How to Change a Wheel Bearing on a Ford Taurus

The wheel bearings in a Ford Taurus are located in the hub/bearing assembly. Replacing the hub/bearing assembly is a straightforward process -- remove the brakes, then the bearing, and reassemble.

Removal

Raise the vehicle with the jack and support it with a jack stand, and remove the wheel with the lug wrench. It may be necessary to slightly loosen the lug nuts before jacking the car up.

Position the jack stand on the frame away from your work area to avoid interference with your work.

Remove the two 15-mm caliper attaching bolts and hang the caliper with a wire from the strut. This prevents strain on the brake hose attached to the caliper. Remove the two 15-mm caliper bracket bolts, lay the bracket off to the side, and slide the rotor off the hub assembly.

Loosen, then remove the 36-mm axle nut, and drive the axle shaft partly out of the hub/bearing assembly using the punch and hammer. Select a large enough punch to fit snug in the dimple on the very end of the shaft. Pounding on the shaft itself will distort the threads and damage the axle.

Remove the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle by removing the cotter pin and nut, then pressing the tie rod loose with the puller. Another way to release the tie rod, if a puller is not available, is to strike the steering arm near the tie rod with a hard blow from the hammer. A few hits usually pops it loose.

Rotate the steering knuckle while pushing the axle through, toward the transmission, to gain access to the retaining bolts on the back side of the steering knuckle. Remove the three 15-mm bolts and disconnect the anti-lock brake sensor. Then slide the hub and bearing assembly from the steering knuckle.

Replacement

Slip the axle shaft into the center of the new hub/bearing assembly, and rotate the hub until it engages the splines on the shaft. Then slide the assembly into place in the steering knuckle. Install and tighten the three 15-mm hub retaining bolts.

Reinstall the tie rod end, tighten the retaining nut securely, and replace the cotter pin. Be sure and spread the ends of the cotter pin so that it can't fall out while driving.

Reinstall the axle nut, and tighten securely. Refer to the service manual for the torque specifications for this nut, and tighten to specs with a torque wrench. Torque specs vary for different year models of the Taurus.

Reinstall the rotor, caliper bracket, and caliper in the reverse order of disassembly. Then reinstall the wheel and lower the vehicle back onto the ground.