2001 Mercury Cougar Wheel Bearing

The front wheel bearings consist of a cartridge design and are permanently lubricated and sealed requiring no further maintenance. The bearings are preset and cannot be adjusted. If any part of a wheel bearing assembly is defective, the unit must be replaced. It is critical that the wheel hub retainer is properly tightened to 210 ft. Lbs. (290 Nm) and that a new wheel hub retainer is always used.

REMOVAL:
NOTE
Before proceeding, be sure to have available new pinch bolts for the steering knuckle to lower ball joint and steering knuckle to strut as well as a new wheel hub retaining nut.

Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
Remove the disc brake caliper and rotor.
Support the disc brake caliper with safety wire. Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
Remove the anti-lock brake sensor retaining bolt and remove the sensor from the steering knuckle.
Remove the outer tie rod end cotter pin and remove the castellated nut. Discard the cotter pin.
Separate the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle using an appropriate tie rod end remover.
Remove the wheel hub retaining nut. Discard the nut.
Separate the halfshaft from the wheel hub using Front Hub Remover/Replacer T81P-1104-C or equivalent, and the related adapters.
Once removed, support the end of the halfshaft.
Remove the steering knuckle to lower ball joint pinch bolt.
Remove the steering knuckle to strut pinch bolt.
Work the steering knuckle off of the lower ball joint and out of the lower strut tube.
Remove the steering knuckle from the vehicle.
Place the steering knuckle assembly onto a suitable workbench.
Install Front Hub Remover/Replacer T81P-1104-C or equivalent with the appropriate adapters and separate the hub from the steering knuckle.
Remove the inner and outer snap rings securing the wheel bearing.
Remove the wheel bearing from the steering knuckle. Drive or press the old wheel bearing out as required.

INSTALLATION:
Install the outer snap ring into the steering knuckle.
Install the wheel bearing using a hydraulic press with the appropriate size bearing cup adapter.
Reinstall the inner snap ring in the steering knuckle.
Reinstall the hub to the steering knuckle using Threaded Drawbar T75T-1176-A or equivalent.
Carefully align the splines of the outer CV-joint with the splines in the hub.
Position the steering knuckle to the lower ball joint stud.
Position the steering knuckle to the lower strut tube.
Install a new steering knuckle to lower ball joint pinch bolt. Tighten the bolt to 70 ft. Lbs. (84 Nm).
Install a new steering knuckle to strut pinch bolt. Tighten the bolt to 40 ft. Lbs. (54 Nm).
Reinstall the anti-lock brake sensor and retaining bolt. Tighten the retaining bolt to 84 inch. Lbs. (10 Nm).
Reinstall the disc brake rotor and caliper assembly.
Reinstall a new wheel hub retaining nut. Tighten the retaining nut to 210 ft. Lbs. (290 Nm). NOTE
Do not use an impact gun to tighten the wheel hub retaining nut or damage to the wheel bearing may result.
Attach the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Install the castellated nut and tighten the nut to 18-22 ft. Lbs. (25-30 Nm). Install a new cotter pin.
Reinstall the wheel and tire assembly. Tighten the lug nuts to 62 ft. Lbs. (85 Nm).
Lower the vehicle.
Connect the negative battery cable.
Pump the brake pedal several times to position the disc brake pads before attempting to move the vehicle.
Road test the vehicle and check for proper operation.

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