I’m not hungry, that’s just the Explorer rumbling!
10/18/2007
Matt is an old friend from high school and he and I have gone to lunch on a weekly basis ever since. I look forward to getting out of the shop and having a nice meal. This week, Matt picked me up in his 2004 Ford Explorer, and I couldn’t help but notice the rumbling sound coming from the rear of the truck. I thought I was hungry, but the Explorer sounded like it was ready to eat itself!
Some 2002-2005 Explorer, Mountaineer and 2003- 2005 Aviator vehicles may exhibit a noise from the rear wheel hub bearings. Replace the rear hub bearing and wheel bearing retainer ring. Refer to the service procedure.
Parts required are one 3L2Z-1215-AA Rear Wheel Bearing and one 5L2Z-1A124-A Snap Ring per wheel.
Applicable Vehicles: Ford – 2002-2005 Explorer; Lincoln – 2003-2005 Aviator and Mercury – 2002-2005 Mountaineer
Repair Procedure:
(Review safety procedures in the ALLDATA system before beginning.)
CAUTION: Suspension fasteners are critical. When replacing suspension fasteners, use original equipment fasteners, or fasteners of equivalent quality and design. Do not install a replacement fastener of lesser quality or different design. Proper torque values must be observed during reassembly to ensure correct retention of all components. Make sure the fasteners are reinstalled in the same orientation as when removed.
CAUTION: Do not loosen the axle wheel hub retainer until the wheel and tire are removed from the vehicle. Wheel bearing damage will occur if the wheel bearing is unloaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.
NOTE: Have an assistant press the brake pedal to keep the axle from turning.
1. Remove the axle-to-wheel hub retainer nut and washer (Figure 1). Discard the nut. When reinstalling at end of procedure, tighten to 203 lb-ft (275 Nm).
2. Remove the bolt and disconnect the wheel speed sensor (see Figure 2). To install, tighten to 71 lb-in (8 Nm).
3. Remove the parking brake shoes.
4. Remove and discard the toe linkto- wheel knuckle nut. To install, tighten to 66 lb-ft (90 Nm).
CAUTION: Do not damage the boot while separating the toe link from the wheel knuckle.
5. Remove the bolt and separate the toe link from the wheel knuckle.
6. Remove and discard the upper arm-to-wheel knuckle nut. To install, tighten to 66 lb-ft (90 Nm).
CAUTION: Do not damage the boot while separating the ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
7. Remove the bolt and separate the upper arm from the wheel knuckle.
8. Using the Special Tool 205-D070 (D93P-1175-B), or equivalent, press the outboard CV joint until it is loose from the hub (see Figure 3).
9. Remove and discard the lower arm-to-wheel knuckle nut. To install, tighten to 111 lb-ft (150 Nm).
10. Remove the lower arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt.
11. Remove the wheel knuckle.
12. Remove the three (3) brake disc shield-to-wheel knuckle bolts (see Figure 4). To install, tighten to 10 lb-ft (13 Nm).
13. Using a suitable press, remove the wheel hub (see Figure 5).
14. Remove the brake disc shield.
NOTE: This step may not be necessary if the inner wheel bearing race remains in the wheel knuckle after removing the wheel hub.
15. Using Special Tool 205-D002, or equivalent, press the inner wheel bearing race from the wheel hub (see Figure 6).
16. Remove the wheel bearing retainer ring.
17. Using a suitable press, remove and discard the wheel bearing.
18. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
NOTE: During reassembly always install new:
• Axle-to-wheel hub retainer nut;
• Toe link-to-wheel knuckle nut;
• Upper arm-to-wheel knuckle nut;
• Lower arm-to wheel knuckle nut; and
• Wheel bearing.
Written by ALLDATA Technical Editor, Eric Seifert. Eric is an ASE certified Master Technician and Engine Machinist. He is a graduate of the De Anza College Automotive Technology Program, with 20 years of independent shop and parts store experience.