How do you change front wheel bearings on 2003 ford focus?

Answer 1

That is untrue. You can but a hub/bearing kit online. It should come with a hub, bearing, retaining clip (snap ring) and the spindle lock nut (36mm).

Now to actually replace the bearings you need to remove your steering knuckle from all suspension parts: Lower control arm, tie rod end, strut assembly, stabilizer bar linkage, and the cv axle. Remember it's best to break the torque on the spindle lock nut (36mm) while the car is on the ground and everything is still connected.

Once everything is removed, you should have just a steering knuckle with a wobbly hub. In some cases the hub will just slide out. The retaining clip should be removed from the rear side of the steering knuckle. This is going to take some snap ring pliers unless you have another method. Then the hub needs to be pressed out of the bearing (through the front) and the bearing needs to be pressed out (through the rear) . Make sure steering knuckle is useable. In some cases the bearings will be completely annihilated. I saw an 03 focus where the driver kept on driving with shot bearings. Part of the inner races of the bearing were still stuck to the old hub and part of the outer races were stuck to the inside of the steering knuckle (races are the inner and outer rings that hold the ball bearings on track). When i pulled the tire, caliper, and rotor off of the vehicle, the hub slid out like nothing. Ball bearings fell everywhere. The problem with this was that since the bearing races were attached to two separate parts I was unable to press the outer race out of the steering knuckle. This ultimately led the driver to have to purchase a new steering knuckle.

A caveat, when you use the older knuckle for new bearings you can run into two problems. One is that with all the destruction going on in that area the heat can be enormous. This can cause the outer races to heat weld to the steering knuckle. The other problem is that these outer races could have possible started spinning inside of the knuckle. This causes wear on the inside of the knuckle. If you try and press a bearing into a knuckle that has been worn it will go in. The problem is that when you start driving, that bearing isn't going to be functioning properly because the outer races won't be tight enough against the knuckle.

So once you figured out what parts are useable and you have everything ready, you need to press the bearings into the knuckle through the rear, insert retaining clip, and press hub into bearing. Once that is completed reinstallation is the reverse of removal. When i say press make sure it is a press, not a vice. I'm not saying it's not possible to use a vice on it, it's just not recommended. They sell bearing driver kits online as well.

I've always recommended a Haynes or Chilton's maintenance manual just so you can have your torque specs on any part. Plus it also saves time, instead of going online to find someone to help.