How do you replace rear wheel bearing on a 2007 ford explorer sport trac?

Answer 1

Unless you have a bearing press with proper adapters, you will NOT be able to remove the outer race from the knuckle/hub yourself. Your best bet is to remove the knuckle assembly, strip it to nothing but the knuckle, bearing and spindle and bring it to a shop that can kindly press the bearing out/in for you.

If you don't understand any of the following components - don't attempt this replacement:

You need to remove the entire hub assembly/knuckle assembly. Go to autozone.com for a free guide+diagram on this process. It basically involves jacking up the vehicle, remove the tire, the caliper and the speed sensor. Then loosen the upper link bolt - put a jack under the lower arm [under the shock/spring is ideal] and jack up until the upper link bolt moves freely without much resistance and remove the upper link bolt. At this point, I pressed out the halfshaft. I then unbolted the link [at the knuckle] that holds the trailing arm to the frame, and then the lower control arm to knuckle bolt. With the knuckle assembly hanging free, I then removed it from the trailing arm [3 bolts that are loctite in place] from the knuckle, remove parking brake cable and then the knuckle is free. From this point, [I was unable to previously remove my rotor since it was rusted on] I took the whole thing to my shop bench and removed the rotor, pads, dust shield and then took it locally to get the bearing changed and spindle pressed in. Reverse order to assemble. Make sure you use new bolts for your links and used a torque wrench.

DO NOT loosen any bolts attaching any of the links to the frame of the truck. The bushings are pre-set in position so they get a full range of motion with the suspension and if you remove a link [from the frame] and put it back in the wrong position you'll destroy your link bushings.

**There is also an alignment adjustment you'll screw up if you remove the trailing arm link to frame bolt so leave it alone.

If you are trying to save money and you are mechanically inclined; this shouldn't be a problem for you. You'll spend money on the bearing(s), new spindle(s) as well as the cost to have someone press them for you. Depending on the bearing make - this job can cost as little as 75 bucks.

Good luck.