Replace a Wheel Bearing Assembly On Your Car

• Always make sure you are using a quality jack.



• ALWAYS use wheel chocks.
• Place jack stands under the frame of the vehicle after jacking up.



• Be sure there are no children or pets around the area.
• If possible, have someone else nearby that knows you are working on a jacked up vehicle.

Supplies

Instructions

1. 1st off, you'll need a level place to park your vehicle to work on it. Do so, but be sure to chock the tires on the opposite side of the vehicle being worked on. You don't want it rolling anywhere when you jack it up.


2. Obtain a quality jack and place it under the frame of the vehicle. Place some of the vehicle's weight on the jack, but not all. Do NOT lift the wheel off the ground yet.


3. Get yourself a quality wheel lug wrench or use the one that came with your vehicle. Make sure the size is right as one too large will possibly round each lug nut and you don't want that to happen. With the wheels still on the ground and holding some of the vehicle's weight, loosen each lug nut on the wheel or wheels that you want to change the bearing on.


4. After loosening all lugs, continue jacking the vehicle high enough to allow the tires not to touch the ground


5. Remove each lug and place them together in a nearby safe place.


6. Remove the tire and wheel from the axle.


7. Examine the axle and other related mechanicals now visible. Look for any out of the ordinary grease or oil. Take pictures if you like. (For this article, we will stay on topic and talk only about wheel bearing assembly).


8. What you are looking at now is the rotor. This item rotates because it is mounted on the wheel bearing assembly.


9. With the wheel removed, the rotor should pull off with a little work.


10. Now the wheel bearing assembly is in full view.


11. Remove the bolts on the backside and attempt to remove the assembly. It is probably stuck on quite well. Unplug the anti-lock brake wire before attempting to remove assembly.


12. Examine your new part to see if it looks like the old one. It must make sense or don't proceed until you get the right parts.


13. If the new part looks right, then prepare to use an air-chisel and/or hammer to make the part pry loose.


14. In my example, the the axle just pulled out of the assembly (as it was front wheel drive).


15. Put the new part in place and push the axle through the hole in the new part.


16. Install the bolts you removed earlier and tighten with large wratchet wrench. These must be tight!


17. Plug the anti-lock brake wire back into it's supply wire coming from the engine compartment.


18. Be sure never to get any oil or grease on the rotors or the pads as this will disturb the braking ability of your vehicle.


19. Place the rotor back on the assembly.


20. Install the wheel and hand tighten all lugs. Allow the vehicle to drop partially adding some weight to the wheels and then tighten all lugs evenly with lug wrench.


21. Remove jack. Drive car slowly and test the operation of your braking system and listen for any noise or unfamiliar sounds.