How to Replace the Front Wheel Hub Assembly on a 2001 Ford Windstar

The 2001 Ford Windstar is one of the earliest models where it is technically possible to remove and replace the hub and bearing assembly without the aid of a professional. This remains a complicated procedure, however, as you will need to remove the drive axle first and then the hub from the axle. The Windstar uses a separate drive axle for the left and right wheels that connect to the transmission, and the removal process for each axle varies slightly.

Instructions

Removal

1

Remove the cover on the wheel and loosen the hub nut in the center with a breaker bar and socket. Raise the front end and support it on jack stands, remove the wheel and then remove and discard the hub nut.

2

Disconnect the electrical connector to the antilock brake wheel sensor and move the sensor and its wiring out of the way.

3

Remove the nut on the pinch bolt at the steering knuckle and lower balljoint with your wrench, then drive out the bolt with a punch and hammer. Discard both the bolt and nut.

4

Pry the pinch-opening open slightly with a large screwdriver, and force the lower control arm away from the steering knuckle with a prybar.

5

Separate the drive axle from the transmission: On the left side, use a large prybar inserted through the lower A-arm and positioned behind the inner CV joint's flange; for the right, extract it using a slide-hammer and hook adapter inserted behind the inner joint housing.

6

Unbolt and remove the stabilizer bar link at the bar with your wrench, then unbolt and remove the brake caliper from the disc and slip the disc off the studs.

7

Connect a two-jaw puller to the hub flange with its center bolt pushing against the axle's shaft. Use the puller to remove the drive axle while supporting the CV joints; this may take a second person.

8

Remove the three bolts connecting the hub and bearing assembly to the axle and remove the hub.

Installation

9

Connect the replacement hub to the axle and tighten the bolts to 85 foot-pounds.

10

Connect a new circlip onto the circular groove at the inner CV joint's subshaft.

11

Lift the axle into position and insert it into the steering knuckle, inserting the CV joint's splined end into the differential side gear. Insert a screwdriver into the joint's groove and tap it into place with a hammer until you feel the circlip engage.

12

Insert the axle's outer shaft through the hub and make sure the splines line up. Keep the rotor fastened to the hub with two lug nuts as you install the axle washer with a new hub nut; tighten the nut with the prybar inserted through the wheel studs.

13

Reinstall the brake disc and connect the brake caliper to the disc with its bolts. Reconnect the lower control arm to the steering knuckle with a new pinch bolt and nut, then reconnect the antilock brake sensor with its electrical connector.

14

Reconnect the wheel and lower the van off the jack stands. Tighten the hub nut to 184 foot-pounds.