How to Change Front Wheel Bearings

When doing the brakes on a vehicle, one of the most common things to do is to remove the rotors and get them turned. With the rotors off, the wheel bearings are accessible and should be replaced. They also should be replaced if a squeaking noise is heard on rotation, because if a bearing seizes up, it can cause an accident. Replacing the bearings are fairly easy, but getting to them isn't always. In this example, we're going to replace the front wheel bearings on a 1995 Chevrolet Silverado, but the process is similar in many other vehicles.

Things You'll Need

• Jack
• Jack stands
• 1/2-inch ratchet and socket set
• Flathead screwdriver
• 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
• 1 foot of 14-gauge solid metal wire (a coat hanger will do in a pinch)
• Rubber mallet
• Cotter pin puller
• Seal puller
• Bearing grease
• Replacement bearings and seals

Instructions

1. Lift the front of the vehicle using the jack and secure it on the jackstands. Make sure that the front wheels are off of the ground and that the truck is secure before you crawl underneath it.

2. Remove the front wheels using the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket set. Place the wheels to the side of the vehicle, away from the workspace.

3. Unbolt the brake caliper using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set. Set it to the side and hang it using the metal wire (or coat hanger) tied to the frame. You don't want to let the caliper hang by the brake line or it may fail.

4. Pry the dustcap off of the center of the rotor using the flathead screwdriver. You may need to apply a tap or two with the rubber mallet to get it off.

5. Pull the cotter pin out of the castle nut that secures the rotor to the spindle using the cotter pin puller. Then unbolt the castle nut itself.

6. Place the flathead screwdriver inside of the area that was behind the nut and pull off the flat washer that protects the nut from the bearings.

7. Pull the rotor off of the vehicle and place it face down on the ground.

8. Pull the rear seal off of the rotor using the seal puller. To do so, place the hook end inside of the seal and apply leverage to pop it out of place.

9. Pull out the rear bearing using your fingers. It should just be resting in place.

10. Grab a handful of bearing grease and place it in the palm of your hand. Pack the replacement bearing by pressing it into the grease and turning it as you do so. The goal is to get the grease throughout all of the corners of the bearing, completely lubricating it in the process.

11. Place the greased bearing in the rotor in its original orientation. Then place the replacement seal on top and lightly tap it in place using the rubber mallet.

12. Flip the rotor over and remove the front wheel bearing. Repeat Step 10 with this bearing, then place it back in its original orientation.

13. Slide the rotor onto the spindle. Place the washer back onto the front bearing as it was before.

14. Tighten the castle nut all the way tight, then back it off a quarter turn until the cotter pin hole is in line.

15. Put the cotter pin in the hole in the castle nut and then pull back one of the tabs to secure it in place.

16. Tap the dustcap onto the rotor and reinstall the caliper in the reverse order of removal. Then place the wheel back on and lift the vehicle off of the jack stands.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be sure the vehicle is secure on the jack stands before you work underneath it. Never work on a vehicle that is just supported on a jack, as it could tip and fall.