Wheel Hub Bearing Assembly Replacement
#1
Wheel Hub Bearing Assembly Replacement
Read First: To find out if you need a wheel hub bearing or not, the easiest way to check is to jack up the front of the truck and grap the top and bottom of the tire and try to move it in and out. If it moves up and down at all its worn out and needs replacing.
When they start to get bad you can also hear it squeaking while you are going down the road when the front suspension travels or when you turn.
Finding a hub bearing can be easy, you can submit a new thread Here in the price quote forum asking for a hub bearing assembly for your make/model. You can also try searching online for them parts #FW289 or an AC Delco or GM part #15225770. You can find them for as much as 420 or as little as 160, But you gotta dig deep.
Tools needed: 21mm, 15mm, 10mm, wrenches and sockets and 36mm axle nut socket. Big *** breaker bars, Flat head screwdriver, Hammer, large C-clamp, pliers, blue loctite, grease, WD-40, Brake Cleaner
Lets begin: First thing first, jack up the truck on the bad side and take the tire off.
Hint: you can jack up the whole front end and make it easier to rotate the steering for access to the bolts, but when it is time to remove the axle nut you might have trouble working alone unless you have an impact.
Go ahead and remove the Wire harness and all the pins holding it down, don't worry about saving them, the new bearing comes with all the plastic clips u need.
Then to make things easier to work with unbolt the two 10mm screws that holds down the brake line to the upper control arm.
Now use the Big C-clamp to press in the brake pads so that removing the caliper would be breeze once the bolts get off.
Then you want to remove the two 21mm bolts that are on the back of the caliper mounting bracket, one located on the top and the bottom. These will be very very tight so use the biggest thing you got. if you can rotate the steering bit so u can have better access and fit an impact on there if your lucky.
Start off by taking off the bottom one off then the top and hold the caliper when the top bolt is about to come out, the caliper is pretty heavy.
When they start to get bad you can also hear it squeaking while you are going down the road when the front suspension travels or when you turn.
Finding a hub bearing can be easy, you can submit a new thread Here in the price quote forum asking for a hub bearing assembly for your make/model. You can also try searching online for them parts #FW289 or an AC Delco or GM part #15225770. You can find them for as much as 420 or as little as 160, But you gotta dig deep.
Tools needed: 21mm, 15mm, 10mm, wrenches and sockets and 36mm axle nut socket. Big *** breaker bars, Flat head screwdriver, Hammer, large C-clamp, pliers, blue loctite, grease, WD-40, Brake Cleaner
Lets begin: First thing first, jack up the truck on the bad side and take the tire off.
Hint: you can jack up the whole front end and make it easier to rotate the steering for access to the bolts, but when it is time to remove the axle nut you might have trouble working alone unless you have an impact.
Go ahead and remove the Wire harness and all the pins holding it down, don't worry about saving them, the new bearing comes with all the plastic clips u need.
Then to make things easier to work with unbolt the two 10mm screws that holds down the brake line to the upper control arm.
Now use the Big C-clamp to press in the brake pads so that removing the caliper would be breeze once the bolts get off.
Then you want to remove the two 21mm bolts that are on the back of the caliper mounting bracket, one located on the top and the bottom. These will be very very tight so use the biggest thing you got. if you can rotate the steering bit so u can have better access and fit an impact on there if your lucky.
Start off by taking off the bottom one off then the top and hold the caliper when the top bolt is about to come out, the caliper is pretty heavy.
Last edited by 2500HeavyDuty; 07-19-2008 at 12:52 AM.
#2
With the caliper unbolted go ahead and bring it over the upper control arm and lay it on a box so the brake line doesn't get damaged since its own weight can break it.
Now pry off the pretty little dust cap off with screw driver and hammer if needed. Dont worry about destroying it, it don't to much.
From there u will see the 36mm axle nut.
Once the cap is off go ahead and put the truck in 4x4 so the axle doesn't rotate when ur trying to remove the nut with a hand tool. Use a 36mm socket and breaker bar.
With the nut off its is time to focus on the 4 bolts on the back that hold the assy to the truck.
Theres going to be 4 15mm bolts in holding the bearing, one on each corner of the hub. You can use a wrench but it is hard to get an angle on them sometimes and it might be better to move the steering wheel to get a better view. You can use a wrench if your strong enough.
After the bolts are all out spray some wd-40 on the axle and tap the axle in a bit with the hammer and rip the bearing straight off the truck. it should just pull right off, if it don't keep tapping the axle till you can. Once off just put aside.
Now pry off the pretty little dust cap off with screw driver and hammer if needed. Dont worry about destroying it, it don't to much.
From there u will see the 36mm axle nut.
Once the cap is off go ahead and put the truck in 4x4 so the axle doesn't rotate when ur trying to remove the nut with a hand tool. Use a 36mm socket and breaker bar.
With the nut off its is time to focus on the 4 bolts on the back that hold the assy to the truck.
Theres going to be 4 15mm bolts in holding the bearing, one on each corner of the hub. You can use a wrench but it is hard to get an angle on them sometimes and it might be better to move the steering wheel to get a better view. You can use a wrench if your strong enough.
After the bolts are all out spray some wd-40 on the axle and tap the axle in a bit with the hammer and rip the bearing straight off the truck. it should just pull right off, if it don't keep tapping the axle till you can. Once off just put aside.
Last edited by 2500HeavyDuty; 07-19-2008 at 12:56 AM.
#3
Now its time to put the new bearing on. clean up the axle a bit first. Grease up the splines and the rubber ring on the bearing and try to slide it on. Make sure u leave the shield on there, it faces towards the front of the truck.
When sliding on the bearing make sure that the wires coming out of it are right on the very top and they tuck under the shield when the bearing is slid on.
Now put it all back together.
heres some torque specs.
Use some blue loctite on the 4 bolts that hold the bearing to the knuckle and the 2 bolts on the caliper.
Be sure before you drive off start the truck and press down on the brakes a few(many) times to get them working again or u wont have any brakes.
When sliding on the bearing make sure that the wires coming out of it are right on the very top and they tuck under the shield when the bearing is slid on.
Now put it all back together.
heres some torque specs.
Hub and Bearing Assembly to Steering Knuckle Bolts - 180 N·m / 133 lb ft
Axle Shaft Nut - 210 N·m / 155 lb ft
Caliper Mounting Bracket to Knuckle, Front - 300 N·m / 221 lb ft
Axle Shaft Nut - 210 N·m / 155 lb ft
Caliper Mounting Bracket to Knuckle, Front - 300 N·m / 221 lb ft
Use some blue loctite on the 4 bolts that hold the bearing to the knuckle and the 2 bolts on the caliper.
Be sure before you drive off start the truck and press down on the brakes a few(many) times to get them working again or u wont have any brakes.
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