Replacing Hub/Wheel bearing/Knuckle

[mosho93]

Hey,

Ive done searches but just cant seem to find what im looking for and im still a little confused. the hole on my knuckle where the pinch bolt goes through is worn and the bolt has slop when driving. I have another knuckle but i want to put a new wheel bearing in it. From what i understand, its easier to replace the whole hub assembly? Now, the Hub assembly that auto zone sells comes with the wheel bearing pressed into it already right? What do i need to remove the Knuckle thats on the car now and how will i put the new hub onto the new knuckle? Any special tools or i guess a walk through on this would be great! thanks in advance..

Shawn

 

[KeystonePowderCoating]

I just pressed out the old bearings and pressed in new bearings today.

There is no need to buy a hub repair kit if your just replacing the bearing.

The hub is nothing more than the round piece of steel that the lug studs are attached to.

You'll want to press out this piece first.

Then using a pair of snap-ring pliers, you'll remove the snap ring on the back side of the bearing.

Then support the knuckle and press out the bearing.

Installation is opposite of removal.

First clean the inside of the knuckle where the bearing sits to remove any oxidation / rust.

This will help the new bearing to slide into place without dragging.

I used a power tool with a scotchbrite pad, but regular sandpaper and some elbow grease works just fine.

Press in the new bearing into the knuckle.

I would recommend that you use a large socket that puts the pressure on the outside race of the bearing.

Using something flat will probably distort under the pressure and apply force on the inner race causing damage.

Once the bearing is installed all the way, you can then install the snap ring.

Now, you will need to support the inner bearing in the press.

Then press the old hub into the new bearing, remember to do this while supporting the inner race of the new bearing.

If you support the knuckle, when pressing in the new hub, all of the force will be applied through the actual bearings, and also you will put stress on the snap ring.

I'm sure someone else will chime in to elaborate or simply better explain what I'm trying to say.

Ultimately, it is very easy to do if you have a press.

I really don't recommend you take a heavy hammer to beat the new bearing into place.

It isn't so bad to beat the old bearing out, but that kind of impact stress on the new bearing isn't good at all.

Hope this helps.

Scott

 

[Racer X]

Hey,

Ive done searches but just cant seem to find what im looking for and im still a little confused. the hole on my knuckle where the pinch bolt goes through is worn and the bolt has slop when driving. I have another knuckle but i want to put a new wheel bearing in it. From what i understand, its easier to replace the whole hub assembly? Now, the Hub assembly that auto zone sells comes with the wheel bearing pressed into it already right? What do i need to remove the Knuckle thats on the car now and how will i put the new hub onto the new knuckle? Any special tools or i guess a walk through on this would be great! thanks in advance..

Shawn

The knuckle and bearing/hub are two different things. The bearing/hub is pressed into the knuckle.

Now, you said that the pinch bolt has slop while driving? Do you mean the bolt and nut, or the ball joint where it fits in the knuckle? If it's the bolt moving, you didn't tighten it enough. It's 50 or 60ft.lb. to get it tight, but you can go a little higher like many people do. If it's the ball joint where it fits into the knuckle, and tightening the bolt has no effect, then yeah, you need to replace the knuckle.

 

[mosho93]

The knuckle and bearing/hub are two different things. The bearing/hub is pressed into the knuckle.

Now, you said that the pinch bolt has slop while driving? Do you mean the bolt and nut, or the ball joint where it fits in the knuckle? If it's the bolt moving, you didn't tighten it enough. It's 50 or 60ft.lb. to get it tight, but you can go a little higher like many people do. If it's the ball joint where it fits into the knuckle, and tightening the bolt has no effect, then yeah, you need to replace the knuckle.

Yes i first tightened it to 60 ft lbs and it was still sloppy so then i threw the impact on it and cranked on it for a few seconds and it still is sloppy, you can see where the bolt has slop on the knuckle...

 

[Shuey]

Its easier when u remove the knuckle assmebly off the strut. This is a best time to upgrade the brakes and suspension. Take the assembly off and have the old bearing pressed out and the new bearing pressed in. New front bearings, $20-$50. After removing the snap ring, the hub presses out away from the assembly away from the car, the bearing presses out towards the car. Reverse porcedure to install.

 

[mosho93]

My question is how do you "press" the hub/bearing in or out??

 

[SHO Type U]

Best ways are, bring it in a shop and have them press it in, or u press it yourself using a press, using a press makes it a lot easier. Its a tight fit in there for the wheel bearing.

 

[jammin]

The autozone one is hub and bearing together.....,make sure to check length of studs as the units I bought had shorter studs. I finished job-all day and go to put tires on and lug nuts would barly hold on. Went to autozone and they gave me longer studs-had to punch them out and put new ones in-not fun.
As fo the job itself..patience. I think 18m socket/13/16 socket/21 in wrench/good prybar for ball joint-be carefull of boot.
If you get new pinch bolts, very helpfull.

jason

 

[mosho93]

The autozone one is hub and bearing together.....,make sure to check length of studs as the units I bought had shorter studs. I finished job-all day and go to put tires on and lug nuts would barly hold on. Went to autozone and they gave me longer studs-had to punch them out and put new ones in-not fun.
As fo the job itself..patience. I think 18m socket/13/16 socket/21 in wrench/good prybar for ball joint-be carefull of boot.
If you get new pinch bolts, very helpfull.

jason

Ok, so i bought the hub/bearing assembly and what is the process to putting the bearing on/in it? How do i get the old hub off the knuckle and how does the new hub go on? do i need a spring compressor for this job?

 

[Off Road SHO]

Look at the second post in this thread.

Tom

 

[jammin]

As for removing knuckle get chilton book, very easy and dirty
remove rotor and brake caliper
remove tie rod end from knuckle
looosen pinch bolt to knuckle
remove ball joint to knuckle pinch bolt
pry ball joint off knuckle or rmove subframe/balljoint pinch bolt
pull knuckle off strut-oh abs cable-good luck I disconnected abs.

jason

 

[SHO Type U]

Look at post #7.

First thing u should do is, remove the transaxle nut. This is what secures the halfshaft in place.

 

[jammin]

oh axle nut yes and you need a puller to push axle out......get the book man...has torque spec for you also.