Yesterday I tackled mom’s 02 Explorer. Just needed to do the right front wheel bearing for inspection and figured while I was in there I’d do the axle seal too. I’ll still have to do the other side, but just need to get one side fixed for the inspection quick because they’re holding the sticker. Well, apparently you have to take the upper ball joint free to get the axle shaft out to get the seal done and the rusty upper ball joint nut rounded off when I tried to remove it, so the seal didn’t get changed yet and a ball joint is on order. Whole control arm is in stock, but I’m not trying to get into all that.
As for the bearing, all the bolts came out nicely for that, but the f@#$&* thing was stuck like it was welded to the knuckle. Of course I don’t have a slide hammer attachment for that and the local parts store doesn’t sell them anymore. Ended up spending like 3 hours beating the ever loving snot out of it with a 20 ounce ball peen and a 3# sledge (thought of trying something bigger, but there’s only so much room to swing without being able to take the knuckle off and I didn’t want to cut off said upper ball joint without having a replacement on hand and the Explorer needing to go back to the shop for the sticker today). Apparently all that pounding tightened up the wheel bearing because the old one no longer rattles, lol. Anyway, it’s off and the new one is on.
Also gave in and bought a 250# torque wrench…