mikey1

i need to remove my steering knuckle tonight to replace a wheel bearing, any tips on doing this job? it looks fairly straight forward, i do have the tool to snap the balljoint free,

pisses me off cause i just did my pads and rotors recently, now that needs to come back off, oh well,

after i re-install the knuckle im assuming i will probably need an alignment done?

ezone

What does your service manual say?

I'd HATE to tell you about any shortcuts that aren't in your service manual. LOL


Tips? Tricks? Are you serious? YOU? Mr. Bythebook?


Can't tell if this affects you or not:
Most of the time here we don't even try to remove the ABS speed sensor (if you have one) because it is either seized by rust or the bolt just snaps right off. We just unplug it from the engine compartment and feed the wire through. Work around it on the press.


Use a small chisel to lift up the punched lock on the axle nut so you don't tear it out when you spin it off. This makes it easier to reuse the axle nut.


A "Hub Shark" tool is a fantastic thing, but expensive. Also, it is not "by the book" so I can't tell you anything about it because "I don't use it".


If you are doing the presswork yourself, slice and whack (cutoff wheel and chisel) the inner bearing race to get it off of the hub. Fast.

pisses me off cause i just did my pads and rotors recently, now that needs to come back off, oh well,

Oh, like that's a big deal or something. 2 bolts and 2 screws. Waah.


after i re-install the knuckle im assuming i will probably need an alignment done?

I always put it on the list. You will be real close just bolting it back together, but there is always a bit of slop in the strut bolts that will alter the alignment. You can move camber by approx. 1/2 degree, and toe changes right along with that.




(I wonder what would happen if you hit Ctrl+A on this post? Gee, I wonder.....)

Matt_75

Good to know. I haven't had a wheel bearing issue yet(knock on wood), but all that is good info.

I wonder how many people who read this are gonna be like what in the fack is he talking about.

johndeerebones

ezone, how did you do that? LOL.

Yes, the job is not hard save the pain in the butt BJ (insert giggles). You will need an alignment, mark it so you get it atleast close until you can get it to get an alignment. I'm a diy guy by heart, but won't attempt a driveway alignment

ezone

Ancient Chinese secret.

Matt_75

*****.

That ain't no chinese secret.

mikey1

thanks,

got it off, pretty simple,

installing the new bearing and lower ball joint today,

hopefully have it all back together this afternoon

mikey1

you are either very lucky, or have low mileage, or a combination of both....i have had both my front bearings go now, one around 110,000 miles, and this one now at 155,000 miles

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

Check my signature... Ball joint DIY it will outline how to do the job.

mikey1

thanks,

got it all back together today, replaced wheel bearing and lower ball joint, running perfect and no more "wheel bearing humming/moaning" noise

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

Great, that is rather annoying .. Mine was making noise for like 2 years I chocked it up to wheels but it was my bearings.

mikey1

yeah, sometimes the noise isnt too bad at first and hard to hear and gets louder very gradually, my first bearing i think i let go about 6 months before i replaced it,

but this time i knew right away what it was, even though the noise was still extremely quiet, because i had already experienced the first wheel bearing, so i knew exactly what it sounded like,