How to Repack Ranger Wheel Bearings
- 1). Lift the truck by placing the floor jack on a frame rail near the wheel and pumping the lever until the chosen wheel is in the air. Place a jack stand underneath the truck at about the same position as the jack head, on a frame rail.
- 2). Remove the wheel by turning the lug nuts counterclockwise, then pulling the wheel free of the hub. Set the wheel aside, away from the work area.
- 3). Remove the cotter pin from the center spindle nut at the center of the hub with the pliers or vise grips. The pin is probably bent, and could be rusted, so professionals usually have a new one handy to replace it instead of trying to save the old pin. Pull the pin out of the hole in the spindle nut.
- 4). Turn the spindle nut counterclockwise until it comes off of the hub. There is a small ring holding the wheel bearing assembly in place, and this ring may come out slightly during removal of this nut. Pull the ring from the hub and the wheel bearings will be visible.
- 5). Push grease into the crevices of the wheel bearing assembly, and around their edges, using your hands. Taking the bearing out by hand is not required, as heat will dissipate the oil, and the bearing could have a plastic retainer that is infamous for coming apart. When the wheel bearings are packed with grease, cover them with the ring by placing it onto the hub spindle. Press in and squeeze excess grease out, daubing it up with a lint-free towel.
- 6). Replace the spindle nut by turning it clockwise onto the hub spindle, until the cotter pin hole lines up. Making the nut too tight or too loose will cause this hole to not line up, so as the nut comes closer to the ring, watch for the holes to align.
- 7). Push a straight cotter pin into the spindle nut hole, through to the other side. Bend the ends in opposite directions, around the nut. This will prevent slippage of the nut while the car is in motion.
- 8). Replace the wheel by turning the lug nuts clockwise, in an alternating pattern. Lower the truck from the jack stand with the floor jack, turning the jack pressure screw counterclockwise slowly.
- 9). Repeat the entire procedure on the opposite side wheel bearings.
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