How do you replace a front wheel bearing on a Ford Laser?

Answer 1

Well replacing wheel bearings on a ford lazer (87) is not the easiest of jobs compared to some other small cars,

The front wheel bearing kit that you buy for a DIY job usually contains two cone shaped bearings (2 per side) , the housings that they go into , oil seals and a set of spacers ( 1 steel and several plastic ) that fit between the bearings,

Because the proper fitting of the bearings depends on the corrrect amount of these spacers being used, there is usually some instructions in the pack concerning this particular step in the process, and for the professionals it means machining up a dummy shaft to test out the fitting before replacing it on the car .

For the home job it may be best to have an old shaft that you have picked up from the wreakers to try it out on other wise its best to fit the whole lot together and check the play then take it off again and remove some spacers till you get it right.

BEST TIP : When you get the hubs off cleaned and the new bearings pressed on, take them to a mechanic who knows Ford lazers to fit the spacers, because they are out of the car it should not cost so much.

The process:

1. before you jack up the car loosen the locking nut on the outside of the wheel , use a flat head screwdriver to open the little flange on the front of the nut that has been hammered flat to stop it un winding . get someone to sit in the car and put their foot on the break .

2. jack up and remove wheel .

3.remove break caliper ( 2 x14 mill nuts top and bottom rear.) put it out og the way

4. loosen nuts and bolts on the strut ( 2x17mill)

5 .remove locking nut on the shaft ( the one you loosened before in 1.)

6.remove the tie rod end ( remove split pin loosen nut under and to break the joint, hit the side hard with a hammer.)

7. remove compleatly the nut and bolt on the ball joint underneath the hub.

8 . At this time the drive shaft should be loose in the hub , if not make it so .

9. now remove the bolts on the strut completely ( no 4.)

10. take the hub off the car and put it on the work work bench .

TIP: depending on you finances now would be a good time to take the hub to the mechanic or if you have a second hand hub from the wreckers just replace the old one with it .

11. OK ....... so you want to continue

12. un bolt the break discs and remove the bearings seals and the housings (press off, or use a blunt ended chisel to hammer them off ,preferably using a gear puller.) .... with patience ,

........ as this part is a little difficult to explain ( so if anyone has more knowledge please feel free to edit this )but if you have a set of the new bearings just look carefully at what you have got and whats coming off and you may be able to understand it .

13 .So now replace all the components in the right order and after the spacers are fitted properly put it all back together, making sure when you put the final hub nut on you tighten it firmly but not too tight and also knock the edge in with a screwdriver to lock it on .

Any way I hope this helps any one out there and .....

oh yeah

TIP: wear the disposible gloves so you dont get thet grease all over your hands

good luck .