🔧 Wheel Bearing / Hub Assembly Replacement

On your Explorer, the wheel bearing is serviced as a hub assembly, not as a loose bearing. This means the wheel, brake parts, and steering knuckle must come apart so the hub can be removed and replaced as a unit.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours per corner

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the vehicle with jack stands on solid ground. Never rely on the jack alone.
• Block the rear wheels if you are working on the front, and block the front wheels if you are working on the rear.
• If your Explorer has an electronic parking brake on the rear, put it in service mode before rear brake work.
• Wheel bearing jobs require brake and suspension disassembly. Keep the brake hose from hanging by the hose.
• Use eye protection. Rust and metal debris will fall during removal.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Metric socket set
• Metric wrench set
• Ratchet
• 24mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torx socket set
• Hex bit set
• Impact gun
• Dead blow hammer
• Trim tool
• Penetrating oil
• Bungee cord
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Pick tool
• Rubber mallet

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wheel hub and bearing assembly - Qty: 1
• Rear wheel hub and bearing assembly - Qty: 1
• New axle nut - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper bracket bolts - Qty: 2
• ABS wheel speed sensor seal or retaining clip - Qty: 1
• Penetrating rust cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the wheel lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• If doing the rear, put the parking brake in service mode first if equipped with electronic parking brake.
• Work on one side at a time so you can use the other side as a visual reference.
• Spray rusty fasteners early.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the vehicle

• Use a floor jack to lift the corner you are repairing.
• Support it with jack stands under the proper lift points.
• Remove the wheel with a 21mm socket or the size on your lug nuts.

Step 2: Remove the brake caliper and rotor

• Use the correct metric socket to remove the caliper bolts.
• Hang the caliper with a brake caliper hanger hook or bungee cord. Do not let it hang by the hose.
• Remove the caliper bracket with the proper socket.
• Slide the rotor off. If it is stuck, tap it gently with a rubber mallet.

Step 3: Disconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor and related clips

• Use a trim tool or pick tool to release any sensor wire clips from the knuckle.
• If the sensor or harness blocks hub removal, unbolt it with the correct Torx socket or metric socket and move it aside carefully.

Step 4: Remove the axle nut and separate the axle from the hub

• Use a 24mm socket and breaker bar to remove the axle nut.
• Push the axle inward slightly so it is free from the hub splines.
• Don’t hammer on the axle threads.

Step 5: Remove the hub assembly

• Use the correct metric socket to remove the hub mounting bolts from the back of the knuckle.
• If the hub is rusted in place, soak the mating area with penetrating oil and work it loose with a dead blow hammer.
• Remove the hub and bearing assembly from the knuckle.

Step 6: Clean the mounting surface

• Use a wire brush or pick tool to clean rust and dirt from the knuckle face.
• Make sure the mounting surface is flat and clean so the new hub seats fully.

Step 7: Install the new hub assembly

• Position the new front wheel hub and bearing assembly or rear wheel hub and bearing assembly into the knuckle.
• Start all hub bolts by hand first.
• Tighten the hub bolts with a torque wrench to factory specification.
• Install a new axle nut and snug it by hand.

Step 8: Reassemble the brake and wheel

• Reinstall the rotor, caliper bracket, and caliper using the correct socket.
• Torque the brake fasteners to factory specification with a torque wrench.
• Reconnect the ABS sensor wiring and all clips.
• Install the wheel and tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts to factory specification.

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal before moving the vehicle.
• Check that the ABS light is off.
• Road test at low speed first, then listen for noise changes during turns.
• Recheck for any loose fasteners after the test drive.
• If the noise is still there, the other side may also be worn.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$750 per corner (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$280 per corner (parts only)

You Save: $230-$470 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.