Wheel Bearing: Service and Repair

WHEEL BEARING - 2WD

Removal

Caution:
^ Sodium-based grease is not compatible with lithium-based grease. Do not intermix. Do not lubricate wheel bearings without first thoroughly cleaning all old grease from the bearing. Use of incompatible bearing lubricants could result in premature lubricant breakdown.

Note:
^ If bearing adjustment will not eliminate looseness or rough and noisy operation, the hub and bearings should be cleaned, inspected and repacked with the appropriate wheel bearing grease. If the bearing cups or the cone and roller assemblies are worn or damaged, they should be replaced.

1. Raise the vehicle until the tire clears the floor.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the caliper and wire to the underbody to prevent damage to the brake hose.
4. Remove the grease cap from the hub and rotor.
5. Remove the cotter pin, retainer, adjusting nut and flatwasher from the spindle.
^ Discard the cotter pin.
6. Remove the wheel bearing.
7. Pull the hub and rotor assembly off the spindle.

Note:
^ Perform the following steps if the original hub and rotor assembly are to be reinstalled.

8. Remove and discard the grease seal.
9. Remove the bearing cone and roller from the hub and rotor.
10. Clean the inner and outer bearing cups with solvent. Inspect the cups for scratches, pits, excessive wear and other damage.
^ Replace any worn or damaged parts.
11. Remove all loose dirt and dust from the hub and rotor. Wipe all old lubricant from the spindle and the inside of the hub and rotor.
12. Cover the spindle with a clean cloth, and brush all loose dust and dirt from the front disc brake rotor shield.
13. Carefully remove the cloth from the spindle to prevent dirt from failing onto the spindle.

Installation
1. Thoroughly clean old grease from the surrounding surfaces. If a new hub and rotor are being installed, remove the protective coating.

Note:
^ If a packer is not available, work as much grease as possible between the rollers and cages. Grease the cone surfaces.

2. Pack the bearing cone and roller assemblies with appropriate grease.
3. Place the bearing cone and roller assembly in the inner cup. A light film of grease should be included between the lips of the new grease seal. Additional grease may be added to the new grease seal if required.

Caution:
^ When installing seal, be sure it is property seated.

4. Install the seal.

Note:
^ When installing hub and rotor, keep the hub centered on the spindle to prevent damage to the retainer and the spindle threads.

5. Install the hub and rotor on the spindle.
6. Install the wheel bearing assembly and flatwasher on the spindle.
7. Install the adjusting nut. Adjust wheel bearing.
8. Install retainer, new cotter pin and grease cap.
9. Install caliper.
10. Install wheel and tire assembly.

Warning:
^ Retighten lug nuts to specification at 800 km (500 miles). Failure to retighten lug nuts at mileages specified could allow the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion, possibly causing loss of vehicle control or collision. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

11. Lower vehicle and tighten lug nuts.
^ Tightening torque 135 N-m (13.8 kgf-m, 100 ft-lbf)
12. Install the wheel cover, if equipped.
13. Before driving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal several times to restore normal brake pedal travel.