I am getting ready to replace a left front wheel bearing on a 2000 Cavalier. I have found several different methods of doing this between this forum and the Haynes manual and I am a bit confused. They range from very involved to very simple.
Haynes has you removing the stabilizer bar, ball joint and drive axle, another method shows to loosen the bottom of the strut assembly and drive axle and some say it is as simple as just removing the caliper and knocking the hub unit out without removing any of the other mentioned parts.
Just wandering why all the different methods and which is really the best.
The stabilizer bar? WHAT ! Just pull the wheel, remove the caliper, remove the rotor, remove the axle nut, pop the lower ball joint, remove the three bolts for the hub, pull the strut / steering knuckle ass. off the axle, knock off the old inner seal, tap the new onr in place, put the axle back thru the steering knuckle, install the new hub, torque bolts, install the new axle nut, torque it down, put the rotor back on, put the caliper bac on, put the wheel back on, pump up brakes and make sure they work, go for test drive, stop at store buy beer, drive home and drink one. You are now finished. EASY.
Any other questions please feel free to ask.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Sounds simple enough.
I like the beer part.
Thanks.
It really is that simple.
Trust me, if I can do it, you can. I know jack @!#$ about mechanical work.
Then again...my car did blow up the day after I did the replacement...I never did find out why.
Oh well, don't worry, I'm sure the same thing won't happen to you.
It helps removing the big nut with the car on the ground.
God bless America.
The beer part is the best part !! Its easy, relax and have fun its not that hard at all.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
ummm... I just did mine about 2 months ago. I just took the wheel, caliper and rotor off. then I loosened the axle nut and the 3 bolts. off it came. I didn't have to do all that other stuff. you don't have to take the knuckle off to replace the hub/bearing.
just a tip... if you buy the Timken ones, the little crush sleeve is not used.
Desert Tuners
“When you come across a big kettle of crazy, it’s best not to stir it.”
Z24 FReQ (Jarett) wrote:ummm... I just did mine about 2 months ago. I just took the wheel, caliper and rotor off. then I loosened the axle nut and the 3 bolts. off it came. I didn't have to do all that other stuff. you don't have to take the knuckle off to replace the hub/bearing.
just a tip... if you buy the Timken ones, the little crush sleeve is not used.
X2
Peter
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/\ /\ /\ /\ Did either of you replace the inner seal for the bearing hub that is located on the
inside of the steering knuckle ? If you didn't you do know you run the risk of pre-mature hub failure by allowing dirt and contaminents to get into that area. If you did replace the inner seal how did you do it ? No I'm not trying to start an arguement I'm just trying to find out if your telling him the right way to do this or the quick way. Replaceing the seal
is the correct way and the only way to do that is to pop the lower ball joint and pull the strut assembly over the axle to gain be able to remove and re-install the inner seal.
If you guys know another way to replace that seal without haveing to do that then PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE by all means shair this with the rest of us.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Dude, I just did mine Saturday. It's fricken easy, and you don't even need to pop the lower ball joint. remove the wheel (duh), the brake caliper and rotor, the three torx bolts, axle nut and washer, give it a few smacks with a hammer until it loosens up, and pull it off.
Opfer benotigt. Keine Erfahrung notwendig.
Victims needed. No experience necessary.
/\ /\ /\ Ok, i got that but I'm asking about is how did you replace the inner seal without poping the ball joint ???
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
I didn't. That seal is for the axle because according to the manual you're supposed to pull it. Since you don't actually have to pull the axle, there's no need for the seal.
Opfer benotigt. Keine Erfahrung notwendig.
Victims needed. No experience necessary.
That seal holds all the dirt and crud that you drive thru from getting kicked up into the steering knuckle's hole for the axle. The bearing on the hub does not have the same seal on the inside that it does on the outside because it relies on the seal you didn't replace. Sorry but I'd rather take the extra few minutes to do it the right way and not have any possible problems then ignore the fact that the inner seal is included with the hub when you buy it for a reason.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Understandable, but I never broke the seal si I dind't replace it.
Opfer benotigt. Keine Erfahrung notwendig.
Victims needed. No experience necessary.
Fair enough.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Hey guys,
What size is that axle nut?
Thanks.
Luis
ya I bought the timken bearing and I stared at the extra piece for a while and then determined its not needed. but its a really easy job, I had never done a wheel bearing before I just figured it out. Good luck!
i put the seal on mine when i changed it, given the price of the hub i'd rather do it once since there's 3 others that could go bad.
removing the ball join will require a ball joint removal tool or some care with a prybar. the ball joint hole and bolt are tapered and they're in there with some good force.
once the ball joint is apart the knuckle swings out of the way and the axle pops out. clean the surfaces up before putting the new seal in place.
14.82 @ 97 mph
I didn't remove the ball joint when i did it. Since those are a pain in the ass to get off. I did remove the axle, and to do that, you have to seperate the shock/spring from the steering knuckle. Then turn the steering knucle full to one side enought to bend out the axle. That is the most difficult part. With that out, you can replace the seal ALSO, DO NOT FORGET THE GREASE!. You're suppose to fill the area between the inner seal, and the wheel bearing with some wheel bearing grease. I have a tub of the stuff, looks like a red jelly. I would definatly replace the seal. And put lotsa grease in between there. I have replaced front bearings 3 times now. And with their price, you do not want to do it more then once.
Yes as Luis says, what size is the axle nut? I don't want to buy a bunch of impact sockets I don't need.
axle nut size is 30mm Deep impact socket.
