How to Replace Hub Bearings on a 2003 Explorer Sport Trac

The 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac front end bore the design of a traditional Explorer, but it had a 50-by-41.2-inch cargo bed in the rear. Just like the Explorer, the 2003 Sport Trac came standard with a 210-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 and two-wheel drive. The front hub bearings on the base level Explorer Sport Trac are a two-piece variety, meaning there is one inner and one outer bearing inside each brake rotor. Replacing the front hub bearings on the 2003 Explorer Sport Trac requires a specific torque sequence.

Instructions

Bearing Removal

1

Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheel with the failed bearings, using a breaker bar and socket. Lift the front of the Explorer Sport Trac with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the frame rails. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel off the SUV.

2

Remove the two brake caliper bracket-to-steering knuckle bolts, using a breaker bar and socket. Lift the caliper, brake pads and bracket from the steering knuckle as one assembly. Hang the assembly from the front spring, using a bungee strap.

3

Pry the grease cap from the center of the brake rotor with a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the cotter pin from the spindle shaft with needle-nose pliers and pull the castellated nut retainer from the spindle shaft. Remove the spindle shaft nut with a ratchet and socket.

4

Pull the rotor outward to disengage the outer wheel bearing and washer. Pull the bearing and washer from the spindle shaft.

5

Thread the spindle nut onto the spindle shaft two or three turns. Pull the rotor outward until you feel the inner wheel bearing contact the spindle nut. Pull outward sharply on the rotor to pop the bearing and grease seal from the rotor.

6

Remove the nut from the spindle shaft. Pull the rotor, inner wheel bearing and grease seal from the spindle shaft.

Bearing Race Removal

7

Set the rotor onto two 4-inch-tall blocks of wood with its wheel studs facing downward. Insert a drift punch into the hole in the center of the rotor until it contacts the innermost edge of the outer bearing race -- the metal cylinder the bearing rides on.

8

Tap around the perimeter of the bearing race, using the drift punch and a hammer, until the race falls from the center of the rotor.

9

Flip the rotor over and insert the drift punch until it contacts the innermost edge of the inner bearing race. Repeat Step 2 to remove the inner bearing race.

Bearing Race Installation

10

Clean the hole in the center of the rotor thoroughly with parts cleaner and a thick shop cloth. Set the rotor onto the blocks of wood with the wheel studs facing upward.

11

Select a bearing race driver that matches the outer bearing races circumference. Press the bearing race into the hole in the center of the rotor with its coned side going in first. Drive the race into the rotor until it seats into place, using the selected race driver and a hammer.

12

Flip the rotor over and select a bearing race driver that matches the circumference of the inner bearing race. Set the inner bearing race onto the hole in the center of the rotor, with its coned end leading into the rotor. Set a bearing race driver on top of the race and tap the driver with a hammer until the race seats into place inside the rotor.

Greasing and Installing Bearings

13

Clean the spindle shaft with parts cleaner and wipe any old grease off it with a lint-free cloth.

14

Place a generous amount of wheel bearing grease meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B into the palm of your hand and roll the inner wheel bearing through the grease. Continue rolling the bearing through the grease until the bearing will not accept any additional grease. Repeat this step for the outer wheel bearing, but set the outer wheel bearing on a clean, lint-free cloth for later installation.

15

Install the new inner bearing, conical end first, into the center of the rotor. Set a new grease seal over the inner bearing and drive the grease seal into place with a grease seal driver and hammer.

16

Guide the rotor, with the new bearing and seal installed, onto the spindle shaft. Hold the rotor upward off the spindle shaft and slide the outer wheel bearing onto the spindle, cone end first, and guide it into the center of the rotor.

17

Slide the bearing washer into place on the spindle shaft. Thread the spindle nut onto the spindle. Spin the rotor counterclockwise as you tighten the spindle nut to 21 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket. Loosen the spindle nut a half turn.

18

Spin the rotor clockwise as you tighten the spindle nut to 17 inch-pounds, using an inch-pound torque wrench and socket. Install the castellated nut retainer over the spindle nut, so one of its valleys aligns with the hole through the spindle shaft.

19

Guide a new cotter pin through the hole in the spindle shaft, then bend the pins legs in opposite directions around the retainer, using needle-nose pliers. Press the grease cap onto the center of the rotor, then seat it by tapping it inward with a rubber mallet.

20

Lower the caliper, pads and bracket assembly over the rotor and onto the steering knuckle. Hand-tighten the caliper brackets retaining bolts, then tighten them to 83 foot-pounds.

21

Install the front wheel and hand-tighten its lug nuts. Raise the vehicle off the jack stands and remove the stands. Lower the Sport Trac to the ground and tighten its lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds, using a crisscross pattern.