front hub bearings on 2004 Thunderbird

[63Landau]

I have been hearing a low rumble coming from under my 2004 retro with 59000 miles. Dealer thinks it is the from hub bearings. Wants just over $1000.00 to fix. Has anyone had this problem and is the price reasonable? THANKS for your input.

 

[Philip Phibbs]

The hub bearing are only around $30.00 to $60 each. That price of $1,000 is way to high. I changed mine out myself. Hardest part was pulling them out once bolt we out. The housings tend to have rust and grim that holds them in tight. There is a YouTube video that shows how to remove them.

 

[biddle]

Wants just over $1000.00 to fix. Has anyone had this problem and is the price reasonable?

Just like when you buy a car, price shop around and check google reviews. This is not a complicated repair, so many shops can handle this. Obviously the dealership is always the most expensive.

I worked in Ford Dealerships 25 years ago, and my Fiancée worked in the service department office at one recently. Some of the mechanics were complete clowns, especially the ones doing small jobs, so I don't see why it's worth paying all that money. I had 3.55 gear installed in my Mustang, rear end rebuilt and Ford Performance Differential cover installed and paid a dealership to do it, because that's a complicated task. One of the lead mechanics did it.

 

[Pcrpete]

Had same issue with my 2004, couldn't figure out what the noise was. Brought to my local mechanic, he diagnoses and repaired. If I remember correctly, it was no more than $500, if that

 

[The Flash]

The Chilton labor time is under an hour to replace the hub bearing. The parts and labor should be under $200.00

 

[Raymond Hubbard]

In order to get a power steering leak fixed I took my 2002 Thunderbird to a mechanics garage that had several experienced mechanics. That afternoon I received a call from the mechanic assigned to do the repair. He informed me that they don't work on Jaguar engines and that I would need to take it to a Ford dealer. I located a local one man mechanics garage who had no problem tracing a leaking pressure valve and replaced it within several hours. I guess the first mechanic didn't know the difference between an engine and a common power steering system. At least he didn't try to give me a $1,000 repair bill estimate in an attempt to coverup his incompetency!

 

[Icewine]

I replaced my front bearing in 2018 and it was around $600. Only one was making noise, but I tend to over-repair so I did both sides. Actually did the front brakes and rotors while everything was apart.

 

[Issyro]

It is not that hard too do, I have done three hub replacements and twice with the Thunderbird. One rear and one front one from my 04. I went on the internet low along and found videos on how to accomplish it, pretty generic for most cars with the hubs. Just have a good set of tools and follow a video, seriously pretty easy. Remove the brake caliper and pads, remove the caliper support bracket, remove your rotor and you are at the hub.