Wheel Hubs & bearings for Ford Focus

Ford Focus Wheel Hubs and Bearings

Ford Motor Company first offered the Ford Focus in the North American market in 1993. The quick, light compact gained a large part of the young driver market and has held it ever since. Compact in size, the vehicle has seen its share of parts evolution, including the important Ford Focus wheel hubs and bearings.

In 1993, the standard wheel bearing was unsealed, allowing for repacking process every 25,000 miles to remove old grease that had lost its consistency and refreshing the lubrication with new grease. After 1998, the Ford Focus wheel bearing produced on the assembly line came equipped with sealed bearings housed inside the hub.

Each tire of the Ford Focus has a hub designed for it. For instance, the rear wheels are not the drive wheels and only need to balance the weight of the vehicle on the wheel. Also, the rear axle, which the hub attaches, is different from the forward drive axle, equipped with a spindle. This means a different type of connection is required. Ultimately, these parts are not interchangeable from one wheel to another.

As far as the Ford Focus is concerned, there is no need to update wheel bearings or hubs simply because you are pulling a trailer. There is, however, a need to inspect and clean the trailer hub and bearings. The pulling weight limits for a Focus mean that you will not be pulling a large, full-length trailer behind the car. You can, though, pull a light-weight boat trailer, a small camper trailer, or a trailer that carries your camping gear. A weak or damaged trailer hub or bearing can cause a stressful pull on your car, causing you to veer or yaw.

There are several indicators that a hub needs replacement on your Ford Focus, including:

• If you hear a grinding or squeal that seems to be coming from a brake, most likely this sound will indicate a worn or faulty part that you should repair or replace.
• If you feel a vibration from a tire while driving, you may need to replace the part.
• If your steering wheel shakes, it is a sure indicator of forward axle issues.
• A pleasant humming from a wheel that turns into a grinding during a turn is a definite indicator that some axle pieces need replacement.

If you notice any of the above signals in your Focus, jack up the vehicle and spin the tire. If the tire will not move or if you detect a wobble, then you need maintenance. In the Ford Focus, the wheel bearing is housed inside the hub. Changing the faulty part requires that you also change the hub. Although your owner’s manual recommends inspecting the hubs every 25,000 miles, you should have your bearings checked with every oil change. A catastrophic failure of any wheel bearing can cause loss of car control.