Changing Rear Wheel Bearings?

Question

Hello!I have a 2003 Focus, one of whose rear wheel bearings needs repair.For a while, we had trouble figuring out how to remove the wheel drumat all (until a search on the internet, of course), but have seenadvice to not remove the center nut.Is there a way to get at the bearings without breaking off that nut andreplacing it? Or advice about replacing/fixing rear wheel bearings onthe focus in general?(My question is probably ill formed, due to lack of knowledge about thecars, but I'm passing whatever information I get onto my father, who'llunderstand it)Thanks!Denise

ArcadeForever · Accepted Answer

HI Denise,as always, I would suggest getting the manual for your car. You have toremove the wheel nut with socket and rachet in order to remove the reardrums. Luckily you dont have a disc on the back so you can actuallychange the wheel bearings yourself (or get your dad to do it). You willneed a pair of snap ring pliers to remove the wheel bearing retainingclip. LMK if you need anything else.AF     wrote:

wichinco · Answer

Hi, Thanks for the quick reply. I am Denise's father. That clip you aretalking about , is that what locks the retaining nut inplace. Thank youfor your help BillArcadeForever wrote:

ArcadeForever · Answer

Hi Bill,Actually no, there will be a cotter pin locking the nut on. Remove thecotter pin by cutting it out (Get a new one from your local Autozone,Ford dealer or where ever) as you shouldnt reuse the old pin.. use yoursocket to undo the nut then remove it and probably a washer and putthem aside (maybe in a hubcap so they dont get lost!). At this pointyou will be ready to pull the drum off. If it doesnt come off get ahammer and hit the top, right, left and bottom, not really hard, butwhat happens sometimes is that the brakes will lock to the drum andhitting the drum with a hammer will release the shoes. then you shouldbe able to pull the drum off, when you do, put it lug side down on arag so you dont damage the lugs. Next step get the bearing out... putyour circlip out with your circlip pliers... At this point you will beready to pull your old bearing out... looking further at the manual, itseems that it will need to be pressed out... Depending how muchaggrivation you would like to go...

Changing Rear Wheel Bearings?

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