

 

[det107]

Don't forget the ABS ring(s) if truck has front ABS brakes-

 

[06RangerXLT]

Don't forget the ABS ring(s) if truck has front ABS brakes-

those should be in the rotor, which by the sounds of it, he is keeping.

 

[straycat]

I hope you get those wheel bearings together, Bro. I know it is a bit difficult doing something your first time. A buddy with experience is a must at times…lol
I really think that everybody who is not familiar with a new vehicle should really own a repair manual. I know it can help in many ways. You can get them new or used on Ebay or buy it at a parts store.

My dad got me my first motorcycle when we lived in Africa. He got me a Moto Gussi 125 Enduro type bike. He disassembled it and made me put it back together. It took me three weeks to put the motor back together and put the electrics all together so I had lights and all my switch gear worked again. I ordered a manual from Italy a few weeks later and I rode out to the mail plane to get the mail one day and my new manual was there. I still have that manual. My dad wanted me to learn how to work on that bike in case I had issues while riding out in the wilderness. My dad did not want a lion, cheetah or a rhino getting me if I had problems and had to walk home..lol

 

[AgPete139]

I just changed my wheel bearings a few days ago. I'm beginning to think I should go back and recheck my torque specs.

 

[AgPete139]

But yes, an inner and an outer wheel bearing are necessary, as well as actual wheel bearing grease, not multipurpose lithium grease. It wont endure the stress and heat caused by the wheel bearings, and will wear out quickly.

A pair of good wheel bearings should only cost $30...cheap ones for $12.

 

[doorgunner]

annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd.....if your not absolutely positive that you can do the bearing replacement correctly........GET A KNOWLEDGEABLE FRIEND/MECHANIC TO SHOW YOU HOW......you don't want a front wheel seizing up or falling off at any speed !

 

[Dweano]

Hope you boys are ready for my life story...i dunno why but I am going to type er out haha.

I got my Ranger when I was like...17 I am going to say. Didn't know a thing about vehicles. Through mostly creeping on TRS I figured some things out. I put on a body lift (took me 3 weeks...mostly due to being lazy and rust destroying my motivation) but I eventually got it on. Really the first thing I did. I eventually managed to not screw up putting a suspension lift on. Put on headers, did some other minor stuff. Nothing real big. The big things (besides headers, that was a tough enough job) were done by Nathan. Which really consisted of regearing/rebuilding the front and rear diffs. I know nothing about front ends. Well...I know the gist ...there is brakes and bearings and stuff in there but other then that. Its not entirely clear in my mind. I have a 2001 Ranger, and I swapped the front end onto my 1996 Ranger. There is a thread on TRS somewhere about that. Haha

Now I am selling the 2001 Ranger but it needed a mechanical and structural inspection (passed the structural and now I am on the mechanical) so it needs...

-new drums
-new shoes
-lower ball joints
-front wheel bearings
-LF rotor needs replacing

All this needs to be replaced and then the safety needs to get all wrapped up and then I need to rig up mounts to swap the bumpers on both Rangers...all before I go to school in about 10 days. So I was all panicked about getting the right stuff because I went to the city and got it all today. Now I have to try to get my 1996 Ranger back together (the rear suspension is apart...trying to put on new shackles) and then I will put my stonecrusher steering on the 1996...then I can get started on the 2001 and hopefully get all the things it needs done done.

So...Ill be busy the next week...but I do have a Haynes (semi helpful) and a mechanic apprentice friend. So that is positive...but I should almost start a "get Dweanos rangers back on the road" thread...cuz I am sure I will have a plethora of questions over the next while on all sorts of topics...but I always have TRS to stumble back upon Anyways...I dunno why I just typed all that...but thats what happening with my trucks

Cheers. Haha