Ford Escape: Front Brakes & Wheel Bearing

A classic SMA brake job and wheel bearing video! It's been so long I thought I'd bring you along. I'm knocking out some front pads and rotors along with a press in wheel bearing on this Ford Escape. Gravy job.... minus all the interruptions. -Enjoy!
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South Main Auto Repair
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.

[@samualmccarter7205]

Eric, Your videos are truly medicating. I’m currently going through my 3 bout with cancer, first time when I was 7, and the next two in deal with now at 22. I was diagnosed with an astrocytoma back in Feb. and just recently found out they missed the second Osteosarcoma. Being in aviation, I really miss being in the shop. I’ve worked my way up the chain starting with vehicles, then combines/ many other miscellaneous farm equipment, then finally setting in aviation getting my A&P. This bout with cancer struck when I was in my second and final year of school unfortunately, within a mear 4 months of graduation. It’s been a really tough year for me and you’ve brought me much comfort in doing what you do. It’s refreshing to see someone who takes as much pride in their work as I do. So Eric, keep up the great work! -Samual

[@danieltaylor9761]

Eric, I am so sorry you are dealing with these cancers so repeatedly. I pray God will heal your immune system so you will stop getting these cancers. God really exists bro! Talk to him. He's waiting to hear from you!

[@jtjones4727]

I'm late to the party, but I hope you are doing well and whooping cancers butt. And at such a young age, that's really a shame. It is often true though, that bad stuff always happens to good people. I also pray that God will heal you. May he heal us all.

[@ryans9103]

I enjoy seeing another mechanic with ethics and integrity to treat everyone correctly. This man is a man of men right here.

[@tiredagain6722]

Ah, little Eric is growing up and his voice is changing😁

[@GeorgeJFW]

Hahahah

[@2405jacko]

You mean he is finally hitting puberty?

[@James_Hough]

“Do you still sell the Bronco?” - “No, we’re really trying to get away from that whole fugitive on the run thing. Can I show you a new Escape?” --Arrested Development.

[@63256325N]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, it never gets old! 😁 Thanks! 👍

[@Yawwee]

OMG !!! OMG !!! Pork chops - 2 of them - itty bitty cubed potato's, simmered in butter ALONG with an apple - OMG - the lunch of a honorable "Mechanic" !!!! Mrs. O, you are such a loving wife and good cook !!! And I thought this was going to be another "boring" brake / bearing job in the Avoca "rust belt" !!! I'm tempted to send a job application to South Main Auto and see if it will include the benefit of a fantastic lunch like this every workday !!!! No wonder you have 320K viewers ... I'd watch just to see what's for lunch !!!!! Smooth brake / bearing job Eric .... good work on a job well done !!!!!!! Now, enjoy them chops and apple, and give Mrs. O a hug !!!!!!!!!

[@wyattoneable]

You know I appreciate it when you include us DIY'ers.

[@happy543210]

"aint no stink in the pink"......i wish that were always true!!

[@joshuasutton3175]

Hey there viewers ! I think I watched the intro about 10 times and laughed every time

[@ekop1778]

FORD RUST BUCKETS ARE KRAP LIKE DODGE

[@kennethtibbitts6641]

THE LOVELY Mrs.O TAKES VERY GOOD CARE OF THE Dr. LUCKY MAN!

[@619DioFan]

Beyond the technical information which is top notch the entertainment value of your videos is great. far better than anything on TV - IMO.

[@Aschmorr]

This video is exceptional, I can feel the madness, the background conversations, visitors and helpers, summer heat melting the brain, thanks Mr. O

[@mikechiodetti6737]

Lessons learned, commentary, Mrs. O and comedy relief! All in one video! I'll bring my plate next time for lunch. HA! Nice Job!

[@berlinbadger6725]

Yes, South Main Auto, come for the commentary, stay for the automotive expertise. Another great video, keep them coming Eric!

[@pascalhogstrom2203]

I cant understand why people dislikes his videos. He works hard to provide entertainment for us. Educating us. I dont dislike any vid he done so far.

[@mikeodonnell3390]

Pascal Högström Very nicely put!!

[@pascalhogstrom2203]

Thanks=) well he deserves it, hes a great guy =)

[@mikeodonnell3390]

Pascal Högström Thanks for the reply!! I started in 1970 during what he is doing now. I just retired 1/1/2019. Now I set back have a beer and watch him and know just what he is going through. All he needs is some ice cream and he will be fine!! Have a good day.

[@pascalhogstrom2203]

My dad just went into pension, but he choose to continue working 😜 born 1954. He even wants to start his own business. Hes a guy which just loves working. =)

[@mikeodonnell3390]

Pascal Högström I was born 1952 so we are about the same age. I thought retirement would be nice but the wife has me working around the house. Just got the deck painted yesterday. Now its on to the garden.

[@adamjones2025]

My day is not complete without watching Eric, Gotta love the humor too!!

[@danielsherman8565]

God, I'm glad I did not have my headphones on. Thank's for yet another great video Mr. O.

[@perrycollins528]

I my name is Perry Collins from Gambo NL Canada I watch your utube videos . Keep up the good work you do , It help me a lot , when I had to do a wheel bearing on my daughter 2013 Toyota Corolla . Thanks again ,i really in joy watching your work on utube.

[@richard1835]

When I need help with a repair or procedure I always look for the professionals. Thank you Eric.

[@spaceinvadertoo]

Freshly brewed coffee and a freshly published SMA video. Life is good.

[@wallingj68]

Excellent video Mr O. Hopefully I'll remember this video when it comes to doing my brakes on my Escapay. Also, Mrs O is looking great! She looks like she's lost some weight and seems very happy. Congrats to her if she has!

[@jamesu]

Thank You Eric. I had a customer recently request new bearings on all 4 corners of a 2003 Escape. The rears are the more difficult bearings to change.

[@exoduslnx]

The best narrator of car repairs on the face of the planet

[@charlesmiller5078]

Nice balanced diet, thumbs up to Mrs O. Taking care of the money maker.

[@nigelstringfellow5187]

What better way can there be to start Sunday morning than to watch an excellent SMA video..Thanks Mr O .!

[@benjaminstockton3917]

Good video Eric O. Never get tired of the brake jobs your very good at it ,Never go wrong with the purple lube good stuff

[@neutrodyne]

I love those invisible eye safety glasses.

[@pb3033]

The bearing technique...awesome !

[@vincedelpezzo8209]

I really enjoy your easy temperment and professionalism

[@nxtlvl721]

Watched the video for honda pilot timing belt and water pump placement about five times then did mine worked out perfectly and saved about $1000 then subscribed

[@BOBHANNA01]

Good to see Josh back, what a golden opportunity he has to learn with you, if he was to stick with it he ll go far, and we way better trained than any dealer tech.at his age.

[@1013redoak]

A perfect video since we got to see Mrs. C's smiling face at the end!

[@danielhowiesr.2593]

Mrs C's??

[@1013redoak]

@@danielhowiesr.2593 Sorry, Mrs.O. I think faster than I can type sometimes!

[@dinobot_maximize]

Ferd Escapeh Rust Bucketeh lmao 'took years to master catching the brake pad retainer in my armpit'

[@stephenlawrence4362]

What a great day. Two of my favorite KZbin channels with new vids.

[@tommyj19751]

Just did front bearings on my 03 blazer. So glad they were bolted to the knuckle and not pressed in.

[@xRENEGADExXxNINJAx]

Omg, thank you so much for not editing the first 3 seconds out! It was a good laugh As always, I enjoy your videos, keep up the good work

[@SocketSilver]

Ordering the parts to do one of these. Thanks Eric! Hope you enjoyed your chop!

[@AnjinSan1966]

Another great SMA production!!! Love it :D

[@Bekim8310]

I love these nuts and bolt videos you put out, awesome!

[@doctorjohn-burgtekie]

Eric thanks for showing us whats for lunch looks good and tasty. Have a good weekend.

[@cameron339]

Love South Main Auto videos!

[@curtisroberts9137]

You are living the dream Mr. O!I have used the HF hub tool and it does work very well. I'm very happy with it but I don't do a lot of press bearings. I imagine the Hub Grappler would hold up to the abuse longer.

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Who ever knew brakes could be so entertaining,keep up the good work my man . Jolly good show what what!

[@baxrok2.]

Oh boy, another old fashioned! Thanks Dr. O!

[@johnaclark1]

I am so glad to see you leave that S-hook on there. I left one of mine hanging on a spring and drove it up the road not too long after I got them. Heard a clink-clank-thud-clink clink....It has road rash now. I wish I had bright yellow ones instead of black.

[@MVMTV4Videos]

Need a garage with the proper tools for sure. Very impressive. Thanks for sharing

[@2405jacko]

Missed the good old brake job, missed you too Eric, need more videos.

[@germanjesus]

This video is an honest to god reason why I turn down so many Ford jobs. You sir do a really good job keep it up

[@adventureoflinkmk2]

Aww how cute at the end when you mounted the caliper back on the car... baby ratchet!! Baby ratchet, doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo....

[@fullthrottlekid]

Thanks after watching this video I went to the good old harbor freight bought the tools and completed the wheel bearing job on my ford escape!!! Now the true test see if it holds together!!

[@boarderdude1193]

Just finished the same job on my wife’s ‘07 Kia Sportage front bearings. Speaking of “no stink in the pink,” my lube of choice on my HF bearing press kit, particularly when thinking of friction on a long hard forcing screw shaft and rubbing ball bearings was CV axle grease! Worked like a dream although messy! I’ve seen Eric O’s video on doing a rear bearing on a Sportage (awesome video which gave me a confidence boost by the way, thanks Eric!) but the front bearings & knuckles on this Sportage were weird - the snap ring was on the “back side” toward the inside of the car rather than facing outward like all other knuckles and bearings I’ve seen on video so far... crushed my first thrust bearing learning this the hard way! Had to press the old bearing out backwards from what was depicted in this video, thus everything on the knuckle got disconnected except the tie rod so I could access the snap ring and properly set up my tool! Good thing I ordered two sets of thrust bearings (awesome idea Eric!) But I had a hard time finding a full size thrust bearing in time so I ended up using thrust needle bearings and washers with the HF bearing press set to get my bearings done. I just went to a local industrial shop to get the bearings or I found some on McMaster Carr that should work too! At least for the HF tool the thrust bearings needed to be 0.75” inside diameter. The HF tool and bearings held up surprisingly well especially when lubed! Thanks again Eric O and all those who have read this far!

[@thomasherring6640]

Did a pair of these on an 06 focus, which is a very similar setup. Spent more time beating on the first retaining ring than I would care to admit. Tore that little bugger to bits, and it still didn't want to come out. Eventually I resorted to a couple of pocket flat head screw drivers, and pried it out. Cleaned up the inside of the bore where the ring had been as much as possible and put a bit of grease on it before trying to press the bearing out. About 2/3 of the way out, the forcing screw on my Harbor Freight bearing kit gave up on life. Spent a lot more time getting the nut and forcing screw apart, then proceeded to beat the bearing the rest of the way out with a socket and a big hammer, and took the knuckle to a local shop to have him press the new bearing back in. Luckily, I had see the video where Eric suggesting using the OTC forcing screw and nut with the Harbor Freight kit, so I ordered up the screw, nut, and a bearing (something the Harbor Freight kit doesn't come with) and waited until I had them before doing the other bearing. Good old NY salt and crust, makes every job an adventure!

[@steveaguero8483]

Do you remember what bearing you ordered for the kit

[@hillbillyrigrepairs1814]

I believe this is potentially the greatest SMA video ever-no break in the action. Just keep trucking through the job. You make it look easy Dr. O. I dare you to do a brake job blindfolded.

[@rjh2459]

Love a brake video.

[@watermanone7567]

Excellent job as usual. I have not seen Mrs. O for so long, I thought you may have fired her. Good to see all is well.

[@anthonytomas9993]

Good attitude. Good work. Thanks!

[@mrkttrdr2919]

Home cookin at the shop, it dont git no better, always great to follow along and see what bangi n and clangin goes in to a fix, gettin time for ice cream for dessert!

[@jamesstanley5503]

Another great video. so satisfying watching someone else do it, until I have to do it. then not so satisfying. 😂

[@anantdabholkar685]

Whoa, this was a classic for your expressions and humor. Gonna watch it for laughs again!!

[@c0mputer]

3:18 As AvE says, “I need that finger for later!”

[@davidanderson1763]

Don't forget CHINESEIUM!

[@jake-mv5oi]

24:55 Story of my life... I did a wheel bearing on my Saturn sl2 with the press in style bearings and just pulled the entire strut and knuckle off as an assembly so it wouldn't mess up my alignment. Used my HF press to get them in and out. Worked like a champ. I want to get a hub grappler though cause I can see it paying for itself in short order.

[@white89gt]

My family has owned four Escape's, and I've done this job several times. I've always removed the entire knuckle though.... I'll have to try this method next time. That Escape you worked on has a lot more rust than I am accustomed to though. I don't envy that!

[@petar443]

Best brake job videos and suspension videos - South Main Auto and jimthecarguy

[@brianbrundage3116]

Now that I am employed at a napa store these videos are even more important. Eric having a bad day and a little frustrated was kinda funny to

[@AlbertaPatriot1985]

SMA needs to have everyone contribute videos to the channel since the entire team is mechanically inclined 😊😊

[@georgeshadrick640]

Thank you for the video and your service well done

[@emanuelpaulino4336]

Hey Eric! I think you should get anothet camera for Josh, so that he can start uploading videos on you tube. I think everyone would love to see the problem he encounters when fixing cars, and the approaches he takes. It would be nice to see what happens in the other side of the bay. Like you've mentioned the Mazda Josh was bringing in.

[@mikegarcia5087]

Love watching you work bro'👍👍!

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Eric O another good brake/bearing video. Seems like you were having one of those days. No joy in Mudville. ❤️️

[@lorrinrodrigueshs-bcp192]

Aloha South Main Auto! Man, your jobs are always so smooth & fluid! (I guess that means your editing is spot on!) Best "start-to-finish" automotive clips with excellent angles/perspectives. We appreciate all your hard work producing the best...(fill in blank) available...the "meat-n-potatoes" of acquiring my automotive knowledge...see how I did that, right there?

[@donnierobertson3088]

Great job again like always A+

[@davidkrutza1490]

love your videos,entertaining and informative👍

[@richardbambenek2601]

With the tools I have in my garage I'd be talking to myself and swearing non stop, my tool box would be empty, the floor would be covered with tools and finally I'd be on the phone calling a wrecker to take my car to the garage. I'd be left with my ego in tatters and my man card revoked. As Clint Eastwood says " a man has to know his limitations. But, you make it look so EZ but you know, nobody likes a show off. LOL U da Mang.

[@rodneyhuffaker7548]

You don't need snaprings there. The rust will hold it on. 😁 You should charge a rust removal fee. Did you see all the rust that came off with the air hammer? What a service!

[@yepme6484]

I enjoy your comments while dealing with the task ahead, you have a bonus, have food cooked for you while, you are working.

[@pascalhogstrom2203]

Thanks. Just what i wanted to see ❤

[@richardr5774]

Great vid Sir, I LOVED the humorous remarks ! And I"m also glad to see your wife back in the office, was getting a little tired of Marie !

[@oneupser7756]

Love me a good brake job! Thanks 🙏🏻

[@Paul1958R]

Eric, Great video and repair as always - thank you! After watching you do a few of these wheel bearings over the years I decided to try to do them them myself on my Ford Focus (2002 and 2005). I purchased a 'hub tamer' tool kit made by Astro Tools (78825, about $80 at Amazon) and have had great success with it. Obviously not the quality of the big buck OTC tool kit but I think its just right for any home mechanic (like me). Hope this info helps other viewers. SMA#1 God bless Paul

[@citrusfarmer]

Eric is such a good guy. Love watching his videos. Thank you.

[@jasonkeuma1986]

I let the ads play, so he can get paid. Worth the i for that he shares. Thank you eric

[@casperthesavage22]

Yes, Always amazing vidz, Thank You

[@SierraOne]

Eared your money on that one. That's a tough one Great Video

[@AndreMarek64]

Love how thorough you are and how entertaining you are Eric, keep up the great work!

[@rrmech11]

It's pink and it doesn't smell 😲 👍👍Gotta get me a grappler.

[@petemedina8446]

That was cool never seen it done on vehicle before. We just took the knuckle off then did it on bench with similar tool. That's a hell of a lunch there I had either pb&j or bologna & cheese.

[@easchit]

Liked the video. Learned a bunch

[@casperthesavage22]

Awsome bearing vidz

[@elcheapo5302]

"If you would, bang out that Pilot first." 😂 You're the best, Eric.

[@suwahcide]

I'm assuming he ment Honda pilot

[@thehappytexan]

The Mrs drives an escape the exact same color and body style as that one. Brakes are easy. I have a cool wife man, she actually does brakes after I taught her. No problem getting dirty. I have been curious about the wheel bearings, and I’m glad you made this video. Paying $60 for someone to press in a timken set sounds like a good idea to me.

[@Jedi_Luke]

A hydraulic press is a glorious machine from heaven.

[@luisolivero423]

Amazing how with all the Automotive Advancements, a tool that dates back 3.3 million years, is so vital today. (The Hammer) Leaves me speechless at times.

[@ericneumann6017]

Wish I would’ve known that wheel bearing tool existed seven years ago! Would’ve saved me a ton of money

[@ReneTrujillo]

Well trained staff

[@ThumperCR]

I chuckled at the end when you almost left your caliper hook behind. I actually had a mechanic leave his hook on my car and every time I turned the wheel it made this weird noise. I'm like what the heck is that and took a look and found his hook still hanging on the passenger side and when I turned the wheel it was making contact with the rotor and making some pretty good noise. Good thing you caught that. Yes I did take it back and returned it to the mechanic. No big deal, I've left tools behind as well like a Belt Tensioner tool that you use to remove Serpentine belts. Yep sent one of those home underneath the hood of a car. :-)

[@bigclivedotcom]

I hope Josh got a pork chop too.

[@fire7765]

Great job Eric

[@r1eaterr]

Love your videos!

[@TheImprobableIronman]

A crossed-thread is better than Loctite.......Now there's wisdom. Love an SMA Brake Job. Thanks for posting.

[@Restoringthepast]

Intro of the year :)

[@rodlewis4047]

I feel so lucky to live where the roads don’t get salted!