Anyone Replace FX35 Rear Wheel Bearing/Hub?

Hi guys,

I'm trying to see if my rear bearings need to be replaced or if its just a wheel balance issue. The steering wheel shakes around 60 -70 mph, with road hum that increases with speed starting from 25 mph and dies down after 80 mph. The wheel hum noise seems to stay when braking to a stop:

- I had the steering rack bolt tightened
- I recently replaced both front wheel hub assemblies

Tires not too old with 18 - 20k miles on them.

Could this mean my rear bearings are bad? I lift the car and felt zero movement in all directions, can you guys help?

If it is the rear bearings, I figure i'll bring this to a mechanic since this job sounds much more labor intensive then the front wheel hub assembly, thanks guys!

---------- Post added at 11:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:49 AM ----------

///5227

Actually I'm guessing it's my tires, the Nittos 420s are wide and flat, causing the noise
 
Bearings Bad?

Drive is a ways and then see if the bearings are overheating. If you have a remote infrared sensor it's easy. Just put the laser on the bearing housing and see what the temp is. Compare it to the others, and if one or two are higher, voila - you have your bad bearings.

Also, raise the wheels and try turning them and feeling if they are grinding at all, catching, or if you can hear anything doing to by hand.

If you don't have a remote temp sensor (like a Ray Temp) - I highly recommend you get one. My Ray Temp was about $60 or so, and it is indispensable.
 
Just recently replaced two rear wheel hubs. I bought a cheap 12 ton hydraulic press from harbor freight. I couldn't budge one of the bearing hubs (I have another project I plan to use the press for. If it does not work...asking for my money back). I had already scouted a mechanic who would press it in for me. He had a 60 ton press with a 20 ton ram. He claims he put a breaker bar on it and pushed the press to its limit. Charged $64.00 to press the bearings.

Besides that installing the rears was actually easier than doing the front. The rear bearings kind of just fell out. Hardest part was taking out the left and right half axles. Put antisieze on almost everything removed.

This wasn't as bad as I thought...however I see why you can spend up to $900 on this repair. I was fortunate to have pnuematic tools and my inlaw helped me tear it down.

Now the FX has all new wheel bearings, new front and rear struts and new front springs.

TIPS: Do not take apart the parking brake. It's not necessary. There is no need to remove the knuckle also.
 
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dgoode: Nice going on the replacements

I actually found my local tire store (we live in a rural area, so they are pretty well equipped to handle anything) will press in bearings for me for a nominal charge. I have to replace a front bearing now (Auugghh!!) and all I can find are full replacement units. Sigh.
 
Artifex,

Very good detailed information. My dad and I are in the middle of replacing the right rear bearing on my 05 FX35 with 123k miles on it. I have gotten to the point of removing the bearing and hub assembly and I am awaiting the new bearing so I can take it to the machine shop and separate the 2 and have them press in the new bearing to the hub.
 
Steve, good luck. Take your time, don't get frustrated. You already have the hard part done, but be very careful pressing the new bearing in. If you are new to this you may want to have a shop do it for you to ensure you don't ruin the bearing. Some old hands will put the bearing in the freezer for several hours, and before putting it in heat up the bearing carrier to ease things along. I didn't do this but I am assured the infinitesimal contraction of the bearing and expansion of the carrier can make an impossible fit do-able, and reduce the risk for any attempt in general.
 
Hey Artifex,

I was able to replace the bearing and it took a day an half since I had to wait for the bearing to come in from the warehouse. The hardest part was breaking the 6 nuts on the half shaft lose and getting to the 4 nuts on the back of the hub. Then I took the bearing hub assembly to the machine shop were they removed to old bearing and installed the new bearing. How can I insert a pic to this reply?
 
I've done 3 corners of my car so far. I guess I'll go ahead and take care of the 4th sometime this week since I have a rear bearing laying around.

The fronts were pretty simple. Only tough part was removing the tie rod ball joint from the knuckle.

On the rear, I used a sliding hammer to remove the hub from the bearing assembly, with it still attached to the knuckle. I built a screw-drive press using a long bolt, large washers and old rotors to press the bearing in.
 
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