Wheel Hub: Service and Repair

Fig. 2 Hub & Steering Knuckle Assembly:

Fig. 3 Separating Hub & Steering Knuckle Assembly From Halfshaft:

Fig. 4 Removing Bearing From Hub:

Fig. 5 Staking Axle Nut:

1. Raise and support front of vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
2. Using a suitable chisel, carefully raise staked portion of axle nut.
3. With brakes applied, remove and discard axle nut, Fig. 2.
4. Remove stabilizer to control arm attaching bolt.
5. Remove cotter pin and retaining nut, then separate tie rod end from steering knuckle using a suitable tool.
6. Remove U-clip attaching brake hose to strut unit.
7. Remove caliper assembly with brake hose attached and suspend from coil spring using wire.
8. Remove bolt retaining ball joint to steering knuckle, then pry downward on lower control arm to separate ball joint from steering knuckle.
9. Remove steering knuckle to strut unit attaching bolts, then slide hub and steering knuckle out of strut unit bracket and off end of halfshaft, Fig. 3. If hub and steering knuckle binds on halfshaft, tap end of halfshaft with a soft faced mallet. If halfshaft splines are rusted, a suitable two jawed or hub puller must be used to separate halfshaft from hub. Use care when separating, as damage to grease seals may result.
10. If bearings are to be replaced, proceed as follows:
a. Using tool No. T87C-1104-A, separate steering knuckle from hub and rotor.
b. Remove bearing preload spacer from hub and rotor assembly and position aside.
c. Place alignment marks on hub and rotor for use during installation, then remove rotor to hub attaching bolts and separate hub and rotor.
d. Using a suitable puller and bearing splitter, remove bearing from hub, Fig. 4.
e. After removing bearing, remove outer grease seal from hub.
f. Using a suitable screwdriver, remove inner grease seal from steering knuckle, then remove bearing.
g. If necessary, remove dust shield from steering knuckle.
h. Using tool No. T87C-1175-B, install dust shield on steering knuckle, if removed.
i. Pack bearings and hub cavity with lubricant C1AZ-1959D or equivalent. Also apply lubricant to seal lips prior to installation.
j. Place inner bearing on steering knuckle, then install inner grease seal using a suitable seal installer.
k. Install bearing preload spacer onto steering knuckle, then position bearing that was removed from hub onto steering knuckle.
l. Install outer grease seal onto steering knuckle using a suitable seal installer.
m. Position rotor to hub alignment marks, then install.
n. Press hub and rotor assembly onto steering knuckle.
11. Reverse procedure to install hub and knuckle assembly. Tighten axle nut to torque listed at the end of this section. After tightening axle nut, stake nut in place, Fig. 5. Tighten stabilizer link until .43 inch of thread extends beyond nut.