I did the rear hubs on my wife's 2009 Flex (AWD-similar except for the axle nut) and will add this point about the dust shield. I had a hard time swinging the hammer without hitting the dust shield and mangling it. Got the first one done but then on number two I cut the narrow part of the dust shield off just between two of the retaining holes. This part really offers no dust protection but interferes with the hub removal. With it gone I was able to hammer at more of a rear angle and they came off a lot easier than hammering straight down. Just my 2 ¢.
Thanks for this video. Had tried a slide hammer first but nothing doing. It took quite a few hits with a hand sledge before I noticed some slight gap. I kept hammering front, back, top and gradually the gap widened. I then had a cold chisel that I could hammer in behind the bearing tabs, I kept moving from side to side. FINALLY with the slide hammer it came off! The corrosion was considerable on the inside of the hub and took quite a bit of scraping and finally using a rat tail file to clean this up. The four bolts holding the bearing are torqued to 98 ft-lbs if you are Houdini. Getting access from behind to swing a torque wrench is Difficult. Good luck.
You're welcome. With an AWD Flex you will have rear axles. There will be an axle nut that you have to remove which I think is 32mm. You will have to slide the axle out of the wheel bearing assembly after you remove the axle nut and split the bearing assembly away from the knuckle.
Joe. Thanks for taking the time to video and explain this. My buddy and I are going to tackle this exact job on a 2009 Flex in two days. I was glad to see ahead of time what we are getting ourselves into. Good stuff!
Good tip. I'm glad the vid helped some of you guys out! I will have more as our Flex racks on the miles. Maybe suspension this summer. ABS module is next.
as was mentioned at about 4:20 in the video, Auto Zone (or similar local auto parts store) rents slide hammers with hub attachments that made it much easier to separate the hub from the part it is stuck to (rear knuckle?). We were able to get a slight separation with hammering and heat, but with 4 pops of the slide hammer, the hub came right out. highly recommended that you grab one of these before starting the job - speaking from yesterday's experience with the rear hub on a 09 Flex with front wheel drive
Good work a slide hammer will pop that hub right out fam but you did great work. Try and show people what tools you use to access the bolts, cuz people like us know what tools to use but people who aren't into automotive have no idea✌🔧🔩
Thanks, good advice. Small sledge hammer and 20 minutes of persistence and it finally came off. I am sure it woud have been $500, labour at the dealer.
What were your symptoms of trouble that indicated the rear wheel bearings were bad? My wife has a 2009 FWD Flex, the brakes groan a bit, not too bad but enough to make me wonder if there is something else going on with the car.
For the love of god, find a friend to hold the video camera. It is very hard to watch. It would be better if you showed the removal procedures as you did it...not after. Nice try but no prize :(
I did the rear hubs on my wife's 2009 Flex (AWD-similar except for the axle nut) and will add this point about the dust shield.
I had a hard time swinging the hammer without hitting the dust shield and mangling it. Got the first one done but then on number two I cut the narrow part of the dust shield off just between two of the retaining holes. This part really offers no dust protection but interferes with the hub removal. With it gone I was able to hammer at more of a rear angle and they came off a lot easier than hammering straight down. Just my 2 ¢.
Thanks for this video. Had tried a slide hammer first but nothing doing. It took quite a few hits with a hand sledge before I noticed some slight gap. I kept hammering front, back, top and gradually the gap widened. I then had a cold chisel that I could hammer in behind the bearing tabs, I kept moving from side to side. FINALLY with the slide hammer it came off! The corrosion was considerable on the inside of the hub and took quite a bit of scraping and finally using a rat tail file to clean this up. The four bolts holding the bearing are torqued to 98 ft-lbs if you are Houdini. Getting access from behind to swing a torque wrench is Difficult. Good luck.
You're welcome. With an AWD Flex you will have rear axles. There will be an axle nut that you have to remove which I think is 32mm. You will have to slide the axle out of the wheel bearing assembly after you remove the axle nut and split the bearing assembly away from the knuckle.
Joe. Thanks for taking the time to video and explain this. My buddy and I are going to tackle this exact job on a 2009 Flex in two days. I was glad to see ahead of time what we are getting ourselves into. Good stuff!
Good tip. I'm glad the vid helped some of you guys out! I will have more as our Flex racks on the miles. Maybe suspension this summer. ABS module is next.
as was mentioned at about 4:20 in the video, Auto Zone (or similar local auto parts store) rents slide hammers with hub attachments that made it much easier to separate the hub from the part it is stuck to (rear knuckle?). We were able to get a slight separation with hammering and heat, but with 4 pops of the slide hammer, the hub came right out. highly recommended that you grab one of these before starting the job - speaking from yesterday's experience with the rear hub on a 09 Flex with front wheel drive
Well Done Joe B. Don't listen to the haters. I have a 09 Flex too.......200,000 miles and now the bearings. Thank. You !
Wayne Fulton
Thanks - I know this video looks like I filmed it with a potato, but it still has some good info.
Good work a slide hammer will pop that hub right out fam but you did great work. Try and show people what tools you use to access the bolts, cuz people like us know what tools to use but people who aren't into automotive have no idea✌🔧🔩
Should show how to get 4 bolts out of the hub on the back. Hard to get to them.
Thanks, good advice. Small sledge hammer and 20 minutes of persistence and it finally came off. I am sure it woud have been $500, labour at the dealer.
Thanks for the video, I'm that much more sure I can do this in my driveway! My Flex is AWD, do you think that'll add much complexity/work?
Actually, the rear calipers are known for sticking on the 09-10 Flex. That rear caliper was sticking bad and got hot enough to ruin the wheel bearing.
What were your symptoms of trouble that indicated the rear wheel bearings were bad?
My wife has a 2009 FWD Flex, the brakes groan a bit, not too bad but enough to make me wonder if there is something else going on with the car.
What are the symptoms of a bad rear wheel bearing
Rumble that sneaks up on me and gets louder with time and changes pitch when going around curves.
How did u get it off these are pressed
These hub and bearing assemblies are bolted on as a unit.
Don,t forget to remove the wheel sensor so it don,t brake . Because it is plastic
For the love of god, find a friend to hold the video camera. It is very hard to watch. It would be better if you showed the removal procedures as you did it...not after.
Nice try but no prize :(