1999 Ford Windstar Replacing driver side front hub/bearing

REDTRUCK1

MEMBER
1999 FORD WINDSTAR
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
192,000 MILES

I am in the process of replacing the driver side front hub bearing assy (roaring noise is occuring when drivein). I have removed the brake caliper, the axle nut, the abs sensor, discontected the top steering linkage, and am tring to get the bottom linkage out. It seems to require a lot of prying to get the pin on the joint low enough to remove from the wheel knuckle. So far I have been unsuccessful in this step.

Also I have pushed the splined axle end out of the back of the bearing assy but it won't go all the way at present. I am trying to get to the three bolts on the rear of the knuckle that hold the hub/bearing assembly on. Any suggestions?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,741 POSTS

Hi red, Randy here. I've been waiting for some smart people to reply, but since that hasn't happened yet, I'll give it a shot.

Descrbe your new bearing assembly. Is it the pressed-in type that is just the bearing? That's what Ford and Chrysler used to use in the 1980s. Or do you have the newer hub assembly with wheel studs, that bolts to the steering knuckle?

If you have the bolt-on style, you don't have to take all the stuff apart you're describing. If you have to separate the steering knuckle from the lower ball joint, you must support the vehicle under the frame or cross member. If your jackstand is under the control arm, you will never get enough leverage to pry the control arm down. You will typically need a 4' pry bar to move the lower control arm enough to get the tapered stud out of the steering knuckle.

Caradiodoc