I have a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid and it has got louder and louder at the front wheels ... like im driving with huge mud tires or something ... ive searched on this and came up with that the wheel bearings are shot ... as if i turn the wheel to one side or the other the noise will stop briefly ...

my question is , is it possibly to replace the wheel bearings myself? ive heard some need hydraulic press to do it ... but i dont know if its for the 2008 year model

anybody know?

 

I have an 07 and just had this done. They installed an assembly that included the new hub with bearing and studs. They got me for $450 including the alignment. If you have the skills, I'd recommend you to do it yourself. You can have the machine shop at an auto parts store do any press work for you for a lot less than the mechanic doing the whole shot.

By the way, my noise is still there. I'm starting to think it is the tires.

 

Why is this happening so soon on our FEH? Seems like we should be well over 100k before wheel bearings start failing.

 

Great question. I think the Escape suspension is a lousy design. I'm on my 4th set of stabilizer bar links, have replaced one inner and one outer tie rod end, a wheel bearing, ABS tone ring and now have another mystery clunk and a whirring noise. And I only have 57,000 miles.

Most I have done on my own, but if all done at the dealer, it would be well over a thousand bucks, closer to two.