How to check and replace the "Ford Focus 2" bearing?

"Ford Focus 2" is a very common car in Russia. The car has a classic suspension scheme, where the front stand stands MacPherson. For their rotation, a support bearing is designed. "Ford Focus 2" does not cause problems with the operation, but to 150 thousand can get out of the bearings. For what they are needed, where they are and how to replace, we will consider in our today's article.

Characteristic

Bearing "Ford Focus" 2nd generation serves to ensure that the shock absorber rotates freely in the upper support. When turning the wheels, it is important to eliminate friction, which will cause increased wear and an increase in the temperature of the elements. Front bearings of the Ford Focus 2 generation allow minimizing the unfavorable factors and contribute to an easy, noiseless turn of the wheel. These elements are located on the cups in the cupboard space. Fastened to the load-bearing part of the body. It is important to ensure the reliability of the installation, since it is the bearing that will interact with the body metal. The part perceives impact loads when the spring is operating, and also the shock absorber.

Symptoms

How to check the bearing on the 2nd generation Ford Focus? You can determine the malfunction without specialized equipment. Thus, with a worn bearing, there will be a distinct knocking sound in the area of the left or right side member. Especially it is strengthened when driving on irregularities and when turning the wheels.

The next sign is the controllability of the machine. If the bearing of the front pillar is worn out, the Ford Focus 2 will be less manoeuvrable on the road. The steering wheel will start to lyftovat, there will be a skip during its rotation. In advanced cases, you will hear a crunch in the front of the body.

Causes of malfunction

Because of what this element can fail on the "Ford Focus 2"? The bearing is often broken due to natural wear. But there are a number of factors that can accelerate this process. So, first of all it is not welcome dashing driving on bad roads. Some motorists are guided by the rule "more speed - less pits", which is fundamentally wrong. The bearing will take even greater loads, because the other suspension parts simply do not have time to work out the blow normally. Another, but less common, reason is factory marriage. As a result, the part can not last more than 40 thousand kilometers. But the percentage of marriage is minimal. More should pay attention to their style of riding. Remember that the bearing does not have a damping element. And all the blows that will not smooth the shock absorber will be passed on to it.

Is it subject to repair?

Support bearing is a part that can not be repaired. It changes to a new one. However, to prolong the life of the device, it is possible to periodically prevent it. It consists in processing lithium grease inside the cage. First remove the protective cover. Well, it is best to purchase a specialized lubricant that will be designed for these loads and will not wither over time.

How to identify a malfunction in advance?

You can prevent this breakage in advance. This is especially important for those who are going on a long trip. So, first you need to open the hood and take hold of the shock absorber strut. Further it is necessary to shake it several times from side to side (in the place of its attachment to the body). If there is any play, then the element is unusable. For a larger lever, you can shake the body by grasping the edge of the wing. So the body will "walk", and the rack will remain in place. This will also talk about the failure of the bearing rack.

Replacement

So, suspicions were confirmed, and we bought a new bearing. Note that the part does not need to be changed by a pair, as the racks themselves. In order to replace the support bearing on the Ford Focus 2 successfully, we need a set of tools (heads and spanners), as well as an inspection pit or a hoist. On bare asphalt, you can do the work, but it will be very long and difficult.

First lift the front of the body jack. To hang out it is necessary from the side where there is a broken bearing with a rack. It will also be necessary to remove the wheel, having previously torn off the bolts. To avoid spontaneous movement (since the car is front-wheel drive and put "on the transfer" will be ineffective), we set the supports back and pull the handle.

Now lightly unscrew the bolts that secure the support bearing. "Ford Focus 2" continues to stand on the jack. Also note that the second "Ford" came with ABS. Therefore for replacement it is necessary to disconnect corresponding wires and gauges. Further we remove a protective collar from a brake hose and we unscrew a bolt of fastening of a rack with a repeated fist.

Next, open the clamp. It is necessary to prop up the fist of the wheel. We unscrew bolts of fastening of a rack and we remove it from the car. After dismantling, you can go to the very replacement of the bearing.

Dismantling and installation of the support bearing

First you need to clamp the rack in the vice, then - remove the spring. This is done with the help of several pullers that look like this. Screws set on the turns and the carabiner wrench are gradually clamped. It is necessary to compress until the upper stem leaves the support bearing cup. Then unscrew the nut from the rod. Note that it can be scrolled along with the rod. In this case, hold it with a hexagonal key of the appropriate size. We remove the protective cover with a stop and wash all the dismantled parts in kerosene or gasoline. To remove the bearing from the seat, you will need a slotted screwdriver.

When installing a new element, it is important not to confuse its position. On the "Ford", the upper part of the support bearing has a protrusion. They need to turn the cup into a sloping side. The spindle is then placed in a special hole. Then rotate the swivel part of the bearing and put the limiter on the strut. The latter should be fixed with a latch. The stopper is fitted with a thick end to the bearing.

Rack installation

So, the element is pressed into its place. Now it remains only to install the rack. When performing assembly work, make sure the spring is in the correct position. Next, the rack assembly is installed in the body cup. In order not to damage the thread, it is recommended to use a torque wrench. So, the moment of an inhaling of nuts of the basic bearing of a rack on "Ford Focus" of 2nd generation makes an order of 62 Nanometers. Then we set the wheel in place and lower the car from the jack.

Check the quality of work

After replacement, check the reliability of the bearing installation. No break-in is necessary. In the first kilometers, sharp maneuvers are allowed by the rudder. So you can check the quality of the new bearing. The element should not make a crunch and gnash when moving. To fully check the part, it is necessary to unscrew the steering wheel to the stop (of course, at low speeds).

Conclusion

So, we found out what a bearing is and how to replace it with a second generation Ford Focus car. As you can see, all the work can be done by one's own hands. Among special tools it is necessary to highlight the couplers of springs (it will take at least two), a vice and a torque wrench. With these tools, you can quickly and easily replace the bearing of the shock absorber with your own hands.