Wheel bearing repair [AUTODOC TUTORIAL]

How to change wheel bearing on a car – replacement tutorial

Required Tools:

                      Flat screwdriver
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Wheel impact socket
                    
                      Impact socket
                    
                      Ceramic grease
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Jack
                    
                      Line stoppers 
                    
                      Circlip pliers

Buy tools

Please note!

The wheel bearing allows the wheel hub to be mounted, aligned, and rotate freely on the axle
A typical sign of wheel bearing failure is a humming noise that gets louder when turning

1.

Lift up the car using a jack, jack stands, and wheel chocks; Or use a car lift
2.

Remove the wheel and any parts of the brake system that obstruct access to the bearing
3.

Familiarise yourself with the bearing’s design

There are several types of wheel hub bearings
Single row ball bearings and tapered roller bearings (GEN-0)Dual row bearings (GEN-1)Bearings equipped with a flange with mounting holes (GEN-2)Wheel hub assembly (GEN-3)
4.

The wheel hub bearing assembly (GEN-3) on the drive axle is attached to the steering knuckle
5.

In order to access its fasteners you need to disconnect the CV axle

AUTODOC experts recommend:
The CV axle fastener is easier to unscrew with the car on its wheels
6.

Depending on the car design it may be necessary to dismount the complete steering knuckle
7.

It needs to be disconnected from the suspension strut, control arms, and steering components
8.

Disconnect the ball joint and the CV axle
9.

Move the CV axle aside
10.

Use a jack to support the steering knuckle or attach it to the ball joint
11.

Clean all fasteners

AUTODOC recommends:
Tap the fasteners with a hammer to make them easier to unscrew
12.

Unscrew the wheel hub bearing fastener
13.

Remove the bearing from its seat on the steering knuckle

Please note!
If removal is difficult, additional tools may be required
14.

Clean the mounting seats
15.

Proceed carefully, especially if there is an ABS sensor
16.

Be sure to use new fasteners
17.

Coat the mounting surface of the bearing with a corrosion inhibitor
18.

Tighten the bolts one by one, crosswise
19.

A GEN-2 (flange) bearing is normally fitted in the wheel hub, which is mounted to the axle

Important!
A special puller may be needed to remove the bearing from the axle
20.

Clean the hub bearing mounting seat
21.

When installing this type of bearing, you should only exert force on the inner ring
22.

If the bearing is mounted on one of the drive wheels, it is necessary to dismount the wheel hub bearing assembly
23.

In this case, the bearing is attached to the steering knuckle. The wheel hub needs to be pressed out of it
24.

Replacing the double row bearing (GEN-1) requires dismounting the steering knuckle
25.

In order to dismantle this assembly, first push the wheel hub from the other side to press it out, and after gaining access to the bearing, press that out, too
26.

Use the press to apply the necessary force and proceed with precision
27.

Position the steering knuckle on its load-bearing points to prevent deformation
28.

When pressing the wheel hub out from the inner bearing ring, only apply pressure on the wheel hub
29.

Determine the diameter of the wheel hub and use the appropriate sized driver

Please note!
If the inner ring remains on the wheel hub axle, you will need a special puller in order to remove it
30.

To press the bearing outer ring out of the steering knuckle, use the appropriate sized driver or the old inner ring
31.

When pressing the wheel hub into the bearing, apply pressure only against the inner ring
32.

Clean the work area, the mounting seats of the bearing, fasteners, and snap ring
33.

One side of the bearing may contain an ABS sensor magnetic ring In that case, install it in the correct position, with the magnetic ring facing the ABS sensor
34.

Make sure the bearing is level before pressing it in. Use a driver with the appropriate diameter or the old outer ring
35.

Press the bearing all the way in
36.

Press the inner ring on the wheel hub axle

Please note!
If no press is available, the replacement can be carried out with a slide hammer or a puller
37.

Use appropriate sized drivers and a puller to remove the bearing from the steering knuckle
38.

Single row bearings (GEN-0) are normally installed in pairs in one wheel hub
39.

To press out the bearing rings, you need drivers with the appropriate diameter
40.

Apply a suitable lubricant liberally to the bearings and their seats
41.

The bearings need to be adjusted to the correct preload during installation

Caution!
Insufficient preload may cause play in the bearingExcessive preload may cause the bearing to overheat during operationThe preload should be checked again and if necessary adjusted after driving 50 to 100 km