Front Wheel Bearing / Hub Assembly Replacement

Procedure

1. 1
   Step

   Remove the splash shield.

2. 2
   Step

   If the hub is seized in the knuckle bore due to galvanic corrosion, use a hub puller, slide hammer, or dedicated hub press tool.

3. 3
   Step

   Clean corrosion from the knuckle bore with a wire wheel/brush.

4. 4
   Step

   The steering knuckle remains on the vehicle during front hub and bearing replacement.

5. 5
   Step

   The unitized hub and bearing assembly is serviced on-vehicle by removing the brake caliper, brake caliper adapter, brake rotor, axle shaft nut (if 4WD), wheel speed sensor, and the hub mounting bolts from the inboard side of the knuckle

6. 6
   Step

   Chock rear wheels, loosen front lug nuts (22mm socket) while on the ground.

7. 7
   Step

   Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands.

8. 8
   Step

   Remove wheel assembly.

9. 9
   Step

   Brake caliper, bracket, and rotor removal. Lift the complete caliper and bracket assembly off the rotor and support it using a caliper hanger or bungee cord to avoid stressing the flexible brake hose.

10. 10
    Step

    Remove the brake rotor from the hub face.

11. 11
    Step

    4WD axle nut removal and halfshaft spline push-back. If the CV axle shaft splines are tight in the hub, push the axle inward using a brass punch or hub puller tool.

12. 12
    Step

    If additional articulation is required to free the axle stub, separate the upper ball joint from the knuckle.

13. 13
    Step

    New hub installation, torqueing, and reassembly. Apply anti-seize to the knuckle bore and CV shaft splines (do not contaminate the tone ring or bolt threads).

14. 14
    Step

    Position the dust shield and mount the new hub assembly.

15. 15
    Step

    On 4WD, install a new axle nut and torque to 185 lb-ft (251 N·m).

16. 16
    Step

    Support the removed or displaced caliper independently -- from the structure, a fixture, or a dedicated hanger. Never let its weight rest on, or hang from, the flexible brake hose. For this vehicle, verified research describes: Lift the complete caliper and bracket assembly off the rotor and support it using a caliper hanger or bungee cord to avoid stressing the flexible brake hose.

17. 17
    Step

    Raise the vehicle and support it on jack stands (or a lift) rated for its weight before working underneath it. Do not work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.

18. 18
    Step

    Support a freed CV axle or halfshaft once it is out of the hub. Do not let it hang unsupported by its own weight -- the inner plunge joint can overextend or separate. For this vehicle, verified research describes: Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands.

19. 19
    Step

    When pressing a wheel bearing or hub assembly, apply press force only to the race or part being installed, with the opposite race and the housing properly supported underneath. Never press force through an unsupported bearing race.

20. 20
    Step

    Separate a ball joint using a proper separator -- a puller, a correctly used pickle fork, or a press -- not a hammer. Control the joint's range of motion as it releases so nearby components are not damaged or dropped.

Gotchas

• Sources disagree on Front brake caliper guide pin / slide bolt torque: 24 lb-ft and 32 lb-ft. This factory does not choose between them. Confirm the figure against service information for your exact configuration before tightening anything.
• Sources disagree on Front wheel lug nut torque: 130 lb-ft and 140 lb-ft. This factory does not choose between them. Confirm the figure against service information for your exact configuration before tightening anything.