1998 ford explorer 2 wheel drive rear wheel bearing replacement

SOURCE: rear wheel bearing

SECTION 205-02B: Rear Drive Axle/Differential — Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual IN-VEHICLE REPAIR Axle Shaft Removal

1. Raise and support the vehicle. For additional information, refer to Section 100-02 .

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. For additional information, refer to Section 204-04 .

1. Remove the rear brake disc (2C026). For additional information, refer to Section 206-04 .

1. Remove the differential housing cover (4033) and drain the lubricant. For additional information, refer to Differential Housing Cover in this section.

1. Remove the differential pinion shaft (4211).
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt (4241).
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-ring in the axle shaft groove.
   Remove the U-washer (4N237).
   1. Push the axle shafts (4234) inboard.
   1. Remove the U-washer.

1. CAUTION: Damage to the rear brake anti-lock sensor (2C190) may occur if it is not removed before the axle shaft.
   Carefully remove the rear brake anti-lock sensor. For additional information, refer to Section 206-09A .

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel bearing oil seal.
   Remove the axle shaft.

1. Remove the axle shaft (4234). For additional information, refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

1. NOTE: If the wheel bearing oil seal is leaking, the axle housing vent may be plugged.
   Using the special tools, remove the rear wheel bearing and wheel bearing oil seal.

1. Lubricate the new rear wheel bearing with the specified lubricant.

1. Using the special tools, install the new rear wheel bearing.

1. Lubricate the lip of the new wheel bearing oil seal.
   • Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

1. Using the special tools, install the new wheel bearing oil seal.

1. Install the axle shaft. For additional information, refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

1. Lubricate the lip of the wheel bearing oil seal
   • Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel bearing oil seal.
   Install the two axle shafts.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-ring in the axle shaft groove.
   Install the U-washer.
   1. Position the two U-washers on the button end of the axle shaft.
   1. Pull the axle shaft outward.

1. NOTE: If a new pinion shaft lock bolt is unavailable, coat the threads with Threadlock and Sealer EOAZ-19554-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSK-M2G351-A5 prior to installation.
   Install the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Align the hole in the differential pinion shaft with the case lock bolt hole.
   1. Install a new differential pinion shaft lock bolt.

1. Install the differential housing cover and fill the rear axle with the specified lubrication. For additional information, refer to Differential Housing Cover in this section.

1. Install the rear brake anti-lock sensor. For additional information, refer to Section 206-09A .

1. Install the rear brakes. For additional information, refer to Section 206-04 .

1. Install the tire and wheel assembly. For additional information, refer to Section 204-04 .

1. Lower the vehicle.

SOURCE: Rear Axle Bearing

i know for a fact that the bearing comes with the hub., and if the old bearing is badly damage you may need to heat it to remove it from the axel...so this may be a rather big job if your not equipt
with torch or other ...

SOURCE: Left rear axle seal is leaking differental oil.

ok then here is the procedure  1 take off the axle nut
2 on the lower control arm you will find a large nut and bolt i belive the nut is a 21mm and the bolt side is an 18mm. this bolt is the one at the knuckle near the brakes. remove it
3 you will need to pull the knuckle out of the way or a helper to pull the knuckle out of the way so you can slip the axle out of the knuckle.( its a tight fit but there is room to slip it out.)
4 use a pry bar to pop the axle free of the diff. hosing its held in by a spring clip make sure the clip comes out with the axle if it gets stuck inside you will have to fish it out.
5 use a pry bar or screwdriver to pry seal out of housing then use a flat object that contacts the entire rim of the new seal so it can evenly be installed with out getting smashed and tap it in with a hammer. ( a good trick here is to use some grease and pack it into the new seal where the spring is this will prevent the spring from being shocked out of the seal during instalation . the spring keeps tension on the rubber in the seal so it stays tight to the shaft it is sealing.)
6 then revers the above steps. also make sure you are using the right gear lube it will most likely be 75w-140 but make sure you check your owners manual will tell you if it doesnt say on the diff cover. you can cause a lot of damage if you put in the wrong thing. and make sure  you feel the axle spring clip snap into place.
as a note there are two types of axle seals that are used on these so if the new seal looks different than the old seal then the folliowing will be important to you.the seals on these have been redesigned so if you axle has what looks like a cup or dust cover pressed onto the shaft where it goes into the diff the new style does not use this and it will prevent the axle form going in all the way so the spring clip will not lock in and you will have a leak. so you will have to remove it and install the axle without it.

SOURCE: replace rear wheel bearing 2002 ford explorer 4x4

you must remove brakes, then remove axle nut, then remove upper control arm and finally tie rod stabilizer, remove axle from car then bearing can be accessed. this is a difficult job that requires special tools so be careful

SOURCE: replace front wheel bearings 99 ford explorer

not press fitted, standard tapered bearings, if 4X4 it is a little more involved, just dont misplace any of the smaller parts and you will be fine.

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