How do you replace the front wheel bearing assembly on a 1996-1999 Sable - Taurus?

Answer 1

To begin, jack up the car and remove the wheel. Be certain the car is stable and will not roll off jack(s)!

A lot of folks like to think this is complicated and hard without some difficult tools, but it's so easy compared to a ball joint, it's scary.

Remove the brake caliber and the brake pads/rotor. Support the brake caliper with a wire connected to the Strut Tower.

Remove the spindle nut on the end of the drive axle. On the opposite side of the hub bearing are 3 bolts that hold it in there. Using a short-socket 15-18mm and a breaker bar or 1/2'' ratchet, loosen each of the bolts, then once all are loosened, remove them.

Believe it or not, unless the hub assembly is damaged, this thing will litterally fall out (in my case on my foot). Just take grease, (I like axle grease) and slide the new one in, aligning the holes, and getting the bolts back in the right place. Tighten them once all are in place. Put your car back together, retighten the axle nut, (with washer) and your done.

They tried to tell me at various places I needed all sorts of tools, and couldn't do this myself, but on the 1998 Sable, it couldn't have been easier. Now contrast that to the Ball Joint, which is so hard, I'd have taken that to a mechanic had I had the money.

REMOVE FRONT WHEEL, BRAKE CALIPER (13MM SOCKET); CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET (15MM)AND AXLE NUT. YOU'LL THEN BE ABLE MOVE THE HUB ASSEMBLY IN A TINY BIT TO MAKE IT EASIER TO REMOVE THE 3 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE HUB ON. WHEN YOU TIGHTEN THE AXLE NUT DONT BE AFRAID TO MAKE IT EXTREMELY TIGHT 250FT LBS

The answer to "How to change a wheel..."remove the wheel, and the brake caliper. unbolt the spindle nut (30mm) and the lower ball joint and push the spindle out of the bearing/hub. undo three bolts from the back side of the knuckle that are holding the wheel bearing package on. then knock off the old wheel bearing with a hammer. lube the new one and press it in, then put things back together in reverse.

NOTE: Autozone now requires (March 09) free registration to access the repair guides. More than worth the extra effort for these photo/illustrated instructions.

remove the wheel, and the brake caliper. unbolt the spindle nut (30mm) and the lower ball joint and push the spindle out of the bearing/hub. undo three bolts from the back side of the knuckle that are holding the wheel bearing package on. then knock off the old wheel bearing with a hammer. lube the new one and press it in, then put things back together in reverse.

I have a 1997 Mercury Sable but I think it is still the same as you 99...

First remove the tire, then remove brake caliper (15mm) and the wheel/axle nut (30mm).

Then remove the outer tie-rod end nut (18mm) and disconnect the tie-rod end. This will allow you to turn the hub enough so that you can push the cv halfshalf out.

After the axle is out of the hub or loose enough, you will have access to the 3 screws holding the hub/wheel bearing assamble from behind (15mm)... after you remove the screws you just have to pull the assembly out.. it's not easy but what I did was just hammer it out from behind.

Make sure you clean the area well and perhaps even lubricate it a little bit so you can push the new hub/wheel bearing assembly in.

Installation is just the opposite of removal. I purchased the new hub/wheel baring assembly from Autozone for $69.

I hope this will be helpful to you...good luck!

* remove the wheel, and the brake caliper. * unbolt the spindle nut (30mm) and the lower ball joint * push the spindle out of the bearing/hub. * undo three bolts from the back side of the knuckle that are holding the wheel bearing package on. * knock off the old wheel bearing with a hammer. * lube the new one and press it in, then put things back together in reverse.

Is the Hub/Bearing pressed into the steering knuckle?Since at least 1996, the bearing/hub assembly has been simply bolted to the steering knuckle. This makes replacement a whole lot "easier"

That is correct, the bearing is in a complete hub assembly. You do not need to press in the bearing. Bearings for a 2000 Ford Taurus (Front) can be purchased at http://mibearings.com/paypalparts/513100.html

On to the repair instructions and advice...

The hub bearing is purchased a whole unit.

no bearung change!

you can go to napa auto parts they have them I just did 2 front hubs for 97.00 cdn each.

ps b 4 doing the job make sure your wheel nuts fit your new hub

I experienced that my new hubs were diffrnt size

See "Related Questions" below for the Autozone Chiltons repair manual section on front wheel bearing/hub replacement for the 2000-2005 Taurus / Sable

NOTE: Autozone now requires free registration to access the repair guides. More than worth the extra effort for these photo/illustrated instructions.