2002 sealed rear bearings

[rssimp]

At 68k I started to get a growling noise from the rear of my 02 Explorer. When I inspected it my left rear tire would not move when I tried to rotate it. After ruling out the brakes I determined it was probably the bearing.When I talked to the dealer they said they didn't have any recalls or tsb's but were happy to sell me a new bearing assembly for $225 plus an additional $80 to press the new bearing onto the new spindle provided in the assembly. Why Ford provides a new spindle when the bearing comes off the old one fairly easy I don't know. (note: A local NAPA machine pressed the bearing for me for only $30.)
Now at 87k my other bearing is going bad. Is this a comon problem? I would like to know if anyone else is expreiencing the same problem.
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[steve11]

i took the 36 mm nut off the rear axle outer end today. wnated to slide the hub off and look at bearnig. it done want to move. how did you get it a part, and could you pit a bearing on the alxe with out pulling it, and could your grease the original bearing without removal from the area???????

[davidmmm]

I had that happen to me on my 2002 when i hit 90000 miles. had a shop replace it and they could not just replace just the bearing,, cost me over $400.