What does wheel bearings do on a vehicle? How much does it cost to replace them? How much would a shop cost? I have a 1990 Ford Ranger 2WD 4 Cylinder.(Rear wheel drive)
wheel bearings help hold your truck up and keeps the wheels from wobbling. your not saying weather your talking about front or back. the front doesnt cost as much as the back, because the back bearings are either pressed on the axle or they are in the housing, either way, the axles has to be removed on the back.
wheel bearings on a ford ranger are very simple to replace should only cost $50 per side long as the spindels are not damaged
Your front wheel bearings have hardened smooth tapered races that surround the spindle on the very inside and outside. There are smooth tapered races that surround the hub inside and toward the end. Between both races are solid cylindrical bearings that roll between the two sets of races. Wheel bearing grease is packed into both bearings. To save you a lot of money remove the bearings and races and take the parts to any bearing supply store and purchase them there. Car dealers jack up bearing prices to a very unreasonable amount. SKF and Timken tapered roller wheel-bearings are about the best you can buy. If you'd like to see what tapered roller wheel bearings look like google them or go to: The Wikepedia Free Encyclopedia on line and look up tapered wheel bearings. There's a good explanation and picture.
