Hub Replacement '97 and Up Regal/Century

[BNaylor]

Applicable to '97-'04 Regal LS/GS and '97-'05 Century and other late model Buicks

Hub Replacement

Tools needed:

Hydraulic Jack
Jackstands
35mm or 36mm axle nut socket
15mm socket for brake caliper and bracket
13mm socket for hub bolts
1/2" drive breaker bar to remove axle nut
Torque wrench (lb-ft)

Directions

1. Jack the appropriate side of the car up. Make sure the rear wheels are blocked and/or set the parking brake. Use jackstand for safety.
2. Remove wheel.
3. Remove brake caliper and bracket.
4. Remove rotor.
5. Using 36mm axle socket, remove axle nut (counterclockwise). You will either need a long breaker bar. They are put on with a lot of torque. PBBlaster will help loosen up axle nut.
6. Push the axle back as far as possible. It won't come all the way out, but will become loose. You can either get a special tool called a hub puller that will push it out, or you can use a hammer but make sure not to hit the axle shaft threads and damage them. One way to protect them is to re-install old axle nut back on so it is flush or a few threads out with the top.
7. Disconnect the ABS wheel sensor connector and remove from the bracket.
8. Take a 13mm socket with extensions as needed and remove the 3 bolts on the backside of the bearing around the axle.
9. On my car the bearing just came loose and starting falling as soon as I got the last bolt halfway out. Otherwise you might have to pry it out.
10. Double check both parts to make sure they match.
11. Remove the metal clip from the old wheel bearing connector and put it on the new connector.
12. Install the bearing with the ABS wheel sensor wires from the bearing at the bottom. Make sure to replace that sheet metal between the spindle and wheel bearing. Make sure the wires don't get pinched by the driveshaft.
13. Install the 3 13mm bolts to 96 ft-lbs. Recommended to replace these bolts with new. AC Delco replacement hubs come with new hub to knuckle bolts with with pre-applied threadlocker.
14. Pull the axle shaft back through the hub/bearing assembly making sure the splines line up.
15. Install the axle nut (clockwise). Recommended to get a new one. As you tighten it down it will pull the driveshaft the rest of the way in. Torque axle nut with a torque wrench to GM Factory Service Manual specs for your year or the figure specified by the hub manufacturer. The axle nut torque figure varies. For example for 1999 Regal/Century models it is 119 lb-ft per GM.
16. Install the disc rotor, caliper bracket and caliper.
17. Install the ABS wheel sensor connector to the bracket and reconnect both connectors.
18. Install the wheel. Torque lug nuts in a star pattern at 100 ft-lbs each.
19. Roadtest and ensure no ABS or TRAC OFF lights are illuminated.



Front Hub Bearing Assembly w/ABS Rear View



Front Hub Bearing Asembly w/ABS Front View