Front Wheel Bearing / Hub Assembly Replacement

Procedure

1. 1
   Step

   To free a corroded unit bearing hub from the knuckle bore, back out the three hub mounting bolts several turns (leaving sufficient thread engagement) and tap the bolt heads with a hammer and drift to push the hub out of the knuckle, or attach an external hub puller / slide hammer to the hub flange.

2. 2
   Step

   Do not pry against or chisel into the machined knuckle bore mating surfaces, do not strike the axle shaft / u-joint assembly, and do not bend the brake dust shield or damage the wheel speed sensor.

3. 3
   Step

   For solid front axle service, support the vehicle with jack stands positioned under the front axle tubes (near the lower control arm / spring brackets) or under the boxed frame rails behind the front suspension if suspension droop is desired.

4. 4
   Step

   Before lowering the vehicle to the ground, the unit bearing hub, brake dust shield, 3 hub-to-knuckle mounting bolts (75 ft-lbs / 102 N·m), axle stub shaft nut (100 ft-lbs / 136 N·m), brake rotor, brake caliper/adapter, and wheel speed sensor wiring harness must be completely installed and torqued to specification so bearing preloads are set before bearing assemblies carry vehicle weight.

5. 5
   Step

   Chock rear wheels.

6. 6
   Step

   Raise front solid axle and support securely on jack stands placed under the axle tube.

7. 7
   Step

   Remove front wheel.

8. 8
   Step

   Lift caliper and bracket assembly off the rotor and support it with a mechanic's hook or bungee to the chassis/spring

9. 9
   Step

   never hang by the flexible rubber brake hose.

10. 10
    Step

    Slide brake rotor off the wheel studs.

11. 11
    Step

    Unplug the front wheel speed sensor harness connector located behind the inner fender liner / frame rail and release the harness retaining clips along the knuckle and brake hose.

12. 12
    Step

    Remove the three 12-point 13mm hub-to-knuckle bolts from the rear of the steering knuckle (turning steering lock-to-lock aids access).

13. 13
    Step

    Withdraw the hub assembly and brake splash shield from the knuckle bore while the axle shaft remains seated in the axle housing.

14. 14
    Step

    Scrape and wire-brush rust scale from the knuckle bore and axle shaft splines.

15. 15
    Step

    Apply a thin film of anti-seize to the knuckle bore mating surface (avoiding tone ring and sensor port).

16. 16
    Step

    Position the dust shield and slide new unit bearing over axle shaft splines.

17. 17
    Step

    Install three 13mm hub bolts with medium thread locker and torque to 75 lb-ft (102 Nm).

18. 18
    Step

    Reconnect sensor harness.

19. 19
    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: For solid front axle service, support the vehicle with jack stands positioned under the front axle tubes (near the lower control arm / spring brackets) or under the boxed frame rails behind the front suspension if suspension droop is desired.

20. 20
    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.

21. 21
    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: For solid front axle service, support the vehicle with jack stands positioned under the front axle tubes (near the lower control arm / spring brackets) or under the boxed frame rails behind the front suspension if suspension droop is desired.

Gotchas

• Sources disagree on Front Axle Nut Socket Size: 35mm and 36mm. This factory does not choose between them. Confirm the figure against service information for your exact configuration before tightening anything.