How to Change a Front Wheel Bearing on a 2004 Cobra

Midway through the 1964 model year, Ford released the now famous Mustang. From 1974 through 1978, the Mustang went to a dark place, and the Mustang II reared its ugly head. Besides bearing the ugliest Mustangs ever tag, the Mustang II had one other legacy -- the first use of the Cobra name attached to the Mustangs body with the Cobra II. Unlike the Cobra II, the 2004 Cobra was far more than just some decals and a body kit; the 2004 Cobra pumped out 130 horsepower more than the standard 2004 Mustang GT. The front wheel bearing in the 2004 Cobra is a part of the front hub, so when the bearing fails, you must replace the entire hub.

Instructions

1

Loosen the front lug nuts on the wheel with the failed bearing using a ratchet and socket. Lift the front of the Mustang with a floor jack and set jack stands under the vehicles frame rails. Lower the Mustang onto the jack stands and remove the lug nuts. Pull the front wheel off.

2

Remove the two caliper bracket bolts with a ratchet and socket and lift the caliper, brake pads and caliper bracket off the steering knuckle as an assembly. Hang the caliper and its bracket from the front coil spring using a bungee strap.

3

Pull the rotor retaining washers the thin, washer-like components pressed onto the wheel studs from the wheel studs using needle-nose pliers. Discard the retaining washers; you do not need them for reassembly. Pull the rotor off the front hub. If the rotor is stuck, lightly tap the rear of the rotor with a rubber mallet to free it.

4

Pry the grease cap from the center of the hub using a flathead screwdriver. Remove the spindle nut using a ratchet, socket and breaker bar and discard the spindle nut. Pull the hub assembly from the steering knuckle.

5

Guide a new hub assembly onto the steering knuckle and hand-thread a new spindle nut onto the spindle shaft. Tighten the spindle nut to 258 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket. Set a new grease cap in place over the spindle nut and tap it into place with a rubber mallet.

6

Reinstall the rotor onto the hub and set the caliper, brake pads and caliper bracket onto the steering knuckle. Hand-thread the caliper bracket bolts, then torque them to 85 foot-pounds.

7

Install the front wheel onto the front hub and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the Mustang off the jack stands with a floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to 95 foot-pounds.