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Replacing a bad hub bearing

hockeybawler

hockeybawler

New member
Is this something easy that I could possibly tackle in a few hours or would it be better for me to just take it to a mechanic and have them worry about it? Thanks for the help in advance!
 


Oh it's very easy :) Once you've done it once you can whip em off in no time.

Just take you wheel off, put the spare on (so you can access the axle nut), bust the axle nut loose, take brakes off, and undo the 3 bolts holding the hub on and BOOM you got it off. It's really simple. And for the axle nut you want to torque it down to 110ftlb and of course your lugs at usual 100ftlb.
Should be some info on it on the site if you look around. And I also found reading the gm service manual helpful, it's on gpona.
 
If it's a front bearing (which I assume it is) it's really easy and takes very little time. Remove center cap from wheel. Using a 36mm socket and a big ass breaker bar, remove axle nut. Jack up vehicle and remove wheel. Remove brake caliper, bracket, and rotor. Remove 3 15mm bolts on the back of the spindle that hold the wheel bearing in. Unplug wheel speed sensor. Using a BFH, knock the wheel bearing off the car. Install is the reverse or removal. Make sure you torque the axle nut. Have fun. :)
 
Ok thank you both! This is what I should replace if when a take a curvey road at like 40ish+ mph the front passenger side makes a weird vibrating type of noise and sometimes when I go to stop with my wheels pointed to the right my brakes pulse correct? Thanks again!
 
Potentially it is that wheel. The only way to know for certain is to check the ABS data with a scan tool for the ABS issue. I'd hate to see you replace the wrong side. I've had one side noisy and not bother the ABS while no noise and ABS going haywire on the other.
 


A 5lb slide hammer makes quick work removing the hub from the spindle, corrosion between the hub and spindle can make difficulty, so long as your hub has the acccess hole in the flange. Clean ALL corrosion from the spindle opening and mounting surface, this can take time, be sure not to remove material though.
After you are finished and ready to drive the car, your still not done. Go for a short, slow speed drive, maybe 4 miles, don't go over 45. Re-peat 3-4 times min. If you do a lot of slow short city driving anyway, than your ok. One thing you want to avoid is a first drive that includes a high speed, as this will heat the bearings and damage the grease. You want to "break-in" the hub bearing, excess heat from the new bearing during break-in can damage the grease and cause problems down the road in 30-50 thousand miles.
 
3 jaw gear puller also works good for a stuck axle shaft in the hub.

hook the jaws on the hub, then the center bolt hits the axle, then tighten the puller. it will push the shaft out for ya.

most of the time a few good shots with a hammer will get it done tho. leave the nut on the shaft at the end of the threads, so you dont smash the threads.
 


Oldl thread I know, but if you have a air compressor and a air hammer a blunt punch on the air hammer pushes the axle out of the bearing center nicely also.
 
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