wheel bearing hub assembly

[heimlevi]

my right wheel bearing is going out and making very annoying noise. I am wondering if anyone here knows howto replace the whole hub assembly rather than just pressing in new bearings? Anyone done this before?
Thanks

[yotatechie04]

I'm more than sure it's been done before...and if you wish I can give you the instructions on how to remove the whole thing, but it might be cheaper just to go ahead and replace the bearings...they might even need re-greased or something. And then again, it might not even be the wheel bearings in the first place. A year ago, our Camry started squeaking insanely from the right front wheel, and everyone told me that it was the wheel bearings, but later on I discovered that the squeaking stopped once I put on the brakes. I figured it was the shims, so I took them off, and replaced them with new ones, and the squeaking stopped. It's hard to believe that the things that were put there to prevent noise actually cause noise after so long. But post back and let me know if you want those instructions or not.

[Brian R.]

What car are you referring to?

[heimlevi]

its a 93 camry 4cyl. It is not a sqeaking noise, its a loud humming noise that appears at about 40 and goes until about 75. Two mechanics both said it was wheel bearings. From what ive heard it is much easier to replace the whole hub assembly rather than trying to press in new bearings, besides i can't do that myself. Yes please if you have info on reomving hub please respond.
Thanks

[300+]

You will still need to have someone press in the new bearing. That should be $10-20. Or knock it out yourself. I don't know of anyone selling the hub for that. The bearing is $35. Hubs are usually much more.

[ProMan]

You should also check the hub to see if the shaft (the portion where goes into the bearing) is in good condition.

You can just replace the bearing. It's much cheaper. All you need is an oil press to get the hub and bearing in and out. You can ask if any shop is willing to do it for you.

[Brian R.]

To answer your original question:
Remove front wheel (76 ft-lbs)
Remove cotter pin and lock cap
Apply brakes and remove drive shaft lock nut (217 ft-lbs)
Remove two bolts for brake caliper and disc (79 ft-lbs)
Support caliper with wire
Remove ABS speed sensor (69 in-lbs)
Loosen (do not remove bolts) 2 nuts on lower side of shock (torque 156 ft-lbs) - oil nuts
Disconnect tie rod by loosening nut (cotter pin) and using puller (nut 36 ft-lbs)
Disconnect lower ball joint from lower arm by removing 2 nuts and bolts (94 ft-lbs)
Remove 2 nuts and bolts from lower end of shock
Remove steering knuckle with the axle hub (don't damage oil seal with the drive shaft)

Hub dissassembly
Remove dust deflector (4 bolts first) with screwdriver (74 in-lbs)
Remove lower ball joint with puller
Remove axle hub with puller

Hub Assembly
Install bearing with press and new snap ring
Install dust cover with 4 bolts
Install fron axle hub with press
Install lower ball joint with new cotter pin (90 ft-lbs)

Install dust deflector (align holes for ABS speed sensor in the dust deflector with those in the steering knuckle.

Reverse order of dissassembly

Check alignment

[yotatechie04]

Well I guess Brian beat me to the punch on that one...

couldn't have said it any better myself.

[Brian R.]

You've got to be fast around here...

[yotatechie04]

Very true...especially when someone's mode of transportation is relying on the information that we provide. (or plan to provide.)

[Brian R.]

No sense in replacing the hub. Have to install wheel bearings anyway.

[stryker9799]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

No sense in replacing the hub. Have to install wheel bearings anyway.

Be prepared though, I took my hub in to have the bearings pressed in and found out that i had to replace the hub as well. Of course i just got this car and have no idea how long it had been making the noise, so hopefully you caught youtd before it got that bad.