I need to replace my front wheel bearings on a 2WD Ranger...any suggestions?

 

I just did mine on my 1999. Scheduled maintanence for the 1999 calls for inspect and adjust every 30,000, lubricate at 120,000. Pretty easy to do, no special tools required, use Ford parts only.

 

Might as well replace the grease seals too, since they have to come out anyway. But maybe that was already on your list. How many miles on your "97"? If you don't have a torque wrench to set the bearing pre-load you can do this: To set the wheel bearing torque WITHOUT the torque wrench, just tighten the adjusting nut very snug to seat the inner and outer wheel bearings on the spindle; (making sure they are PACKED with fresh grease first) and then back off on the adjusting NUT until the wheel spins freely with no play in it. Put the nut-lock on and the cotter pin back in and you're set.

 

I dont know about using ford only bearings, just go to a bearing house and get some good ones along with the seals. will be a lot cheaper, but if you take care of the bearings even those from a parts house will last. I have 300K+ on my 94 and got the bearing at napa or from checkers cant remember! Anyhow the PIA is to change the races if/when you do R&R the bearings.

 

If you get the bearings from a Napa with a machine shop they can turn rotors and install the new bearings/races and repack with grease. Only thing you need to do is reinstall em. Not sure of the additional cost but money well spent for making the job easier.

 

I ended up bringing it to a shop near my house, & good thing too...there was a lot more work needed then I could do myself. But it is all fixed up now & ready to go!