Wheel Hub: Service and Repair
FRONT WHEEL HUB/BEARING- Tools Required
- J 29117-A Wheel Bearing Cup Remover
Removal Procedure
1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Remove the brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
4. Remove the dust cap from the wheel hub.
5. Remove the cotter pin, the wheel hub nut, the washer, and the outer wheel bearing.
6. Remove the wheel hub and bearing from the steering knuckle.
7. Remove the inner wheel bearing seal.
Pry out the seal and discard.
8. Remove the inner wheel bearing from the wheel hub.
9. Remove the inner and the outer bearing races using the J29117-A.
Notice: Do not spin the wheel bearings with compressed air to dry them-the wheel bearings may be damaged.
10. Clean any grease from the wheel hub, the spindle, and the wheel bearings using clean solvent and a small brush with no loose bristles.
11. Inspect the rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Surface and Wear Inspection in Brakes and Traction Control.
12. Check the wheel bearings and the races for damage or wear. Refer to Wheel Bearings Diagnosis (Sealed) or Wheel Bearings Diagnosis (Tapered).
Installation Procedure
1. Using a brass drift, install the bearing races into the wheel hub.
Important:
- Use an approved high-temperature front wheel bearing grease. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.
- Do not mix the greases. Mixing may change the properties of each grease used, resulting in poor performance.
2. Apply a thin film of grease to the spindle at the outer and the inner wheel bearing seat, the shoulder, and the seal seat.
3. Apply a small quantity of grease inboard of each wheel bearing cup inside the wheel hub.
Notice: Failure to completely pack the wheel bearing (cones, rollers, and cage) with grease will result in premature wheel bearing damage and/or wear.
4. Fill the wheel bearing, cone and roller assemblies, full of grease.
- Use a cone-type grease packer that forces grease into the bearing. If a cone-type grease packer is not available, pack the wheel bearings by hand.
- If the wheel bearings are packed by hand, work the grease into the bearings between the rollers, the cones, and the cage.
5. Install the inner wheel bearing to the wheel hub. Apply an additional quantity of grease outboard of this wheel bearing.
6. Install a new inner wheel bearing seal.
6.1. Use a flat-surfaced tool in order to install the inner wheel bearing seal so that the seal is flush with the wheel hub flange.
6.2. Lubricate the inner wheel bearing seal lip with a thin layer of grease.
7. Install the wheel hub. Do not damage the spindle threads.
8. Install the outer wheel bearing. Press on the spindle until the wheel bearing fully seats against the wheel hub outer bearing.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
9. Install the wheel hub washer and the nut.
- Tighten the wheel hub nut to 16 Nm (12 ft. lbs.), while turning the wheel assembly forward.
10. Apply an additional quantity of grease outboard of the wheel bearing.
11. Adjust the wheel bearings. Refer to Wheel Bearing Adjustment.
12. Install the cotter pin.
13. Install the cap on the wheel hub.
14. Install the brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
15. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
16. Lower the vehicle.