axle bearings

How to Fix Rear Axle Bearings

Introduction

Rear axle bearings, or wheel bearings, are the part of the vehicle that let the wheel turn easily. Rear axle bearings take some of the weight and responsibility away from the axles. You will know that your bearings need to be replaced if you hear a grinding or whining noise when the vehicle is moving. Rear axle bearings are one structure made of many parts that can be easily removed. Every vehicle is different so research the best way to fix your specific vehicle’s rear axle bearings.

Difficulty: Difficult

Things You'll Need:

- Wheel blocks

- Tire wrench

- Jack

- Jack stands

- New wheel bearing hub

Instructions

Step 1

Put the front wheels on wheel blocks. Use a tire wrench to loosen the lug nuts. This is accomplished by rotating the lugs 45 degrees in the counterclockwise direction.

Step 2

Elevate the vehicle by putting a jack under the back jackpoints and lift up. The rear jackpoints might be pinch welds below the passenger doors or they might be spots under the vehicle. Rest the vehicle on jack stands.

Step 3

Pull off the remaining lug nuts and remove the wheel. Take off the bolts that keep the brake caliper in its place. Remove the caliper from the break rotor and fasten it to the coil springs which are found above the brake system. Remove the brake rotor disc from the hub.

Step 4

Use an impact wrench to take the hub nut off. Make sure the thrust washer behind the hub nut comes off too. Take off the wheel hub from the rear wheel.

Step 5

Put in a new wheel bearing hub. Use a torque wrench to tighten the hub nut to 70-80 lbs-ft. Find out what setting is right for your vehicle.

Step 6

Put the rotor back in place. Cut the zip-ties. Place the caliper back on top of the rotor. The caliper bolts need to be tightened to 35-56 lbs-ft. Find out what setting is right for your vehicle.

Step 7

Reattach the wheel to the vehicle. Let the vehicle rest back on the ground. The lug nuts need to be tightened to 75-105 lbs-ft. Find out what setting is right for your vehicle.

Tip

Check your owner’s manual for information about your vehicle’s specifications.

Warning

Vehicles can be heavy. You may want to ask another person to help you jack the car up.

2 Car Pros: Repair Topics / Axle Bearing

http://www.2carpros.com/topics/bearing.htm