This isn't something I usually write about but in this particular instance I would like to get down in words the supposedly simple task of replacing a front wheel bearing that went south in a spectacular way. Over the past several weeks/months I've noticed a noise coming from the front of the Lincoln that has every indication of worn front wheel bearings. Ok, now it's time to see how much of a job this is, so I visit YouTube to see how everyone does it. They make it look so easy. Off to the Jungle website to find replacement bearings and a nifty bearing puller/installer setup so I can do the job on the car. Mistake number one, don't buy wheel bearings from Amazon, but more on that later.
I started on the driver's side, no particular reason why. After removing the wheel/tire, the first order of business is to remove the brake caliper and hang it up and out of the way. Next is the axle nut. It's tight. Very tight. A pipe on a couple wheel studs and a 24" breaker bar on the nut is what it took to remove it. The rotor can also come off now, along with the dust shield on the back side of the rotor.