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The short version
- The 2003 to 2005 Aviator wheel bearing story is the Explorer’s story wearing leather: 515050 front, 516008 rear.
- The front is a bolt-on hub and the same number covers rear wheel drive and all wheel drive.
- The rear is a press-in bearing in an independent suspension, the hard job on this truck.
- A hub repair kit, 521000, pairs with that rear bearing.
Lincoln built the Aviator for three model years on the third generation Explorer, and the wheel ends came along unchanged. That is good news, because Explorer parts are everywhere and cheap.
Shop the Explorer aisle
The 515050 front hub and 516008 rear bearing are the same numbers the 2002 to 2005 Explorer uses.
Search both names when pricing an Aviator wheel bearing, and take the cheaper listing. It is the same part in the same box.
The donor truck has its own page covering the same generation.
Aviator wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 to 2005 | Front hub, both drivetrains | 515050 check price |
| 2003 to 2005 | Rear, press-in bearing | 516008 check price |
| 2003 to 2005 | Rear hub repair kit | 521000 check price |
Every model year this chart resolves: 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Price links lead to Amazon searches for that number. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.
Number lookups are on the cross reference page.
The rear is the real job
This generation’s independent rear end carries a pressed bearing in the knuckle, and it is the corner that fails most on these trucks.
The knuckle comes off, the bearing gets pressed, and the 521000 kit supplies the hub-side hardware. It is a half-day with a press or a job to farm out.
Pressing is covered on the press-in bearing page, and paying for just that step on the press service page.
One front detail on all wheel drive
One catalog lists an all wheel drive front variant supplied with its ABS cable attached, alongside the standard unit.
Both bolt to the same truck. If your old hub has an integral cable, buy the version that includes it.
Heavy truck, honest symptoms
At nearly five thousand pounds, the Aviator loads its bearings hard, and failures announce themselves the classic way: a hum that builds with speed and shifts in corners. The rear ones often get blamed on the differential first, which wastes money on fluid changes that fix nothing.
Separating those noises is covered on the differential noise page.
Diagnosing an Aviator wheel bearing
- Weave at highway speed and note whether the drone answers to cornering load.
- Suspect the rears first, since they carry the reputation on this platform.
- Rock each wheel at twelve and six.
- Price Explorer listings alongside Lincoln ones before buying.
- Plan the press logistics before opening up a rear corner.
The checking method is on the checking page.
Common questions
Which Aviator wheel bearing do I need?
Front is the 515050 hub for any 2003 to 2005 truck. Rear is the 516008 press-in bearing with the 521000 kit.
Are Explorer parts really identical?
For these years, yes. The Aviator is a third generation Explorer underneath.
Is the front easy?
Reasonably. It is a bolt-on hub, the standard three-bolt affair behind the knuckle.
Why is the rear harder?
Independent rear suspension with a pressed bearing. The knuckle has to come off and visit a press.
Does all wheel drive change the parts?
Not the numbers. One front variant ships with the ABS cable attached, so match your old unit.
What about the later Aviator?
The name returned in 2020 on a completely different platform with different parts. This page covers 2003 to 2005.