I show a quick tip on removing the stubborn rear bearing on this 2013 Ford Explorer. This Process can be used on many different vehicles. -Enjoy!
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50 thoughts on “Wheel bearing removal trick”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nathan Smith says:

    Great tip, I appreciate it.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Trader Jack says:

    Pay attention ford lover’s! Lol

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars irgski says:

    Genius!

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars pork chop says:

    Eric you always know how to use leverage and pressure to your advantage. Awesome tips

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Phelan Pawly says:

    I couldn’t deal with all that rust and corrosion. You guys must spend forever drilling out broken bolts and studs. We don’t do the salty roads thing here in Oz. There’s gotta be a more vehicle friendly solution.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars William Reichley says:

    Yep somthings just don't matter if it's in the way ..get rid of it. An I was complaining doin front wheel bearings in 4×4 Ford, but Dang thts somthin else. Good stuff Man

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rob Johnson says:

    You never cease to amaze me my friend !!!

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Minnesota-Boston says:

    Good job with safety for yourself.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Pat Mays says:

    And two bolts, as well? Just thought id add this. But, at the end you do it anyway? That’s life! Ha. Well done, good post!

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Pat Mays says:

    Why don’t you remove two wheel studs? Then you wouldn’t have to keep moving the bolt?

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Casual Trips says:

    Not sure how this vehicle is setup but if you take that backing plate off, you can put a socket extension between the hub and something solid on the vehicle then get in and turn the wheel. I used to do that on my xj. Let the power steering do the work.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Effin Heavy says:

    I just replaced the front driver side and I used a 12ton press…bent the press getting that mofo apart. The bolt method you used in this viideo did not work for me. I left it in the press for 30 mins under pressure…then started hitting with a 3lb hammer before it came apart all at once very loudly!! Lol

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jocarr1791 says:

    Today I had an aluminum rim that was stuck on the front driver's side of my my '90 camaro…after several failed attempts to motivate it to come off, I loosely put the lug nuts back on, I turned the wheel to the right, stuck a block of wood between the rim and the lower control arm, started the car, held the brakes and turned to the left, and off it came.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mike Harrison says:

    The only way. Have videos from the dealership when we first found out these were a problem with 2 guys on big slide hammers not able to even start them loose. The bolt trick makes easy work of it.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dave at Southport says:

    That's an excellent tip, here's another, before fitting the new bearing place in the Freezer overnight, wear gloves!

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bmwlover1981 says:

    I stopped watching when they were using air hammers with no hearing protection. Common guys.

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Builds United says:

    Good stuff man! Longer thread and perhaps another bolt would do great justice for whenever I need to attempt this job

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Luke says:

    Genius! Your vids have helped me out on more then one occasion. Thanks for posting this!

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars gRosh08 says:

    Thanks for sharing.

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John M says:

    Iwas thinking if you had the Mrs helping or your mate, if you did both sides together she might just come right off.

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jose Rosas says:

    Great advice "Just remember if I can do it you can do it" 😎👍

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jose Rosas says:

    "Snap on off out of here" 😂 I always enjoy your sense of humor. It makes watching your videos that much more enjoyable.

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jacob sweeney says:

    Gotta buy a Air Chisel and a square spear chisel.

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sołtys says:

    This way you may bend hub by holding that nut behind you are effectively squeezing it. Why not use normal wheel hub removal tool?

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dan Lg says:

    This is the only video that i found on the internet that actually shows something that works EFFORTLESSLY. THANK YOU!

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars M Demers says:

    Hmmm. Hoping to try this method tomorrow AM to drive out my rear wheel hub on my Y2K Voyager. It snapped a couple wheel studs off because my state uses a ridiculous amount of liquid road de-icer every winter. Just getting the brake drum off defeated numerous YT mechanic tricks. No hole in the middle to drive it off. Banged on it for hours in every conceivable spot at every available angle. Heated it to smoking with an acetylene torch while it was tensioned with a scissor jack and chain bolted to some 3 jaw gear puller jaws (I actually managed to get this so tight it destroyed my scissor jack. Now I gotta find a new one. 🙁 If you do this, go buy a sacrificial one from the junkyard for $5 and use that, and not the one from your actual vehicle. Derp.) and THEN I banged on it with a hammer some more. Walked away and mowed the lawn and came back and hammered some more. Nothing. Soaked in PB B'laster every day for a week. Finally, FINALLY got that F'er off with an Astro Pneumatic 78830 Heavy Duty Drum and Rotor Puller Tool. Yanked that damn thing right off. I will say you do need a long clamp to pinch the jaws tight around the drum because it popped off on the first attempt when I didn't have the clamp in the right spot.

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Eric Olsen says:

    Used this trick yesterday for my first ever wheel bearing replacement. Worked great! Things I had trouble with…

    1. Passenger rear bearing – the back bottom bolt for the bearing was difficult to get to for what I had.
    2. Didn't get grade 8 bolts from the start for this. Chewed through the crap ones in about 5 seconds. Couldn't back it out as the treads stripped. Had to cut it off.
    3. I used a larger nut as a spacer when I bottom out the bolt. Worked great.
    4. The bearing was so seized in there I started to chew through the grade 8 bolts as well.
    5. Took about 5 hours…complete newbie.
    6. Lastly and most surprising…I was able to do it with dropping only 1 F bomb. This was from habit and not aggravation.

    Managed it all with no air hammer. Just and impact, grinder, and hand tools.

    Thanks for the life saving post!!!

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bob Villa says:

    "Arched Enemy"! Come on, you're one of my favorite guys! WTF

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars shellysdopevids says:

    So I bought 1/2” bolts only to find out they are too thick. Guess I’ll try 3/8”

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joe Zglinicki says:

    Nice! Works great. Thanks for the tip!

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars S T says:

    What if you stick a piece of wood or tire rubber in between there so that 1- less mark but also 2- more room to push if you’re running out of thread? Haven’t actually tried just a thought.

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mechanicsville804 says:

    John 3:16
    For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Northern Rider Offroad says:

    I replaced the entire knuckle on my first. Trying this on my second. F you Ford

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars deraculan says:

    Cool tech tip beats putting longer bolts on the bearing mount threads and using an air hammer. Since space is an issue. USed the longer bolt trick on solid axle sealed hub bearings on dodges and Jeeps.

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stephen Holloway says:

    Do you have a video of reassembly tricks?…. Great piece of work here folks!

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bob Barron says:

    This looks to be about an 8 Motherfxxxxx job on a scale of 0 to 10, which how I rate difficulty in my carpentry work.

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kyler O'Brien says:

    I welded a nut to the backside of the hub when I did mine just eliminated having to hold the wrench.

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kent Flemming says:

    i just did the same thing on a 2011 tarus and if you cut 2 studs and use 2 bolts at the same time works way better 10 mins done .

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Budster70 says:

    Bad angle

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gary Rosema says:

    Can you tell me how to remove this rear arm from the rear knuckle after the bolt is out on a 2005 equinox AWD it’s stuck on the knuckle

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars JD RS says:

    Sir, you stamped an “8” on the knuckle without wanting to. 🙂

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars AB automotive says:

    Interesting take on this job, indeed. I usually air-hammer some spare bolts screwed into the bearing from behind with those bolts screwed not all the way in. So far, never had to struggle much this way, but I have to keep a decent stash of various bolts. I admit, that your method will work when there is not enough access from behind. I would put some flat plate or washer under the bolt to minimize damage though. Sure, no one will ever see it, but still…
    Sliding hammers with hub attachments are rather useless for this job

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ryan G says:

    wtf I have been a technician for over 17 years I would never do this. Get yourself a otc hub tamer and get your life together. Come on who needs 2 technicians for one wheel bearing

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bij Dikh says:

    My car uses lug bolts, so I was lucky to already have holes in the wheel bearing hub. Just used a harbor freight brake caliper piston tool, and removed all the parts to the tool except for the nut to hold it on the inside part of the hub. Just used a set of plyers, and a wrench for the nut, and it broke it free in minutes. I spent hours beforehand soaking it in penetrating fluid, torching it, and whacking it with a mallet.

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Greg Ballard says:

    Thanks I have to do two of these. I should be able to use nut and bolt trick without air hammers .

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael Skinner says:

    Clever procedure. I just had to comment though on how many high mileage vehicles you seem to get.

  47. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bullinape AMuriCa says:

    Could put a piece of thick metal under the bolt to prevent the little marks I don't see a problem with doing it that way though, it's not like wheel hubs have a gasket.

  48. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Heinrich Becker says:

    If there is a worry about the backing plate being dimpled then one can always configure some kind of metal "sock" with larger contact area than the bolt.

  49. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars BMWm6e63 says:

    Welcome to our world of corrosion in the UK on cars

  50. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars AstroTools says:

    We MIGHT be working on something up this alley

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