How to Replace the Front Wheel Hub on a 2005 Taurus

The 2005 Ford Taurus was equipped with three versions of a 3.0-liter V-6 engine; a Flex-Fuel, SOHC and a standard SFI. The hub assemblies on the front of the 2005 Taurus are a three-bolt hub bearing assembly. The wheel bearing hub assembly is attached to the front of the steering knuckle, beneath the front disc brake assembly. Replacement of the hub bearing requires disassembling the front brake parts and other steering components.

Instructions

1

Remove the center cap or the wheel cover from the side of the Taurus on which you are working, using a small pry bar or flat-head screwdriver. Insert a spindle nut socket onto the axle nut. Install a 1/2-inch-drive breaker bar onto the socket, then rotate the nut counterclockwise to loosen it. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts with a tire iron. Raise the front of the Taurus with a jack. Place jack stands beneath the front subframe. Lower the Taurus onto the stands. Remove the wheel lug nuts, then remove the front wheel.

2

Insert a small pry bar between the front lip of the caliper and the front face of the rotor. Gently pry the caliper outward a couple of millimeters to loosen the pads from the rotors. Remove the caliper mounting bracket bolts from the inboard side of the steering knuckle, using the breaker bar and a socket. Remove the caliper and bracket from the brake assembly, and hang them from the front coil spring using a metal clothes hanger. Do not let the assembly hang from the rubber hose to which the caliper is attached.

3

Remove the two small rotor clips from the wheel studs. Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry the clips slightly away from the rotor face, then cut the clips off the studs with side cutters. Remove the brake rotor and set it out of your work area, onto a clean surface.

4

Turn the axle nut counterclockwise until the outer lip of the nut is flush with the end of the axle. Hit the axle straight on with a rubber dead-blow hammer. If this does not loosen the axle from the center of the hub bearing assembly, install a three-pronged puller around the protruding hub face. Install the threaded center bolt into the recess at the end of the axle. Turn the threaded bolt clockwise with a ratchet and socket until the axle pops loose from the hub bearing.

5

Remove the cotter pin from the outer tie rod ball stud using pliers. Remove the castle nut from the ball stud using a ratchet and socket. Pull the outer tie rod up and out of the steering knuckle using a small pry bar if needed. Do not pry on the outer tie rod rubber boot or you will break the boot and ruin the tie rod end. Use the rubber dead-blow hammer to lightly tap the tie rod up while you pry, if needed.

6

Turn the steering knuckle assembly so the forward-facing edge is completely turned inward toward the engine. Remove the hub bearing upper bolt and lower rear bolt using a ratchet and socket. Turn the steering knuckle in the opposite direction to remove the lower front hub bearing mounting bolt.

7

Disconnect by hand the wheel speed sensor connector from the inboard side of the wheel bearing hub assembly. Tuck the electrical connector out of the way of the hub bearing removal area. Pull the hub assembly off the steering knuckle. If the hub is stuck, use the dead-blow hammer to strike the protruding hub face outward until the bearing falls loose. Use a metal hammer to strike the protruding hub face outward -- but only as a last resort.

8

Clean the entire steering knuckle hub mounting area using a wire brush and 80-grit metal sandpaper. Be sure to clean the inner edges of the large hub bearing mounting hole. Apply a thin layer of grease to the inside edges of the mounting hole and the mounting bolt holes. Install the new hub bearing over the axle shaft and onto the steering knuckle, making sure the wheel speed sensor port is turned upward toward the rear of the Taurus.

9

Install the hub bearing mounting bolts a few threads inward to ensure proper threading. Tighten the wheel bearing mounting bolts to 70 foot-pounds, using a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and socket. Place a light coating of grease onto the protruding face of the new hub. Install the brake rotor onto the new hub.

10

Insert two new retainer clips onto two of the wheel studs, and push them onto the studs until they are flush with the outer rotor face. Spray the entire rotor clean on the front and back using aerosol brake cleaner. Failure to clean dirt and greasy fingerprints off the rotor rapidly ruins your brake pads when you drive the car. Install the brake caliper and bracket assembly, then tighten the bracket bolts to 41 foot-pounds using a torque wrench and socket. Install by hand the speed sensor onto the new hub bearing.

11

Install the outer tie rod end back into the steering knuckle using the dead-blow hammer to slightly tap the end down if needed. Install a new castle nut onto the ball stud, and tighten it to 76 foot-pounds. Install the cotter pin through the castle nut recess and the hole in the outer tie rod end. If the holes on these two parts are not aligned, slightly tighten the nut to align the holes. Never back a nut off to align cotter pin holes. Lock the cotter pin by bending it with pliers.

12

Install the axle shaft nut, and tighten the nut snug with the breaker bar and spindle nut socket. Do not attempt to torque the axle nut with the car sitting on jack stands. Install the front wheel onto the car, and tighten the lug nuts snug with a tire iron.

13

Repeat steps 1 through 11 to complete the second side of the Taurus, if needed. Raise the front of the Taurus off the jack stands, then remove the stands from beneath the car. Lower the car to the ground and tighten the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds, using a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and wheel nut socket. Tighten the axle nut to 184 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and spindle nut socket. Install the center cap or wheel cover back onto the Taurus.