Thread: 2008 Grand Prix Wheel Bearing/Hub DIY?

hub is pretty easy. take the nut off the axle, ( if you put the spare tire on, then drop the car back down on the ground, the axle nut is less of a fight) then the brakes and rotor off, theres 3 bolts on the back side of the hub. and the abs plug. popping the tie rod helps get to these bolts. tap the axle loose, then pop the hub off, it may need a few taps with a hammer.

if one tie rod is bad change them both. then go get an alignment done.

what i do is break the lock nut free, then bring it back to where it was up to the tie rod, then take the rod off, leaving the lock nut in place. then i put the new tie rod on to the nut and snug it up. this will get you pretty close so you can get to the shop without tearing up the tires.

if you take that lock nut off, you have no idea where the new one should be. and even leaving the old lock nut on, the steering wheel will be off center when done, but drive able.

Scotty pretty much nailed it there.

However before you do this procedure, I would soak the living hell out of the axle splines before you attempt. I would take the wheel off spray it real good, and put the wheel back on. Do that a couple days before you plan on changing out the hub.
I broke an axle trying to get it out of the hub it was seized so bad. So instead of buying just a hub, I ended up buying a hub and axle. Just a little tip that should help you avoid breaking things.

Also here's a pretty good video a vendor on here made. The procedure is basically the same for your 08

you'll want a pipe to put over your breaker bar too, you can see in the vid, those bolts are tight.

if you dont have air tools for the axle nut. a 4 foot fence post worked well for me to break it free. or a extension stuck in the fins of the rotor and let that turn on the caliper to hold it. you dont want to just undo this bolt against the parking lock in the trans.

and my hub popped out with a hit to each side., and the axle took one light shot and it was free. no lube used at all. maybe i got lucky lol

+1 for the screwdriver in the cooling vanes of the rotor. Turn it and let it wedge up against the caliper bracket. That will keep the axle/hub from spinning as you're trying to remove the nut off the axle.

Originally Posted by scottydoggs

you'll want a pipe to put over your breaker bar too, you can see in the vid, those bolts are tight.

if you dont have air tools for the axle nut. a 4 foot fence post worked well for me to break it free. or a extension stuck in the fins of the rotor and let that turn on the caliper to hold it. you dont want to just undo this bolt against the parking lock in the trans.

and my hub popped out with a hit to each side., and the axle took one light shot and it was free. no lube used at all. maybe i got lucky lol

Maybe I just got unlucky. I beat that thing with a 3 pound hammer for half an hour. By that time the end of the axle was pretty ****ed up lol

you just described ratchet suicide lol if so use a craftsman, so its free to replace when it breaks. cause it just may.

all craftsman sockets and ratchets, and screwdriver type deals are free replacement. you don't even need a receipt. find one in the dirt, busted up, walk in get a new one, no questions asked.