Rear wheel bearing replacement.

[gazzer]

My 1996 4.0 has failed its annual test for movement in the rear wheel bearings.
My local Ford dealer has quoted 2500 euro to replace them.

This seems an exorbitant amount.

Is there anything unusual about these axles that makes them more difficult to replace? I have anticipated 500 euro but not the above.

Cheers.

[mark v]

I dont know why cause the bearing is like under $10 USD.

[gazzer]

"Mr. Ford" says that the movement at the wheel is caused by wear in the differential on the planetary gears mounted on the end of the driveshaft.

"Mr.Fords" official stance is replace the whole differential as planetary gears are not available individually, hence the high cost of repair, quoted diff. price 1164euros. the rest of the money is taken up buy removal of drive shafts et etc.

However, "Mr Ford" offered another solution by measuring the free movement of the planetary gear and fitting an appropriate sized shim on each side. Cost: 3hours labour, 50euros for the two shims, plus oil, plus gasket. Total estimated cost of 300 euros approx. assuming nothing untoward is found when the diff casing is opened. It was stressed that A: This had been done successfully before and B: It was not an approved Ford modification.

Just goes to show that questioning the first course of action is in the interest of the consumer. A lot of people would be forced to accept the first quote of 2500 euros.

There is a plan C: A used axle from a vehicle dismantlers that is available for 500 euro. That one is being held in reserve.

[mark v]

Gears are like $200 USD. In the USA it is like $200 to $350 to do the gear swap, that does not include the price of the gears.

Do my prices compare to what they are asking? I dont know the Dollar to Euro conversion over there.

Here is a used set that will give you quick acceleration.

eBay Motors: Ford 8.8 gears 3.55 Mustang F-150 Ranger Explorer (item 330250412293 end time Jul-13-08 17:26:16 PDT)